1. education
2. alumni and reunions

June 2011 . Issue 04
Cross
&
Crescent
a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication
Copyright © 2011 Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. All rights reserved.
Chapter News 1
Chapter News, Alumni News,
and Omegas
Fraternity News 24
New ELCs and IHQ Staff
Updates
Fraternity News 26
Modeling the Way
TRUE Brother 29
Heroic Rescue
12
A FATHER & SON LEGACY
To celebrate Father’s Day, a father and son share their story about having the
special bond of brotherhood. The father is Matt Rose (Missouri 1980), a
Gamma-Kappa alumni brother and the CEO and chairman of BNSF
Railway. His son is Phil Rose (Texas Christian 2011), the former
Iota-Pi chapter president and a 2011 graduate from Texas Christian
University.
By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)
15
A MASTER OF SURF, TACOS & VIBE
Wing G. Lam (San Diego State 1984), co-owner of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos,
talks about his time in Lambda Chi and how it helped him achieve success.
With 50 locations, the Wahoo’s story begins in 1988, when three brothers,
Wing, Ed and Mingo, combined their love of surf and food to create a
restaurant with an eclectic Mexican/Brazilian/Asian menu and a Hawaiian
north-shore vibe.
By Thomas Roberts (Edinboro)
18
CELEBRATING 95 YEARS AT GEORGIA
In this, our final chapter feature of the academic year, we go to Athens,
Georgia, home of the Bulldogs of the University of Georgia.
ByJon Williamson (Maryland)
CREDITS
CONTRIBUTIONS
Publisher: Bill Farkas
Editor-in-Chief: Tad Lichtenauer
Asst Editors,
Graphic Design: Thomas Roberts
Salvador Lievanos
Photographer: Walt Moser
Research: Jon Williamson
Historian: Mike Raymond
Editors:
Jono Hren
Bob McLaughlin
Content for consideration should be submitted
by the 25th of the month (except Dec./Aug.).
Lambda Chi Alpha
8741 Founders Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46268-1338
(317) 872-8000
[email protected]
www.lambdachi.org
www.crossandcrescent.com
a lifetime of true brotherhood
www.crossandcrescent.com
Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Chapter News
Chapter news, alumni news, and reports of death
Akron (Gamma-Alpha)
twice by professional groups during the past month for his
career-long support of the First Amendment to the U.S.
Constitution, particularly its Freedom of Speech Clause, which
some experts consider to be the linchpin of the entire Bill of
Rights. Before he came to Troy in 1991, he practiced law
in Montgomery. Prior to that, he served as president of the
University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama, from 1977-88.
This summer the chapter will hold an officer retreat, Family Day,
and Chi Games. The chapter is sending eight brothers to the
2011 Stead Leadership Seminar, including the chapter president,
vice president, fraternity educator, social chairman, and TRUE
Brother steward. Chapter brothers were elected president to
the following organizations: Akron Advertising Federation,
Order of Omega, Gamma Sigma Alpha, and Zips Programming
Network. The chapter raised more than $2,000 for the 39th
Annual Bathtub Pull donating all of the proceeds to the Akron
Rotary Club that helps special-needs children go to camp.
Bradley (Kappa-Upsilon)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for six
new members on April 16, 2011. The chapter collected 27,783
pounds of food this semester for the Peoria Food Bank on behalf
of the North American Food Drive. For the spring semester,
the chapter completed 480 philanthropy hours, more than
any other fraternity on campus. The chapter also performed
388 hours of community service, finishing second amongst
fraternities, and fourth amongst all Greek organizations.
Brown (Iota)
A World War II veteran, Bill Flanagan (http://darien.
patch.com/articles/bill-flanagan-named-grand-marshalof-memorial-day-parade) served as the grand marshal for
the Memorial Day Parade in Darien, Connecticut. After a
successful career as an attorney, he then served Darien on the
Planning and Zoning Commission, including two years as its
chairman. He also served on the Monuments and Ceremonies
Commission. He has been very active in the Darien Senior
Men’s Association and served as its president 2000-2001.
Angelo State (Beta-Alpha)
The chapter finished first in the 2011 Greek Week
competition. The chapter won the IFC sports competition.
Butler (Alpha-Alpha)
Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)
Tim Queisser (http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/
article?AID=2011105060343) (1977), owner of the Snooty
Fix restaurant in Indianapolis, was featured in a recent episode
of the Food Network program Restaurant: Impossible. The
show entails having celebrity chef Robert Irvine spend two
days and $10,000 to make-over a struggling restaurant.
The chapter is undergoing a major fundraising effort to
provide extensive improvements to the house. The Walton
alumni brothers (S. Robson Walton and Jim C. Walton)
are matching the fundraising effort up to $1 million.
Auburn (Omega)
Dr. Jim Vickrey (1964), professor of speech communication
at Troy University’s Montgomery Campus, has been honored
www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) served as the keynote
speaker and reflected on the Fraternity’s history, specifically
recounting several memories of how the undergraduate
experience has changed, and how Lambda Chi Alpha has
proven to be a leader in the Greek movement. Fraternity
Board Treasurer Gregg Behrens (Iowa State 1974) also spoke;
providing an educational overview of Lambda Chi Alpha
today and presenting Lambda Chi Alpha’s strategic plan.
California-Los Angeles (Epsilon-Sigma)
The colony brothers received their new charter on April 16, 2011.
Cal Poly (Phi-Sigma)
On May 7, 2011, chapter brothers assisted the San Luis
Obispo Special Olympics at Cuesta College by providing
support and encouragement to the athletes. In some cases, the
brothers ran beside the participants, helping them to finish.
After the event, the brothers helped with the cleanup.
Colorado (Gamma-Mu)
An alumni brother reunion dinner will be held on September
30, 2011. Additional plans are to attend the Colorado vs.
Washington State football game on October 1, 2011. For more
information, please contact Paul Moore at [email protected].
Cornell (Omicron)
Michael Buckler (http://www.frommicrosofttomalawi.com/)
(1996) has written a book, “From Microsoft to Malawi:
Learning on the Front Lines as a Peace Corps Volunteer.”
In late 2006, after working as a patent litigator in Portland,
Oregon, primarily for Microsoft, Buckler left his law firm
to become a Peace Corps volunteer in rural Malawi. The
book is a college fundraiser for the three students he lived
with. Each has passed the college entrance examination but
none has the resources to attend. Today, Buckler lives in
Washington, DC, and works for the National Park Service.
Cal State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)
Denison (Gamma-Iota)
Jonathan Bonilla and Neil Sanchez were inducted into the
Order of Omega honor society, recognizing their outstanding
academic excellence and campus leadership. The chapter received
awards for Recruitment and New Member Programming
and Campus Involvement. In addition, University Adviser
Christopher Aston received Fraternity Adviser of the Year Award.
Chapter brothers participated in Pi Beta Phi’s event, Pi Phi
Palooza, to raise money for First Book, an organization that
helps underprivileged children learn to read. Chapter brothers
participated in Kappa Sigma’s dance-a-thon to raise money for
Military Heroes. Chapter brothers participated in Beta Theta Pi’s
event, King of the Wing, a wing eating contest to raise money
for the local Center for Disability Services. Chapter brothers
participated in Kappa Alpha Theta’s annual softball tournament
to raise money for Court Appointed Special Advocates.
Central Michigan (Lambda-Omega)
Chapter brothers won the floor hockey championship, their
third intramural championship this academic year. The other
two events were flag football and softball. At the Chicago
Alumni Reception, more than 47 alumni brothers attended
the networking session and reception held on May 4, 2011,
at the University Club of Chicago. Executive Vice President
www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa Colony)
Eastern Michigan (Sigma-Kappa)
The colony held its annual meeting, and voting results can be
found on the chapter website (http://www.ekzalumni.com/).
The undergraduate brothers would like to thank all the alumni
brothers who attended the meeting to discuss the current state
and future of the colony as well as those who took the time
to submit absentee ballots. Improving significantly from last
year, the colony placed fourth out of 11 fraternities in the
2011 Greek Week competition. Ryan Pratt will serve on this
summer’s International Ritual Team. The colony earned two
awards from the Fraternity and Sorority Life: Brotherhood and
Service to the Community. John J. Bacica (http://www.legacy.
com/obituaries/tcpalm/obituary.aspx?n=john-j-bacica&pid=1
38703987&fhid=10592) (1950) died January 12, 2010. Prior
to retirement he was a sales engineer for Gates Rubber Co. in
Peoria, Illinois, and York, Pennsylvania, for 23 years. A former
chapter president, Bacica served in the U.S. Army during World
War II. Harry J. Gorman (http://hosting-tributes-1611.tributes.
com/show/Harry-Gorman-88808462) (1948) of Hockessin,
DE, formerly of Wilmington, died June 23, 2010. He served
in the U.S. Army during World War II and later went to work
with Delaware Power and Light before joining the DuPont
Co. in the Purchasing Department. He retired as director of
materials and logistics purchasing after 38 years with DuPont.
Eighty-seven alumni brothers attended the 34th Annual
Canoe Trip on the Rifle River in Sterling, Michigan. The
brotherhood event also included a golf tournament and alumni
meeting where alumni association officer elections were held.
Edinboro (Beta-Delta)
Frank S. Purrachio (1982) has established the Frank “Pizza”
Purrachio Lambda Chi Alpha Scholarship. A member
of the chapter’s Alumni Advisory Board, he ensures that
the chapter provides experiences to complement higher
education by providing young men with opportunities for
academic achievement, leadership development, and lifelong
friendships. The photo shows Purrachio, Edinboro President
Jeremy D. Brown, Chris Vizzini (2011), Josh Bow (2010),
Paul Wilson, and current chapter President Alex Burdis.
