Cross & Crescent

At this summer’s General Assembly in Phoenix, Arizona, Lambda Chi Alpha will launch its official Centennial Celebration — commemorating 100 years since our founding in 1909.

Warren A. Cole (Boston 1912), Lambda Chi Alpha’s founder, had a unique vision nearly a century ago. That vision has blossomed into one of the world’s most successful fraternal organizations, hosted by nearly 200 campuses, representing 10,000 active undergraduates, and more than 250,000 initiated brothers.

Exciting plans are in place for our Centennial Celebration. The celebration will encompass 15 months of receptions, banquets, speakers’ series, a ritual exemplification at the Indianapolis Scottish Rite Cathedral, a tour of the Fraternity’s historical landmarks in Boston, Massachusetts, and a black tie gala that will have every other fraternity wishing they wore purple, green, and gold.

The 15-month celebration provides alumni and undergraduates several opportunities for participation, some even with very little travel required, as part of the festivities will be brought to you.

Regional Celebrations

From September 2008 through June 2009, the Fraternity will host approximately 25 mini-celebrations in major cities across North America. These receptions will present an opportunity for alumni to meet key volunteers and staff members, celebrate 100 years of rich history, and learn about plans for the second century. The regional receptions will be co-sponsored by several area alumni associations, which now exist in 15 cities.

During the excitement of our centennial year, the Fraternity will continue the practice of exposing undergraduate brothers to inter-chapter bonding and the international Fraternity through the use of conclaves. Chapters will petition the General Fraternity for the opportunity to host a conclave on their campus.

Each conclave event will hold training on values-based recruiting with the Cole Recruitment Institute, provide officer training, as well as offer True Brother Initiative and Lambda Chi Alpha leadership training. The intent also will be to hold the Neville Advisers College for chapter advisers, plus house corporation training, education, and development.

For more information about centennial conclaves, please contact Director of Chapter Services John Holloway (High Point 1993).

Indianapolis Celebration

The third piece of the Centennial Celebration will take place from July 30-August 1, 2009, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Undergraduate programming will be offered during this event in addition to the majority of our celebratory activities.

An opening dinner for alumni to interact with undergraduate programming participants will be held on Thursday, July 30, 2009. Then, on Friday, July 31, the real fun begins.

The Fraternity Headquarters will be open for tours and an opportunity to meet international leaders. Undergraduate and alumni educational programming will be provided in the afternoon.

That evening, chapter alumni organizations will have the opportunity to host private receptions at our host hotel (Sheraton North at Keystone at the Crossing). Following these receptions, everyone will convene at the Scottish Rite Cathedral downtown for dinner and the official centennial ritual exemplification. The Scottish Rite Cathedral’s theater will be a memorable venue for the performance of the Fraternity’s ritual.

On Saturday, August 1, 2009, brothers will attend the ceremonial General Assembly that will be conducted at Butler University, directly across the street from the Lambda Chi chapter house. This ceremony will include official roll call, special recognition and awards for alumni and undergraduates, and the State of the Fraternity address by Grand High Alpha Dr. Ed Leonard III (William Jewell 1979).

Following the ceremonial General Assembly session, educational programs will be offered for alumni to learn about the Fraternity’s current operations and plans.

That evening is the black tie gala, where all alumni, undergraduates and guests will come together to celebrate like only Lambda Chis know how to do. Tuxedo rentals will be available. This dinner function will be preceded by special affinity group receptions as well as a general reception. Nothing will be spared for this black tie event, red carpet and all.

Alumni are strongly encouraged to bring guests to this celebration. A guest program will be organized, including a dessert reception (while brothers are in the ritual exemplification), shopping excursions at the Keystone Fashion Mall (adjacent to the host hotel), and plenty of other activities to enjoy while in town.

Chapter Alumni Receptions

The Fraternity has an opportunity for 10 chapter alumni groups to host private receptions prior to the dinner and ritual exemplification on Friday, July 31, 2009. If your chapter hosts an annual get together this might serve as the perfect opportunity to congregate.

Rather than hosting something on campus, why not combine a private chapter reception with the Centennial Celebration? If you are interested in learning more about hosting a private alumni reception, please contact Director of Alumni Relations Josh Lodolo (Cal State-Northridge 2004).

Boston Celebration

The final event celebrating Lambda Chi Alpha’s centennial will take place in November 2009 where the Fraternity was founded: Boston, Massachusetts. This two-day event will consist of a tour of historic landmarks, including places where the name “Lambda Chi Alpha” was first uttered, the first chapter house, and plenty of other interesting historical landmarks.

This celebration also will include a reception with area alumni, and a formal dinner to close Lambda Chi Alpha’s first 100 years.

Logo Contest

If you just can’t wait until next summer for the celebration kickoff, you have an opportunity to get involved today. The Fraternity has organized a contest for alumni and undergraduate members to design the official centennial logo.

This logo will appear on all celebratory materials, including letterhead and official Fraternity merchandise. All logo designs must be submitted in vector format to Josh Lodolo by March 31, 2008.

Make Plans Today

An opportunity like this happens only once a century. Consider joining the thousands of alumni and undergraduate members of Lambda Chi Alpha who will be touched by one of these many celebratory opportunities.