Drury (Theta-Sigma)
Dr. Eltjen Flikkema (http://newsroom.drury.edu/dunews/
index.php/2011/05/06/a-long-time-drury-professor-says-aufwiedersehen-after-nearly-four-decades/), professor of German
at Drury University for almost 40 years, has retired. After
earning his Ph.D. at Michigan State, Flikkema joined Drury’s
faculty in 1972, expecting to stay for one year as a professor
of German. He soon found that Drury suited him well. He
has held several positions, including: director of admission,
assistant dean, and chair of the Languages Department. He
also was the first director of the Drury Honors Program.
Eastern Illinois (Phi-Alpha)
Elmhurst (Pi-Zeta)
John D. Schmitt, CFRE, (1976) was made president-elect
of the Chicago chapter of the Association of Fundraising
Professionals. The Chicago chapter is the largest chapter
in the United States with more than 1,000 members.
Schmitt’s term as president will begin in January 2012.
www.crossandcrescent.com
On April 30, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual
Exemplifcation for James Critchfield Jr., the son of alumni
brother James Critchfield Sr., and grandson of alumni
brother Clint Eugene Critchfield. Critchfield, Sr. attended
his son’s Initiation and then celebrated with all the brothers.
Brothers Eric Lodewyck and Chris Puenner also were
initiated. Jacob Meding was elected SGA president, which
is the third time in nine years a Lambda Chi has held the
office. Succeeding Romison Saint-Louis, Mark Weeden
was named president of Habitat for Humanity, one of the
largest student organizations on campus. Saint-Louis also
received the Founder’s Award for excellence in academic
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Gettysburg College (Theta-Pi)
achievement and significant contributions to campus life and
the Elmhurst community. This is the highest award available to
any Elmhurst College student. Succeeding Chris Kichka, Ryan
Lauth was elected IFC president. John Campolo and Chris
Kichka were inducted into the Order of Omega. Campolo was
also asked to join the business honorary Delta Mu Delta.
The chapter held a Ritual Initiation Exemplification for
seven new brothers.The chapter held its annual North
American Food Drive philanthropy and raised more than
1,400 pounds of food and $600. Two chapter brothers were
accepted into Order of Omega, the Greek honor society. The
chapter is hosting an alumni reunion weekend from June
2-5, 2011, which will include an open house, a Housing
Corporation meeting, and a barbeque. Please check the
chapter website (http://www.gettysburg.edu/alumni/events_
reunions/reunion_weekend.dot) for more information.
Florida (Epsilon-Mu)
William E. Martin Jr. (http://www.bdcnetwork.com/
winner-40/24136) (1996) was named to Building Design
+ Construction Magazine’s 40 Under 40 Award. He is an
associate principal with SchenkelShultz Architecture in
Orlando, Florida. He also serves as president of the Lambda
Chi Alpha Central Florida Area Alumni Association.
Incarnate Word (Pi-Epsilon)
The chapter held its annual White Rose Gala,
which included the installation of 12 new officers
and a new chapter adviser, Alan Psencik.
Florida Southern (Epsilon-Xi)
The chapter reported the following results for officer elections:
Alan Silva, president; Erik Silvola, vice president-internal;
Brian Guerra, vice president-external; Stephen Bell, secretary;
Dave Del Col, treasurer; Jared Goodwin, harm reduction,
Eric Gallotto, fraternity educator; Alex Parsons, recruitment
chairman; Mitch Varnum, ritualist; Cody Gonzalez, scholarship
chairman; Scott Sandlin, social chairman; Mitch Meyer,
alumni chairman; Evan Roberts, Inner Circle chairman.
Indiana State (Iota-Epsilon)
Mark T. Angell (http://www.thebraziltimes.com/story/1725849.
html) (1984) died May 8, 2011. He was president, CEO, and
owner of Angell’s Food Centers in Linton and Sullivan, Indiana.
Angell was past president of the Linton Rotary Club, was on
the Greene County General Hospital Foundation Board of
Directors, was the past president of Linton-Stockton Chamber
of Commerce, and was active with the Freedom Festival Parade.
Florida State (Zeta-Rho)
Iowa State (Alpha-Tau)
Newsweek reviewed the book Seamless City (http://www.
thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2011-05-10/theseamless-city-by-rick-baker-americas-greatestmayor/?cid=to
pic:mainpromo2) written by former St. Petersburg Mayor
Rick Baker (1978). A former chapter president, Baker served
as mayor for 10 years and was named America’s Mayor of
the Year by Governing Magazine. Baker currently serves
as a vice president at the University of South Florida.
A new chapter website (http://www.mylambdachi.com/)
based on the WebGreek platform was launched in early May
2011. The new website is already seeing increased time per
visit, and number of pages viewed, as the website visitors are
presented with more content and improved navigation. Nearly
50 alumni brothers met at Iowa State University during the
annual VEISHEA (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VEISHEA)
Florida Tech (Beta-Nu)
The chapter finished second in the Greek Week competition.
Chapter President Matt Kepto won the overall MVP
Award. The chapter held a fundraising auction to raise
money for the Scott Autism Center on campus. Gammi Phi
Beta sorority sisters auctioned dinners while the brothers
auctioned three hours of labor. The auction raised more
than $700. This summer, the chapter is embarking on an
alumni contact campaign to re-engage alumni brothers and
to prepare for next year’s 40th anniversary celebration.
www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Louisville (Zeta-Sigma)
celebration on April 16, 2011. The special event was a Toast
and Roast of brother Gregg Behrens, who was appointed as the
Fraternity Board’s treasurer. At the end of the evening, brother
Jim Wignall presented a slideshow of events from the 1970s.
Special thanks to Dave Drennan and Brian Breamer, who spent
many hours putting together the program. This year’s recipient of
the Gregg and Ann Behrens Endowed Scholarship was Andrew
Nelson. Criteria for eligibility include academic performance,
financial need, and contributions the recipient has made to
leadership of the chapter and their own personal leadership
development. Nelson has served as the harm reduction officer
and currently serves as secretary. The photo shows Behrens,
Nelson, and Steve Lubahn, the Housing Corporation president.
An Ritual Initiation Exemplification was held for the
chapter’s two newest brothers: Erik Schout and Fahad
Alhamwah. The chapter hosted its 2nd Annual U-Can
Jam on April 30, 2011. The concert event collected
canned goods for the North American Food Drive.
Louisiana State (Upsilon)
The chapter earned a 2.96 GPA, above
the all-men’s Greek average.
Lycoming (Iota-Beta)
Kansas State (Gamma-Xi)
Billy Ray Chitwood’s new book is called “The Cracked
Mirror, Reflections of an Appalachian Son (http://
www.wix.com/brchitwood/thecrackedmirror)”
and is available through Amazon.com.
The chapter held an Ritual Initiation Exemplification for three
new brothers: Seamus Martin, Scott Lutz, and Lee Williams.
Kettering (Lambda-Epsilon A)
Maryland (Epsilon-Pi)
A creative innovation by Brennan Hamilton (1990) has landed
his GoPoint Technology (http://gopointtech.com/) company on
Popular Mechanic’s elite Breakthrough Products list. The practical
diagnostic device helps a driver gauge vehicle performance.
Paired with the women of Alpha Chi Omega sorority,
the chapter placed third in the Greek Week competition.
The chapter won the fraternity league basketball
championship defeating Alpha Epsilon Pi.
Kutztown (Sigma-Gamma)
More than 70 alumni brothers attended the Alumni Banquet
held in February 2011. In April 2011, the chapter held its
annual Miss Kutztown Pageant, raising more than $1,000 for
the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
Chapter President Bryan McKinstry won the Emerging Greek
Leader of the Year Award at the Greek Awards Ceremony.
Maryland-Baltimore County (Phi-Delta)
On May 4, 2011, the chapter held a charity event to raise funds
to support the Japanese earthquake relief. Chapter brothers
participated in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life,
raising money through a car wash and poker tournament.
www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Massachusetts Institute of Tech (Lambda)
Nevada-Las Vegas (Delta-Lambda)
Football player Brian Doyle was awarded the Hal Chalmers
Award for being the highest-rated player academically.
The chapter participated in the American Cancer
Society’s Relay for Life, raising more than $300. The
chapter won first place in the Greek Week competition.
The chapter was voted Best Fraternity on Campus
in the RebelYell, the university’s publication.
Miami-OH (Zeta-Upsilon)
The chapter earned a 3.22 GPA for the 2011 spring
semester and a 3.19 GPA for the year. This placed
the chapter second for the semester and third for
the year out of the 30 fraternities on campus.
Michigan (Sigma)
Stanley W. Attwood (1950) died September 18, 2010.
Charles A. Rymes (1951) died July 29, 2010.
Allan F. Schmalzriedt (1933) died August 21, 2010.
Dr. Dennis W. Shermeta (1961) died October 24, 2010.
Missouri (Gamma-Kappa)
New Mexico State (Zeta-Gamma)
Paired with Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the chapter won the
2011 Greek Week competition. The chapter won the
2011 Division 1 Greek Sports, which consists of the top
six fraternities on campus. Led by Nick Smith and Danny
Forman, the chapter started Fraternities For Green Dot, a
program to reduce instances of sexual violence within the
community. It is intended to promote awareness and action
by fraternity brothers towards keeping our community more
safe. The chapter is working with a local university organization
called the Rape and Sexual Violence Prevention Center.
Chris Frost (http:nationalmortgageprofessional.com/news25072/
nmp-mortgage-professional-month-chris-frost-vice-presidentand-business-development-manage), vice president and business
development manager of Frost Mortgage Banking Group, is
featured in the National Mortgage Professional Magazine. New
York City Area Alumni Association More than 35 brothers
attended a breakfast on May 10, 2011, at Alston & Byrd offices.
The event was hosted by Fraternity Board Member Fletcher
McElreath (Mercer 1987). Other notable attendees included the
Educational Foundation Treasurer Brian Heckler (Shippensburg
1984), who served as the keynote speaker. Heckler spoke about
the state of the Fraternity and the TRUE Brother Initiative,
and how Lambda Chi Alpha inspired and shaped his current
involvement. Associate Director of Alumni Relations Dan
Hartmann (Truman 2007) announced the re-organization of
the New York Area Alumni Association and asked all interested
brothers to email him at [email protected].
New Hampshire (Alpha-Xi)
On Friday April 30, 2011, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual
Exemplification for five new brothers. Cy Lekyang (2011)
earned the Award of Excellence at the university’s research
conference, the largest of its kind in the United States.
New Orleans (Lambda-Alpha)
Chapter brothers participated in the American Cancer
Society’s Relay for Life. On May 20, 2011, the chapter
held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for two new
bothers: Chris Podany and Matthew Carmichael.
North Carolina-Wilmington (Delta-Sigma)
The chapter held a Ritual Initiation
Exemplification for six new brothers.
Pennsylvania (Epsilon)
Having one of the highest Medical College Admission
Test (MCAT) scores in the country, Ari Huverserian was
accepted into the Princeton Review MCAT instructor
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Purdue (Psi)
program. In addition, he was selected into the Phi Beta
Kappa Society, an elite academic honor society.
Chapter brothers completed more than 35 hours of community
service, beating the previous totals. Bernie Flowers (https://
www.purduealumni.org/events/news/purdue-all-america-bernieflowers-dies-at-age-81/) (1952) died April 14, 2011. He was a
three-year football letter winner at Purdue from 1950 to 1952.
He earned consensus All-America honors as a senior end after
setting school records with 43 receptions for 603 yards and
seven touchdowns. The Boilermakers were Big Ten Conference
co-champions in 1952. He was inducted into the Purdue
Intercollegiate Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. Flowers played
professionally in the Canadian Football League -- earning All-Pro
honors with the Ottawa Roughriders in 1953 -- and the National
Football League with the Baltimore Colts in 1956. In between,
he served in the military and was named to the All-Navy Sea
Service teams in 1954 and 1955. Following his playing days,
Flowers embarked on a career in life insurance in Lafayette.
Oklahoma (Gamma-Rho)
The chapter hosted its 25th Annual White Rose Pageant,
benefiting Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cleveland County. The
event raised $7,300, the second largest amount raised. Paired
with the Chi Omega sorority, the chapter hosted Swishes for
Wishes, a three-on-three basketball tournament benefiting the
Make-A-Wish foundation. The event raised nearly $4,000.
The chapter participated in The Big Event, a campus-wide
day of community service.The chapter participated in the
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, a cause even more
poignant as the chapter currently has two cancer survivors.
Oregon State (Alpha-Lambda)
Chapter vice president Kevin Aguas won the 2011 Greek Man
of the Year Award, marking the second year in a row a Lambda
Chi has received this honor. Aguas has served as IFC president,
where he created and hosted the first OSU Greek Leadership
Summit, in addition to leading a Greek expansion program. He
also contributes more than 1,000 volunteer hours in the Corvallis
community as a mentor and tutor for students in the Lincoln
Elementary School in Corvallis. The chapter was recognized as
the 2011 Runner-up for Fraternity of the Year, placing second
in a field of more than 20 fraternities. The chapter was cited
for its 2010 Philanthropy of the Year event, Watermelon Bash,
the largest fundraising event hosted by a fraternity. The chapter
hosted its third annual Watermelon Bash raising more than
$15,000 for the Community Outreach Center, which provides
resources to homeless families. The four-day event was organized
by chapter vice president Eric Hanslits and Event Chairman
Nick Halberg. Delta Gamma repeated as the winning sorority
and this year’s Crescent Girl was Taylor Surby, a member of
Alpha Phi sorority. Philadelphia Area Alumni Association. More
than 50 brothers attended a reception held on May 10, 2011, at
the Union League of Philadelphia. Fraternity Board Chairman
Drew Hunter (Denver 1984) served as the keynote speaker and
provided an update about the Fraternity. Undergraduates and
recent graduates from Philadelphia-area chapters attended the
event and provided insights about today’s Lambda Chi Alpha.
Rensselaer Polytechnic (Epsilon-Eta)
For the second year in a row, the chapter won the President’s
Cup (Chapter of the Year Award) at the 2011 Greek Awards.
In addition, the chapter won the Ritual Award and three
brothers received individual awards. JP Trasatti was named the
2010 Greek Man of the Year, Stephen Provost was selected
as the 2010 Executive Leader of the Year, and Brian Lewis
received the Order of Omega Man of the Year Award.
Richmond (Alpha-Chi)
Herbert L. “Sonny” Jeffords Jr. (http://www.thepostsearchlight.
com/2011/05/17/h-l-jeffords-jr/) (1951) died May 15,
2011. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II,
founded Jeffords Insurance in 1951, and operated Jeffords
Insurance and Realty until his retirement in 1992.
Pittsburg State (Lambda-Chi)
The chapter held a Ritual Initiation Exemplification for five new
brothers. The chapter earned second place in grades, beating
the all-undergraduate GPA average. Thomas Roche (1984)
was selected to serve on the International Ritual Team at this
summer’s Stead Leadership Seminar at Iowa State University.
www.crossandcrescent.com
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Rose-Hulman (Theta-Kappa)
Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma)
On May 9, 2011, Wesley Benner, William Bro, Timothy
Burcham, Travis Clarkson, Jordan Eaker, Timothy Lane, Steven
Procter and Derik Sikes underwent the Fraternity’s Graduation
Ceremony, becoming alumni brothers of Lambda Chi Alpha.
The chapter raised more than $2,000 at American Cancer
Society’s Relay for Life. Brother Dennis Stanley was the featured
speaker and an American Cancer Society Award recipient.
Thirty chapter brothers volunteered at a Minnie’s Food Pantry
in Plano, Texas, as part of the work on behalf of the North
American Food Drive. The chapter’s Annual Founders Day
golf tournament and dinner was held on April 30, 2011.
South Carolina (Epsilon-Psi)
The chapter held its 2011 Spring Brotherhood Retreat
under the guidance of ELC Aaron Fieseler and Master
Steward Jeromy Forshee.Christian Busch and David Corso
will attend and represent the chapter at the 2011 Stead
Leadership Seminar this summer at Iowa State University.
South Carolina-Aiken (Pi-Alpha)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for
three new brothers: Eric Walker, Graeme Dawe, and Rico
Cervantes. The chapter participated in the American Cancer
Society’s Relay for Life, winning the Spirit Award. At the
2011 Student Life Banquet, the chapter brothers won the
New Student Leadership Award, Student Employee Award,
and the Greek Member of the Year Award. Eight chapter
brothers received Presidential Community Service Awards,
while two of them reached the Gold Level with more than
250 hours of service. The Executive Committee of the Ducks
Unlimited chapter on campus consists of chapter brothers. The
group hosted its annual banquet raising more than $3,000.
Tarleton State (Phi-Rho)
On April 29, 2011, the chapter was given the W.O. and Florene
Trogdon Service Award at the university’s annual Leadership
and Service Awards. The award was one of only two, given to
organizations who demonstrate high levels of service to the
community. In April 2011,
the chapter won the Greek
championship in intramural
softball and, earlier this
semester, won the Greek
championship in intramural
basketball.Chapter President
Anthony Linder was elected
Junior Class Senator for
the 2011-12 school year.
He also was named Beau
for the Delta Zeta sorority.
The chapter held its annual
Memorial Scholarship
Golf Tournament in April
2011. The scholarship is
named after Levi Jones
-- a member who died
in a car accident in 2004
–- and is awarded annually to a deserving undergraduate
brother. On April 15, 2011, the chapter held an
Initiation Ritual Exemplification for two brothers.
Southern Indiana (Phi-Xi)
The chapter earned a 2.87 GPA for the Spring 2011
semester, higher than the all-men’s average and ranking
first out of eight fraternities on campus.Nathan Wehr was
elected Order of Omega’s president and Mark Furman
was elected vice president of records and finance.
St. Louis College of Pharmacy (Pi-Lambda)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for
Richard Koentz, an honorary initiate and the father of brothers
Chris and Nathan Koentz. Koentz has been very active in the
chapter, hosting the annual brotherhood retreat at his farm
in southern Illinois as well as building a new, lighted crescent
used during the Initiation Ritual. The chapter participated
in a spring food drive and the American Cancer Society’s
Relay for Life, collecting more than 1,000 pounds and raising
$1,000 respectively for each cause. On May 3, 2011, the
chapter hosted its Fifth Annual Watermelon Bash (http://www.
fox2now.com/news/morningshow/timezell/ktvi-tims-travelswatermelon-eatingcontest-20110503,0,2453115.story), with
proceeds benefiting the Arnold Food Pantry of St. Louis.
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Tennessee-Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi)
Innovation Impact Award from the NFL and the North Texas
Small Business Alliance for embodying the characteristics of
leadership, innovation, and social responsibility. The award
was presented during Super Bowl week activities. Mark Istook
(1998), a television host, reporter, and actor living in Los Angeles
received the TCU Outstanding Young Alumnus Award.
The chapter hosted a barbeque fundraiser on April 29,
2011, raising $3,000 for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. One of
undergraduate brothers in the chapter currently has this disease.
Texas (Alpha-Mu)
Chapter brothers contributed 160 hours of community service,
the majority of which was done in conjunction with Habitat
for Humanity. The 16 brothers who participated found it a
very rewarding experience. The chapter placed second in the
Zeta Tau Alpha Salsa Cookoff. Joey Valenzuela made the
award-winning salsa. The chapter would like to hear ideas or
suggestions from alumni brothers. Please send an email to the
Alumni Chairman Seth York at [email protected].
Texas-El Paso (Zeta-Epsilon)
Partnering with Alpha Xi Delta sorority and the Women’s
Resource Center, the chapter organized an Easter egg hunt on
the university campus for the children of El Paso. Activities
included face painting, jumping dragons, bubble making,
a dance-off, and of course the giant Easter egg hunt.
Texas A&M-Kingsville (Beta-Epsilon)
On May 7, 2011, the chapter held its annual White Rose Formal.
Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)
On April 17-27, 2011, the chapter hosted a food drive benefiting
the Tarrant Area Food Bank. The event included a PB & J
Face-off, where teams of campus Greek organizations collected
either peanut butter or jelly. The teams collected 423 jars of
peanut butter and 645 jars of jelly, which weighed more than
1,000 pounds. The photo shows chapter brothers Caten Hyde
and Matt Speanburg presenting Bo Soderbergh and Susan
Frye from the Tarrant Area Food Bank with a $330 donation
check. On April 30, 2011, Chris Curtis (1983) was awarded
the President’s Service Award at TCU’s Annual Alumni Awards
Celebration. In January 2011, Curtis also was awarded the first
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Texas-San Antonio (Phi-Upsilon)
Boil. An alumni brother, nicknamed “Papa Cajun,” drove
from Pineville, Louisiana, to steam more than 250 pounds
of crawfish for a weekly brotherhood event. On April 30,
2011, the chapter placed second in the Greek Olympics.
Orlando Rummans (1995) and Bobby Leyva (1999) were selected
to serve on the UTSA Alumni Association Board of Directors for
the 2011-2014 term. The UTSA Alumni Association represents
more than 80,000 alumni worldwide. The current president of
the Alumni Association, Rob Killen (1997), is also an alumni
brother. During a banquet on April 28, 2011, Shane Foley
(2002) was recognized as the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police
Department’s East District Officer of the Year for 2010. He
has served on the police department since October 2007.
Valparaiso (Iota-Sigma)
The chapter held a Ritual Initial Exemplification for 15 new
brothers, including Stephen Durante who became the chapter’s
1,000th initiated member. On April 5, 2011, William Burfeind
(1967) was presented with the Arthur J. Morris Award for “an
outstanding contribution to the consumer credit insurance
industry” by the Consumer Credit Industry Association
(CCIA), formerly the Consumer Credit Insurance Association.
Burfeind was executive vice president from 1979 to 2010.
Toronto (Epsilon-Epsilon)
The chapter held its Second Annual Man Auction,
auctioning off their time and unique talents to friends and
family in order to raise money and awareness for Mothers
Against Drunk Driving. Through these efforts, the chapter
raised $500. The chapter held its annual Awards Banquet,
where Roman Reznikov was recognized for his campus
involvement as president of the University of Toronto PreMedical Society and Thomas Hobucan was recognized for
finishing the academic year with a perfect 4.0 GPA.
Vanderbilt (Gamma-Delta)
The chapter won Greek Awards for Best Tri-Council Circle
for its charity basketball tournament, Best Intellectual
Development for inner fraternity tutoring program and
incentives program, and Best Academic Programming
for a lecture series Driven by a Dream (Cerebral Palsy)
and Sports Marketing with Athlon Sports.
Towson (Phi-Omega)
The chapter installed Joshua Brusca as the new chapter adviser,
replacing Bob Burleigh. On May 13, 2011, the chapter held
an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for two new brothers.
Wake Forest (Theta-Tau)
Dr. James N. Martin Jr., (1969) was named the president of
the national congress of OB/GYNs at a ceremony on May
4, 2011, in Washington, DC. He is one of the worldwide
experts on high-risk pregnancies. Washington DC Area
Alumni Association. More than 80 brothers attended a
networking event and reception held on May 11, 2011, at
the JW Marriott. Fraternity Board Chairman Drew Hunter
(Denver 1984) served as the keynote speaker and provided a
General Fraternity update. Also in attendance were Executive
Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949) as
Union (Lambda-Zeta)
On April 8, 2011, the chapter hosted Relay For Life Tossing
For A Cure Corn Hole Tournament, raising nearly $1,000
for the American Cancer Society.On April 16, 2011, chapter
members participated in the campus-wide Variety Show,
winning Best Overall Performance for Super Mario Brothers.
On April 29, 2011, the chapter hosted its 5th annual Crawfish
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
Chapter News
Wisconsin-Whitewater (Lambda-Iota Colony)
well as 11 current and former Fraternity staff members.
The chapter held its Teeter-Totter-a-Thon, which raised funds
for women’s athletics. The entire chapter participated in a
clean-up of a cemetery outside of Whitewater. Jeff Martin
and David Olmos were elected to the Executive Board of
Greeks. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification
for three honorary brothers: Michael Larcheid, Eric Field,
and Richard “Red” Moeller.Retrieved from “http://staging.
crossandcrescent.com/index.php?title=11jun_Chapter_News”
Washington State (Tau)
The chapter’s Tolo Club hosted a golf tournament/lunch
meeting on May 21, 2011, at Willows Run Golf Course.
Western Ontario (Delta-Eta)
Chapter brothers are moving into a new house over the
summer. The new chapter will provide better quality lodging
while offering a larger common area for brotherhood activities,
functions, studying, and relaxing. The housing task force was
led by Christian DiBattista, Lawrence Raponi, and William
Komer, who also provided financing for the operation.
William & Mary (Epsilon-Alpha)
The chapter will host two golf events at the Kingsmill Resort
to honor the memories of alumni brothers John Davis, Doug
Williams, Michael Duffy, and Jerry Tuttle. The Mike Duffy and
Jerry Tuttle Shootout will be held on June 24, 2011, while the
John Davis and Doug Williams Memorial Golf Tournament
will be held on June 25, 2011. For more information,
please email Bobby Jackson at [email protected].
William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu)
Anthony Shop (http://gwbizplan.
com/news.asp?id=22) (2005)
was part of the winning
team that received first place
in the competitive George
Washington University
Business Plan competition.
For the win, his team received
$25,000 in startup funding.
Shop is a recent MBA graduate
from George Washington.
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
A Father & Son Legacy
The father is Matt Rose (Missouri 1980), a Gamma-Kappa alumni brother and the CEO and chairman of BNSF
Railway. His son is Phil Rose (Texas Christian 2011), the former Iota-Pi chapter president and a 2011 graduate
from Texas Christian University.
By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison)
The Father
When Matt joined the Gamma-Kappa chapter at the
University of Missouri, he and his chapter brothers faced the
typical challenges and opportunities. As an undergrad, Matt
lived in a wing of the fraternity house with three of the top
four chapter officers.
“Whenever somebody would have to come in to confess
or admit something, ask for forgiveness, beg, plead.... they
would have to come into the west wing of the fraternity
house,” Matt says.
“Even though I wasn’t president, I was always there...
listening as a silent judge, juror, and trial lawyer,” Matt says.
“We had an opportunity to think through a lot of issues as
20- and 21-year-old young men. Those same decision trees
and leadership questions...it’s all the same stuff you use 30
years later in your life.”
Because he sees the importance of setting clear standards for
leadership, he has implemented a set of leadership principles
at BNSF Railway to help employees always strive to do better.
“One of the tenets of our Leadership Model is communicate,
communicate, communicate,” Matt says. “Whether you’re
leading a hundred 21-year-olds at a fraternity or 40,000
40- or 50-year-olds at a company, we try to make sure
everybody understands the vision or the mission. Get
people all going in the same direction. It’s about leading,
managing and trying to direct a process. Ultimately, a lot
of people can impact your ability to be successful.”
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
BNSF Railway employees operate in a “team sport”
environment, which is similar to the way a chapter functions.
However, Matt did do his own research on the TCU Greek
system to make sure he knew which fraternities were doing
well and which weren’t. Fortunately, the Iota-Pi chapter had
a strong reputation.
“Railroading is a team sport,” Matt says. “In everything we
do, we need a team that’s focused on the group’s objectives.
Certainly leading a fraternity of people who are assembled
as part of a team, but who are not being paid, challenges
you as a leader to find other ways to motivate them. In that
way, it is probably harder than leading a company. You’ve
got to be able to articulate the vision or purpose of why that
team should move forward in everything they do.
“I just let things evolve,” recalls Matt. Phil called me one day
and said he was going to join a fraternity, and it was going
to be Lambda Chi...and I thought ‘that’s interesting,’” Matt
says. “I just kind of smiled to myself.”
Phil remembers that his dad told him to visit the Lambda
Chi chapter but didn’t try to persuade him.
The Son
“Its about
leading, managing
and trying
to direct a process.”
Phil’s first memories of Lambda Chi Alpha are from
childhood when his dad would spend time visiting with his
Gamma-Kappa brothers from Missouri. At TCU, when it
came time for Phil to decide which fraternity to join, his
“I met with them pretty early-on in the summer and it was
a pretty good fit. So I really didn’t have much of a decision
to make,” Phil says. At Missouri, Matt served as recruitment
chairman, while Phil was elected TCU’s chapter president.
Before Phil became chapter president, he called his dad for
advice. “Now, you have to remember, he’s 21 by this time...
so he was actually calling me for advice, which was much
different than when he was an 18-year-old,” Matt says. “I
really encouraged him to do it.”
dad didn’t try to persuade his 18-year-old son.
“As with many dads with 18-year-olds, I didn’t want to
As chapter president, Phil dealt with a few added challenges,
weigh in on this decision, fearing he might choose another
which meant he had to work directly with the university
fraternity,” Matt says. “I simply watched him go through
administrators and to hold chapter members accountable.
the process, but felt very excited when he would attend a
Lambda Chi rush event.
“It was like having a full-time job, but I enjoyed doing
it,” Phil says. “It was definitely good to do it. I think it
was an overall good experience. It taught me a lot about
organization and scheduling and how to respond to the
certain situations we dealt with.”
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
Looking back at his son’s time as chapter president, Matt says
it was in some ways similar to being a CEO of a company.
“It’s lonely,” Matt says about having to be the ultimate
decision maker. “There’s no real book that anyone gives
you. It’s the greatest developmental experience you can have
in your life. If I have an employee at our company who
makes a mistake, I have to pay the consequences for that
one employee. What Phil is going through is no different.
He’s responsible. He signed up for it.” Matt has taken great
pride in seeing Phil progress from associate member to
initiated brother to chapter president and to TCU graduate.
“The best part about leadership is going through the trials
and tribulations,” says Matt. “You’re tested in terms of how
you’re going to handle issues from a leadership standpoint.
It’s been fun to watch, and gratifying.”
The Legacy
When Phil participated in the Initiation
Exemplification as a freshman, his dad attended.
Phil graduated from TCU in May 2011, and he is currently
evaluating several different job opportunities.
If and when a day comes to determine a future son’s interest
in Lambda Chi, Phil says he would address it like his dad
did with him and let his son decide on his own. However,
Phil does enjoy the unique bond he shares with his dad and
his uncles.
“It would be cool to keep it in the family,” Phil says. “I have
two uncles who are also Lambda Chis, and it’s fun when we
all get together.”
Ritual
“It was just cool,” Phil says. “He was always pretty secretive
about all that stuff. I would always ask him what it’s all
about when I was an associate. Once it was over we could
finally talk about it.”
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
A Master of Surf, Tacos & Vibe
Wing G. Lam (San Diego State 1984), co-owner of Wahoo’s Fish Tacos, talks about his time in Lambda Chi and
how it helped him achieve success.
By Thomas Roberts (Edinboro)
Wing G. Lam (San Diego State 1984), co-owner of Wahoo’s This, however, still left him wanting more. He continued to
Fish Tacos with brothers Eduardo Lee and Mingo Lee, search for a Greek-letter fraternity he could call home.
originally attended San Diego State University to play water
polo and study aerospace engineering.
“So we decided to check out this other fraternity (Lambda
Chi Alpha),” he says. “We noticed that they all really hung
Like most college students, Lam changed his major and out together and even with us before rushing.”
focus to something that was not only a better fit for him but
also a stronger department at San Diego State. His move to They found a Lambda Chi Alpha chapter that embodied
the business department would provide him with a degree Lam’s free spirit, zest for life and work ethic that would later
in finance and lay the groundwork for his future business become the building blocks for sucess with Wahoo’s.
success.
“So all of my friends from the team and I really thought
Lam’s involvement with the water polo team gained him about it and decided to change and try and actually make a
early positive exposure of the Greek system. Olympic difference,” Lam says. “We just thought that we are going to
swimmer Brian Goodell was well known at the time for his be together the next four years anyway so let’s make it fun.”
competitive nature.
The men that joined Lambda Chi Alpha, with Lam, would
“He was in SAE and, of course, I played water polo so my begin to make an impact on the house from day one. When
he looks back on those men and their influence within the
friends and I all thought about joining SAE,” Lam says.
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
chapter he says: “Almost all of us held an office at some
point while we were rushing and over the next four years.”
The networking and idea of brotherhood is something Lam
continues to talk about as useful tools in marketing and
promoting Wahoo’s.
Lam went on to become the IFC representative, chapter
historian and scholarship chairman.
“So I have used that idea and now I have a crazy network
I use of business owners and I use the same philosophy of
creating a close brotherhood bond,” he says. “Everyone is
What Does It Mean Now?
Lam’s undergraduate experience with Lambda Chi Alpha contributing and adding to the energy in the workload...
left a lasting impact. The fraternity provided him the as long as you get guys together who have a similar goal in
opportunity to identify a problem and use his resources mind, you can get a ton done.”
around him to provide a solution.
Wahoo’s Fish Tacos
“Being that I joined in the 80s, there were not many Asians
who joined,” he says. “I was one of two who did it during
that time at San Diego State....We needed a little more
diversity so I would always go out and I actually recruited
some pretty cool athletes that happened to be Asian. It was
unheard of back in the 80s for Asians to rush.“
Lam graduated and spent three years in a few different jobs
in, what he calls “corporate America.” He realized that a
lot of friends were running and operating the major surf
companies.
Lam continues as a lifetime brother to keep the relationships
he built as undergraduate strong today.
“The fraternity is somewhere where I have some of my best
memories,” he says. “There are still a ton of guys around
town that I keep in touch with. It’s just one of those things
that I do not want to sound like I am living in my college
days but almost everything that I learned from Lambda
Chi, I have used in some way today.”
“They were literally right here in Orange County,” he says.
“So I decided to switch things up. I quit my job and opened
up a fish taco stand.”
Lam opened up his first fish taco stand 23 years ago.
“Today, there is not a single extreme sports person in the
area who does not eat at our restaurant,” he says. “It’s
ridiculously funny. So the Winter X Games, Summer X
Games, Motocross and Offroad, you name it, we have met
them.“
With more than 50 Wahoo’s restaurants in California,
Colorado and Texas, Lam continues to look forward.
“We have many people interested in New York, and
Nebraska of all places, Las Vegas, Georgia, and Arizona, so
there is a huge interest in our brand,” he says. “We have
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
some really great growth potential right now and
many of these areas will be opening up by the
end of the year.”
The Future
When we spoke Lam, he had just finished
teaching at Concordia University as a guest
lecturer. Also, starting this winter, he will be
teaching in the master’s program at Chapman
University.
Lam takes pride in his journey to success and
continues to use it as a way to teach and inspire
others.
“The thing is that you have to learn to work hard
and learn to play hard,” he says. “Certain people
have a view of fraternities and they think it is all
social. I think they forget the fact that someone
has to organize the party...The fact that I was
always on the organizing side of it, I learned
a lot about event planning. In a fraternity or
sorority, you learn to become an event planner, a
promoter, and all the other jobs you have to do to
make an event successful. All those experiences
I learned with using budgets and all that helped
to get to where I am today.”
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
Georgia’s 95h Anniversary
For the past eight months, Cross & Crescent has paid tribute to our chapters who received the Grand High Alpha
Award in 2010 and those celebrating birthdays in 2010–2011.In this, our final chapter feature of the academic year,
we go to Athens, Georgia, home of the Bulldogs of the University of Georgia.
by Jon Williamson (Maryland)
History of Nu Zeta
Charles H. Stone (Illinois
1916) and Robert E. Blackburn (Illinois 1913) were
primarily responsible for the
founding of the Trigon Club
at the University of Georgia.
Blackburn was a graduate
and instructor at Georgia at
the time of its founding. The
initial meeting of Trigon
was held on May 12, 1915,
and the following men were
pledged to membership:
Professor Earl G. Welch,
Clarence N. Crocker, Frank
O. Miner, G. W. Waner,
William D. Hasty, William
H. Sorrells, and Clarence W.
Rawson.
Three weeks later Trigon
was granted a charter by
Lambda Chi Alpha and shortly
thereafter 14 men were initiated.
Professor Welch was given the
honor of being Nu No. 1. He would
later become a professor at the
University of Kentucky (Agriculture
Engineer) and his son would become
a Lambda Chi at Kentucky. Charles
Stone would become the librarian at
the College of William & Mary and
Mercer University. Henry Newton
was the first president of Trigon.
Warren Mixon was the captain of
the basketball team. Rawson was the
basketball captain of the 1916 team.
Many of the brothers were majoring
in engineering and had been inducted into the engineering honorary.
Chapter President
William Ytterberg is the current
chapter president at Georgia.
“We have enjoyed a very successful
year and we will start the fall of
2011 with 93 brothers. In the fall
of 2010 the chapter finished with a
3.08 GPA. Each year we emphasize
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18
philanthropic work.
This includes a $4,000 a
year contribution to the
foundation established
in honor of brother
Tim Baldwin who died
tragically in a drowning
accident. In addition, we
make contributions to
the Big Hearts Program,
we participate in a fun
run each fall contributing
$1,500 this past fall and we
participate in the NorthAmerican Canned Food
Drive which raised about
$700 this year. We are
very active in the IFC here
at Georgia. I serve as the
vice president and Fisher
Law is the recruitment
chair and a member of
Leonard’s Leaders. We have
six other brothers on various IFC
committees.”
Does the chapter enjoy solid alumni
support?
“Yes, we are very fortunate in having a number of very involved, dedicated, and unselfish alumni. Charles
Andros is the president of the alumni
association, Joe Crosland is president of the house corporation, Dave
Nicholson is our financial adviser
and Steve Tippins is the High Pi.”
Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
Chapter Adviser
House Corporation President
“I moved back to Athens about 14 years ago. My son
became an associate member in 2002, and I was able to
attend his initiation ceremony. That triggered my involvement and it continues to this day.”
“I was asked by Charles Andros, a pledge brother, to get
re-involved with the chapter. Since I live in Athens and
drive by the chapter house every day it was easy to do.
The fraternity provided me with such great memories
and friendships that I have found this a way of paying
forward all that I owe for that experience.”
For the past several years Steve Tippins has been the
chapter High Pi. How did you get re-involved?
Joe Crosland (1992) is the president of the house corporation.
What served as the catalyst for your investment of time
and energy?
“For me it was the great friendships that I made as an
undergraduate, many of whom I am still involved with.
My older brother was a Lambda Chi at Georgia and we
share many of the same friends. As an undergraduate it
was who I was and the experience shaped my life. It was
very important to me; the day-to-day things of sharing a
meal together, laughing and talking together. We were a
very close group in the ‘70s.”
Has the chapter changed much in the past 30 years?
“Well, the chapter size of about 100 brothers is about the
same, but these men are much more involved in charitable and philanthropic activities than we were. This is a
very caring group of young men.”
What are the major challenges faced by the house corporation?
“Our goals are to make improvements to the house and
budget for capital improvements. We focus on communicating with the alumni and maintaining our website,
www.lxa-uga.org, and reminding them of their great
memories. Charles Andros has worked to increase our
alumni involvement and support. Assisting him has
been Mike McGinn. For me, Mike embodies all of the
good things that Lambda Chi is all about. He serves as a
Major in the National Guard, including tours in Iraq, is
a small-business owner, and is a very unselfish person.
Steve Tippins is the backbone for the chapter, and they
lean on him for support.”
Do you receive alumni support?
“Yes. There are so many who come back to the house
for homecoming and tailgate parties and the alumni golf
outing. Charles Andros has been successful in getting
brothers to volunteer to assist whenever possible. Joe
Crosland is president of the house corporation and he
is assisted by the treasurer Tom Lanier, whose son Bo
is a Lambda Chi. And then we have Cliff Russell, Dave
Nicholson, and Richard Lynott. Our alumni room in
the house is dedicated to Howard “Buddy” Dillard and
contains plaques, trophies, the charter, and a chapter
composite from 1915.”
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
Alumni Financial Adviser
Dave Nicholson is the current chapter financial
adviser.
“I got involved about 10 years ago when I
became co-president of the housing corporation
and I remained in that position for about seven
or eight years. When I joined Lambda Chi I only
knew one other person in the chapter. Every
other one of the 25 pledges was new to me. We
quickly developed camaraderie, living with them
in and out of the house, and I have maintained
many of those relationships after college. I am a
CPA by training and served the chapter as High
Tau so I remember the numerous challenges of
collecting money and budgeting. I find it so very
rewarding to watch the current brothers step up
to the challenge of successfully carrying out the
responsibilities of the position while at the same
time holding brothers accountable and having to
exert some authority over a friend.”
What are the financial challenges currently
faced?
“The chapter house was acquired in the 1960s
and modifications were made shortly afterward.
We can now sleep about 50 men. The campus
culture has changed from low rent with the
maximum number of men in the house to today’s
student who wants privacy. We are still able to
stay competitive with the University of Georgia
dorms and are also less expensive than houses or
apartments close to campus. Our house is totally wired. We used to do a house improvement
project each year, but that is no longer necessary since we have added a new roof, paneled
each room, replaced all doors and windows, put
hardwood floors in each room, and added new
lighting. With all those improvements we no
longer need a project a year. The alumni have
always responded to the calls for assistance, so
the future for chapter housing remains positive.”
Notable Nu Brothers
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Dr. George Abney (1951), professor and director of
undergraduate services and the honors adviser of
Grady College at the University of Georgia; former national president of Kappa Tau Alpha (journalism honor society); recipient of the Faculty
Service Award from the University of Georgia; one
of seven members of the Abney family to be a Lambda Chi
Kirk W. Alexander (1978), president and CEO of CEO
Teams Inc., Atlanta, Georgia
Charles G. Allison (1960), writer and producer,
winner of two Writers Guild of America awards:
Special Award in 1977 for Fraternity Row and in
1985 for The First Olympics: Athens 1896
Judge Preston Almand (1922), judge, Atlanta, Georgia
Judge Gary Andrews, (1968), Georgia Court of Appeals, Atlanta, Georgia
James P. Atwater (1967), president of Sun Trust Bank,
Tifton, Georgia; son Brian is a Lambda Chi
Dr. Donald E. Barnett (1950), retired assistant professor and director of freshman English, University of Georgia
W. Craig Barrs (1979), executive vice president of external affairs of Georgia Power, Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. Charles A. Beaumont (1947), retired professor
of English, University of Georgia
H. Edsel Benson (1942), chairman of the Board of
Benson’s Inc.; 1992 recipient of the Alumni Merit
Award from the University of Georgia
Judge William T. Boyett (1967), Superior Court
Judge, Conasauga Judicial Circuit, Dalton, Georgia
Dr. Thomas G. Brooks (1922), surgeon, Augusta,
Georgia
Dr. Thomas D. Brown Jr. (1959), physician, Louisville, Kentucky
Dr. James G. Bryant (1962), professor of Health &
Physical Education, Western Carolina University
David L. Burch (1973), president of Lincoln National Corp.; former member of the Foundation Board
at the University of Georgia
Dr. Robert K. Butz (1951), professor of mathematics,
Auburn University
Dr. H. Kennon Carter (1963), physics professor, Oak
Ridge National Laboratories
Mike J. Castronis (1946), first University of Georgia
football player to be named all-SEC three consecutive years; All-American in football in 1946; member of the University of Georgia Circle of Honor;
scholarship given in his honor
Casualties of War: World War II – Leo W. Belcher,
William Elisha Camp, Stephen Mercer Collins, Eu-
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FEATURE
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gene Dickerson Freeman, Joseph Kenneth
Hamilton, Hugh L. Moore, Richard Turner
Moore, Robert Long Nissley, James Turner Skipworth, Eugene Allen Smith, James
Strickland Swarts, Frank Von Sprechen,
Jr., James Franklin Wood; Korea – Arthur
H. Hutchinson; Vietnam – Joseph Stephen
Prince
Vassa Cate (1940), member of the Georgia
Prep Hall of Fame, member of the Georgia
State Athletic Hall of Fame, Vassa Cate Athletic Center in Calhoun, Georgia named
for him
J. Keith Caudell (1979), president and CEO of
the National Bank of Walton County, Georgia
Nicholas Chilivus (1953), senior partner
in the firm of Chilivis, Cochran, Larkins,
& Bever. Atlanta, Georgia, former revenue
commissioner for the state of Georgia
Dr. Brian J. Choate (1988), dentist in Cartersville, Georgia
Melvin R. Conger (1946), played professional
football with the New York Yankees in 1946
and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947
G. Thomas Cornet Jr. (1950), CEO of GTO 2000
Trucking, Inc., Gainesville, Georgia
Dr. Mark J. Costantino (1968), physician,
Athens, Georgia
Dr. Clifford Courtenay (1977), doctor of
ophthalmology in Valdosta, Georgia
Dr. Alexander Culbreth (1985), OB/GYN in
Valdosta, Georgia
John S. Dalis ’71, bankruptcy judge, Brunswick, Georgia
Raymond L. “Racehorse” Davis (1943), played
professional football with the Miami Seahawks in 1946 and the Baltimore Colts
from 1947 to 1949; member of the Georgia
State Athletic Hall of Fame
Howard L. “Buddy” Dillard (1971), real estate; recipient of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order
of Merit in 2004
Raymond Elrod (1959), former mayor of Dalton, Georgia
Morris C. Estes (1988), managing director at
GE Capital, Healthcare Financial Services,
Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. William Evans (1950), assistant professor
in the Department of Communication at
Georgia State University
Dr. Slade Exley (1957), veterinarian, Gainesville, Georgia
Nicholas J. Feher (1951), played professional
football with the San Francisco 49’ers
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from 1951 to 1954 and with the Pittsburgh
Steelers in 1955
Dr. Alan D. Fletcher (1962), professor of
mass communication, Louisiana State University
Dr. Henry J. Ford (1950), physician, University of Georgia
James Fordham (1940), played professional
football with the Chicago Bears in 1944
and 1945
W. Royce Fricks (1956), retired president and
CEO of Peoples Bank of Bartow County, Savannah, Georgia
Dr. John W. Garland III (1960), senior psychiatrist, Northeast Georgia Psychiatric
Group, Gainesville, Georgia
Joseph Geri (1949), as an undergraduate
played in the Rose, Sugar, Gator, and Orange Bowls, played professional football
with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1949 to
1951 and with the Chicago Cardinals in
1952, All Pro in 1950 and 1951; member of the
state of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
Judge Charles L. Gowen (1925), attorney;
Georgia State Representative from 1939-1960;
Brunswick Juvenile Court Judge; recipient
of University of Georgia Law School’s Distinguished Service Scroll; honored by the
dedication of the Charles Latimer Gowen
Courtyard on the Old Campus of the University of Georgia
Todd Graves, owner and founder of Raising Canes Chicken Fingers headquartered
in Baton Rouge, LA
Dr. Young L. Hall, Jr. (1930), doctor, Miami,
Florida
Hon. Joe F. Harris (1958), former Governor
of the state of Georgia; 2008 recipient of
the Alumni Merit Award from the University of Georgia
Dr. Clyde C. Harrison Jr. (1950), retired surgeon, McDonough, Georgia
William Stanley Hatcher (1987), controller
of the Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
Robert “Bravo Six” Hemphill (1965), lieutenant colonel, awarded the Silver Star Medal,
Bronze Star Medal (4), Purple Heart; Commander of Oliver Stone’s Company (author
of Platoon).
Jack Hennings (1969), Episcopal Priest, Laguna Niguel, California
B.B. Heery (1920), Georgia Municipal Court
Judge, Savannah, Georgia
Bryce Holcomb (1959), former president of
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the Georgia Soft Drink Association, Gainesville, Georgia, (son Bryce is a Lambda Chi)
David K. Hollis Jr. (1958), chairman of the
board and CEO of the Citizens Community
Bank, Hahira, Georgia
Dr. Benjamin H. Jenkins (1944), retired physician, Newnam, Georgia
Reynold J. Jennings (1968), former Vice
Chairman of Tenet Healthcare Corporation
Dr. James H. Johnson (1978), physician, Columbus, Georgia
Charles Kelley (2004), member of the singing
group Lady Antebellum winner of numerous Grammy Awards, American Country
Awards, and Country Music Association
Awards
Brian P. Kemp (1986), current Secretary of
State of Georgia, former member of Georgia
State Senate, owner of Kemp Properties
Dr. Douglas B. Kersey (1995), dentist, Lagrange, Georgia
John H. Kingston (1976), Congressman from
Georgia, Washington, DC
Kevin L. Knox (1977), director of development at the University of Alabama @ Birmingham School of Business
Dr. John D. Lamon Jr., (1923), surgeon in San
Jose, California
Judge Clay D. Land (1979), Article III Federal
Judge for the U.S. District Court for the
Middle District of Georgia, appointed in
2001
Dr. Richard A. Langford (1968), professor of
microbiology at the University of Georgia
Mark Lewis (1980), chief financial officer
of MWV Community Development and Land
Management Group
Judge Harold W. Long Jr. (1961), Judge of
Small Claims Court, Stewart, Florida
Dr. Charles Machemehl (1979), orthodontist, Duluth, Georgia
Lewis Massey (1985), former Secretary of
State of Georgia
Dr. Michael McBride, (1964), retired physician, Valdosta, Georgia
Dr. W. Rob McCormack (1995), dentist, oral
surgeon, Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. William L. McDaniel, Jr. (1955), retired
physician, Dalton, Georgia
Dr. Thomas F. McDonald (1952), vice chancellor student services of the University
System of Georgia and professor emeritus
of psychology, Atlanta, Georgia
Dr. Raymond McMahon (1939), professor in
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the Department of Fine Arts, BirminghamSouthern College
Harrison Minchew (1979), owner Signature
Golf Design, Jacksonville, Florida
Dr. George T. Mitchell III (1974), dentist,
Duluth, Georgia
Dr. Thomas Moynahan (1979), dentist, Newnan, Georgia
Eugene Moore (1958), president of Moore
Pontiac, Buick, and GMC Truck, Canton,
Georgia
Dr. Arthur A. Morrison (1920), surgeon, Savannah, Georgia
Dr. Howard J. Morrison (1925), pediatrician,
Savannah, Georgia
Dr. Earl N. Mullis (1983), surgeon, Macon,
Georgia
John S. Neel (1984), CEO Sanford Co., Macon,
Georgia; member of the executive committee
of the University of Georgia Alumni Association
Dr. John G. Norris (1989), immunologist,
Charlotte, North Carolina
Dr. Foster H. Northrup (1985), veterinarian,
Louisville, Kentucky
Keith M. Oelke (1975), executive director of
development at the University of Georgia
David S. Oyler (1991), CEO and president of
Inmark, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia
Jonathan B. Pannell (2000), attorney with
Gray and Pannell, Savannah, Georgia, member of the Board of Directors of the University of Georgia Alumni Association
Thomas H. “Trey” Paris III (1983), manager of
government relations for General Electric, Atlantic, Georgia; past president of
the executive committee of the University
of Georgia Alumni Association
David Parkman (1960), executive director
of university advancement emeritus at the
State University of West Georgia
Trummie L. Patrick III (1998), with State Farm
Insurance, Roswell, Georgia; member of the
Board of Directors of the University of
Georgia Alumni Association
Alexander W. Patterson (1962), retired attorney with Alston & Bird LLP, Athens,
Georgia; appeared on the cover of the
Cross & Crescent
Schley L. Perry III (1989), executive vice president of government affairs at the National
Cotton Council, Washington, DC
Dr. Randall J. Phillips (1984), dentist, Gainesville, Georgia
Dr. Carl Pittman (1937), retired physician,
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Tifton, Georgia
John Rauch (1949), Head Coach of the Oakland Raiders; played professional football
with the New York Bulldogs in 1949, the
New York Yanks in 1950 and 1951 as well as
the Philadelphia Eagles in 1951; member of
the Georgia State Athletic Hall of Fame,
inducted into the College Football Hall of
Fame
Judge William M. Ray II (1985), Superior
Court Judge, Gwinnett County Superior
Court, Lawrenceville, Georgia
Dr. William H. Rhodes Jr. (1953), physician,
Union Point, Georgia
Frank A. Richter (1967), played professional
football for the Denver Broncos from 1967
to 1969
Dr. Thad A. Riddle (1993), orthopedic surgeon, Cartersville, Georgia
John Roberts (1932), played professional
football with the Boston Braves in 1932 as
well as the Staten Island Stapletons in the
same year, the Philadelphia Eagles in 1933
and 1934, as well as the Pittsburgh Pirates
in the same year; member of the Georgia
State Athletic Hall of Fame
Dr. Grant J. Scarborough (1994), physician,
Augusta, Georgia
Dr. Gaines E. Sewell (1938), dentist, Savannah, Georgia
Dr. Bruce Sharpe (1976), physician, Alma,
Georgia
James T. Skipworth (1942), member of the
Georgia State Athletic Hall of Fame, killedin-action during World War II
Dr. Frank Slater (1925), physician, Georgia
Dr. John R. Smith (1927), physician, Hahira,
Georgia
Dr. Charles A. Snyder (1957), professor of
information systems, Auburn University
David Steed (1965), director of Burger King
Account Group in Europe, Coca-Cola Export Corp., London, England
Dr. Otis H. Stephens Jr. (1954), distinguished
professor of political sciences & law at the
University of Tennessee
Dr. Charles H. Stone (Illinois 1916), founder
of the chapter; also founder of Lambda Chi
Alpha at Oklahoma State University and assisted in founding at Vanderbilt; served as
chapter adviser at Oklahoma State, Vanderbilt, College of William & Mary, and Mercer;
served as librarian at Mercer for 20 years;
received Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order of Merit
in 1935
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Dr. James R. Story (1969), cardiologist, Spartanburg, South Carolina
Dr. Robert S. Strickland (1945), physician,
Mableton, Georgia
William S. Stuckey Sr. (1930), founder of
Stuckey’s, a roadside convenience store and
restaurant
Joseph P. “Terry” Tereshinski (1947), former
professional football player with the
Washington Redskins from 1947 to 1954
Col. Warren A. Thrasher (1940), professor
emeritus of management, Athens, Georgia
Charles Trippi (1946), winner of the Maxwell Award in 1946; played professional
football with the Chicago Cardinals
from 1947 to 1955; inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro
Football Hall of Fame; member of the Georgia State Athletic Hall of Fame; ranked
20th greatest college football player of
all-time by ESPN
Dr. Gaines W. Walter (1915), professor emeritus at Georgia State University; writer of
“Hail To Georgia,” the fight song of the
University of Georgia in 1931
Dr. Richard B. Weeks (1923), surgeon, Augusta, Georgia
John “Judge” White (1930), organized the
Alabama District of Key Club International; recipient of Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order
of Merit
Joel A. Wier III (1963), (U.S. Naval Academy),
retired senior vice president and financial
consultant Smith-Barney Inc.; former president of the National Alliance on Mental
Illness – Mid-Carolina
Dr. Charles C. Wike (1961), surgeon, Eatonton, Georgia
Joseph H. Williams (1966), chairman of the
board for First Alliance Bank, Jacksonville, Florida
Charles R. Yarbrough (1959), 1995 recipient
of the Alumni Merit Award from the University of Georgia
Cross & Crescent June 2011
FRATERNITY NEWS
New ELCs and IHQ Staff Updates
On June 6, 2011, seven new ELCs join the Professional Staff in Indianapolis.
By Tad Lichtenauer (Denison 1987)
This summer, the General Fraternity welcomes 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 interns at the International Headquarters or as
members of the Student Advisory Committee or Council
of Presidents.
Chris Kirkeby (South Dakota 2011)
Kirkeby grew up in Rapid
City, South Dakota. He graduated from the University of
South Dakota with a degree
in media and journalism. His
hobbies include watching
movies as well as making
them. He also enjoys playing and watching sports. As
an undergraduate brother he
served his chapter as president, ritualist, and house manager. He also served on the International Ritual Team.
Joseph Chavez (St. Mary’s 2011)
Chavez is a graduate of St.
Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, where he majored in
biology. Originally from El Paso,
his hobbies and interests are playing baseball, tennis, volleyball,
and racquetball. He also enjoys
watching movies and reading
books. As an undergraduate
brother he served his chapter as
recruitment chairman, treasurer,
and ritualist.
David Walthius (Indiana 2010)
A graduate from Indiana University, Walthius majored in
anthropology and Near Eastern
languages and cultures. He
is originally from Downer’s
Grove, Illinois. His hobbies
include listening to and writing
music, golfing, and traveling.
As an undergraduate brother he
served his chapter as president,
vice president, and fraternity
educator.
Brandon Hebert (Simpson 2011)
Majoring in media and journalism at Simpson College,
Hebert grew up in Charles
City, Iowa. His hobbies
include watching movies, discussing philosophy, fishing,
and playing golf and basketball. As an undergraduate
brother he served his chapter
as scholarship chairman and
fraternity educator. He also
served the General Fraternity
as a member of the Student Advisory Committee.
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FRATERNITY NEWS
Other IHQ Staff Updates
Nick Ludwig (Coe 2011)
From Byron, Illinois, Ludwig
graduated from Coe College
with a degree in business administration/communication
and public relations. He enjoys playing soccer, running,
singing, and also works on
website design. As an undergraduate brother he served his
chapter as president, secretary,
and recruitment chairman. He
served the General Fraternity
as the vice chairman of the Council of Presidents.
•Marcus Kelley is leaving staff in August after serving
two years as an ELC. He has been accepted into graduate school at Ball State University and he will begin
there in the fall.
•Bobby Collins has finished his time on staff after serving one year as an ELC. He has moved back to New
Jersey but hopes to eventually settle in Washington, DC.
•Nat Hooven has finished his time on staff after serving
one year as an ELC. He has moved back to New Mexico
and will be getting married in the fall.
•Josh Birchfield has finished his time on staff after serving as an ELC and then as an associate director of chapter services. He will remain on staff until August and
then begin his next journey as a U.S. Army chaplain.
•Matt Roy has left staff after serving as an ELC and then
as the associate director of harm reduction. He plans to
stay in the Indianapolis area and work in education.
•Matt Schultz has finished his time on staff after two
years as an ELC. He has moved to Oklahoma and plans
to begin working for an energy company.
•Brad Hawse has finished his time on staff after serving
two years as an ELC. He has moved back to Dayton,
Ohio, and is actively looking for a new career opportunity.
•Chris Cole, who has served as both an ELC and associate director of chapter services, is the new associate
director of harm reduction.
•Chase Simpson was promoted from an ELC to an associate director of chapter services.
•Vince Cain was promoted from an ELC to an associate
director of chapter services.
•Aaron Fieseler was promoted from an ELC to a senior
ELC of education, working for Director of Education
Tim Reuter.
Nolan Ryan (Southeast Missouri 2011)
Ryan is a graduate from Southeast Missouri State University
where he majored in elementary
education. He is from O’Fallon,
Missouri. His interests include
traveling, camping, and going
to concerts. As an undergraduate brother he served his chapter
as vice president, recruitment
chairman, and alumni chairman.
Joe Citro (Florida Southern 2011)
Joe is a graduate from Florida
Southern with a degree in Advertising. His hometown is Palm
Harbor, Florida. His interests include swimming, extreme sports
and watching movies. While an
undergraduate, he served as the
inner circle chairman for two
years and was also the scholastic
chairman.
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
FRATERNITY NEWS
Modeling the Way
Advice from a Beta-Alpha young alumni brother at Angelo State.
By Chance Fincher (Angelo State)
As a 2009 graduate of Angelo State University, I was
sitting in a café about nine months ago with four other
alumni brothers from the Beta-Alpha chapter, listening
to the outgoing chapter alumni association president,
Dick Robertson (Angelo State 1970), as he handed over
the organization.
As new alumni officers were elected, I knew there
would be no more need for complaints about support;
this was my opportunity to take action.
No More Excuses
As the five of us looked around the table that day, the
feeling was mutual; this was our time.
An exemplary leader and an incredibly dedicated brother, he had served his time in the association and he knew
it was time to let this younger group take over.
We now had supervisory responsibilities and the ability
to bring new opportunities to fruition. This is not to say
that we wanted to be dominating or controlling, we just
felt as though we had freedom to implement things that
we had always talked about.
The four alumni brothers and I had stayed active in the
chapter through thick and thin -- no money, low numbers, few resources, little help, and the like. Two of us at
the table remember vividly a time at which we were two
of only four active members in the active chapter.
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This new-found confidence even seemed symbolically
represented as the alumni association checkbook was
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FRATERNITY NEWS
president.
Looking back on all of the offices we have held, we
feel as though there would have been less stress placed
upon us if we’d had an alumni brother to provide back
up. We are very lucky to have Marcus Kelley from the
International Headquarters staff on this board. He will
be an immense asset and will provide tons of insight. We
simply took volunteers, which wasn’t a challenge because this seemed to be personal for some of these guys.
They wanted to do it.
slid across the table from the old president to the new
one. I looked around the table and admired these guys
and felt lucky to be associated with them, that we wear
the same insignia, that we know the same things.
I was happy just to be there, to see us meeting up like
this with no second thoughts, nothing better to do, nothing more important at that time, despite the fact that
most of us had to leave that day to travel long distances
in separate directions around Texas.
More recently, we had our White Rose Weekend, when
we initiated four new brothers on Friday April 29th, held
Alumni vs. Actives Softball on Saturday morning, and
then held White Rose the same evening. We teamed up
with the active chapter to help them organize the festivi-
As an associate member, I never thought that I’d be sitting here with these guys helping to revamp our alumni
association.
Though I may not have known it at the time, this was
what I wanted when I rushed as a freshman, to be here,
to be united the way we were. I was a little jealous -- the
chapter was turning a page in its 40 year history and I
wasn’t in college anymore.
Staying Informed
As I mentioned before, the really good thing about the
new alumni association is that we’re the younger generation of Lambda Chi alumni. That means we’re up
to date on the many changes our fraternity has gone
through in recent years (for example, the TRUE Brother
Initiative and so on).
This really helps us out in terms of advising, as we
don’t have to play catch up. We are installing an Alumni
Advisory Board that includes the Officer Mentorship
Program, headed by Grant Walker, a former chapter
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ties according to what was convenient for undergraduates and alumni as a whole. We put the word out on our
end, as well as providing some additional funding to
cover the new alumni attendees who were responding to
our invitations.
Alumni Association President Michael Murray worked
extremely hard, reaching out to alumni ahead of White
Rose Weekend, and putting together an updated chapter
directory. This being the first big event with the new
alumni association in place, we really felt as though we
needed to prove ourselves both to alumni who have not
signed up, and to the active chapter.
It was a calling that came at the right time and which
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TRUE BROTHER
Lifetime Brothers
demanded an answer. I don’t mean to sound like a Field
of Dreams but you know what I mean; it’s a challenge
we’re dead set on achieving. Though there are those
brothers we have always kept up with, whom we respect
and appreciate, I have to say this is the first time I’ve
seen this kind of new alumni presence. It’s very exciting.
I consider myself fortunate to be a part of this along
with guys who are committed to continuing our Lambda
Chi experience. I hung with these guys for four and a
half solid years. You don’t just let something like that
go. It takes getting out of school and being on your own
to realize how much you experienced with the brothers,
or how good you had it when you were in college and in
the full swing of things.
During our last meeting we discussed the plans we have
for the future but those plans are contingent upon our
immediate goals involving membership and finances.
By the end of the year, we need to have so much in the
bank, and so many members, in order to act on ideas
for things like alumni events, trips, a scholarship fund,
a lodging fund, and creating new programming while
improving the existing ones.
We did so much together; just living you know? We literally were like our own community, and still are. This
alumni association is simply a catalyst for our graduates
to continue to be involved in the brotherhood.
And to be content in knowing that it was worth it...and it
still is.
Though it’s mostly fun, the hard work is going down
right now, but eventually (soon) we would like to start
offering our brothers and association members some
benefits, or a good service if you will. That’s the way I
see it anyway.
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
TRUE BROTHER
Heroic Rescue
Samford brothers exemplify what our great Fraternity teaches.
By Thomas Roberts (Edinboro)
the road and away from their view.
Zip quickly turned his vehicle around and headed back
to where they had last seen Blake’s truck.
“We were looking for him and thinking that there was
no way he could have gone over that edge,” Zip says.
“We were looking for him in the woods until someone
finally leaned over and looked down into the creek. We
saw the bottom of his truck sticking up. It was completely flipped over.”
Blake’s vehicle had hydroplaned and jumped the curb,
then dropped approximately 30 feet and landed in the
creek below, upside down.
After realizing what happened, Nicholas called 911
while Zip headed down toward the water.
“As soon as I got to the bottom of the hill I took everything out of my pockets
and jumped into the
water,” Zip says. “When I
reached the truck I could
see that he was not making any movement or
noise.”
A group of Samford University students, including
several Lambda Chi brothers, had spent the day sharing
fellowship and enjoying each others’ company at a local
alumni brother’s home.
William Zip Brown (Samford), initiated last February,
had no idea of the many values he would display before
the night’s end. Brothers David Nicholas West (Samford), Adam Blake Sittre (Samford), and Zip then drove
to a local restaurant to share dinner with a few guests.
Zip hoped for the best
while his brother remained motionless,
upside down, and trapped
underwater in his car.
The group drove home in rain that left the double-lane
road wet and which set the stage for the unfortunate
events to follow. After rounding a corner the occupants
of the second car looked out their windows and noticed
the tail lights of Blake’s leading vehicle disappearing off
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“I knew that if I did not
get him out in time that he was going to drown, if he
hadn’t already,” Zip says. “There was about an inch of
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Cross & Crescent June 2011
TRUE BROTHER
the truck out of the water and the rest was under. We
were prepared for the worst.“
glass while Blake walked away with his hands just
slightly scratched.
“While breaking the window open with my fist the
glass cut my hand. At first I could only get the door
open about a quarter of the way because it was wedged
against the bank. When I finally opened it up, I heard
him yelling, “I’m okay! I’m okay! I can breathe! Get me
out of here!”
The recent, heavy rains had left the creek deeper than
usual and allowed the water to cushion the fall. Blake
was shaken by the whole thing but had no significant
injuries.
Make Meaning
Nick and Zip acted above and beyond in this situation
exemplifying all of what our great Fraternity represents.
When asked what he would take away from this experience Zip said: “It felt just like a reaction more than
anything. I felt like I was doing that for a bigger purpose
and not just for myself.”
It is safe to say that our brothers acted within all seven
of our Core Values and showed an extreme amount of
Personal Courage.
Share
As the fraternity educator, Zip has the responsibility to
teach and educate the brothers of his chapter. This experience provided an opportunity for growth and learning
within our values.
The chapter spent time talking about the event in addition to having more private conversions with Blake and
his mother.
“He told me from his perspective that he remembers
hydroplaning and hitting the curb and he remembers
slipping and hitting the water,” Zip says. “He saw an
air pocket by the pedals and happened to get to that air
pocket just as I got to him.”
Zip alerted the group that Blake was okay and, by then,
Nick was also making his way into the water. “We were
both standing by the door while I reached into the opening to help him get out,” Zip says. “Once he had hold of
my arm I started pulling him out and towards the bank.”
Reflect
The paramedics arrived shortly after they got Blake to
the bank. Zip had a cut on his hands from the broken
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Cross & Crescent June 2011