Living Legends Kickoff Centennial Celebration
by Tad Lichtenauer • August 2008 • 11 Comments •
With more than 700 undergraduate and alumni brothers in attendance, the 52nd General Assembly in Phoenix was filled with brotherhood and memorable moments.
On the most notable ones occurred on the final night at the Purple, Green, & Gold Brotherhood Banquet.
After an inspirational keynote speech by comedian/actor Lance Krall (Georgia State 1993), Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler 1988) informed the attendees that five speakers would come to the podium and reflect upon what Lambda Chi Alpha’s 100-year milestone means to them to kickoff the 18-month-long Centennial Celebration.
The speakers represented the past, present, and future. They were: Executive Vice President Emeritus George W. Spasyk (Michigan 1949) , former Grand High Alpha Rev. S. George “Doc” Dirghalli (Florida 1950), Grand High Alpha Dr. Ed Leonard (William Jewell 1979) , Travis Smith (Indiana 2009), and former Grand High Alpha Dr. Murphy M. Osborne, Jr. (High Point 1958).
George Spasyk
Before Spasyk answered the question about how Lambda Chi Alpha came into existence and grew to 300 chapters and nearly 270,000 initiated brothers, he commented about the success of this year’s General Assembly.
“There is one true way of determining the success of a General Assembly and that is how many standing ovations there are during the course of a General Assembly,” he said. “And quite frankly I only have an MBA from Michigan, and I can’t count that high. I’m afraid to clear my throat for fear that I might get another standing ovation.”
Spasyk received another standing ovation, and several more during and after his remarks.
“How did we get to be so successful over a 100-year period? For some unusual, strange karma, or fate, we always seem to have had the right people in the right place at the right time.”
In addition to himself, Spasyk went on to comment about some of the other unique, diverse, and multifaceted group of Lambda Chi Alpha’s leadership over 100 years: Warren A. Cole (Boston 1912), Dr. John E. Mason Jr. (Pennsylvania 1913), Ernst J.C. Fischer (Cornell 1910), Bruce H. McIntosh (DePauw 1916), Linn C. Lightner (Franklin & Marshall 1918), Cyril F. “Duke” Flad (Wittenberg 1940), Dr. Ed Leonard (William Jewell 1979), and William T. Farkas (Butler 1988).
“All through our entire history, somehow or other, the right guy surfaced at the right time when we needed that particular area of expertise the most,” Spasyk said. “And yet that doesn’t even include people like Tozier Brown, and Lew Plourd, and Houston Karnes, and Murphy Osborne, and Bobby Ray Hicks, and all the other leaders we’ve had.”
These leaders have then inspired the ones who really account for the success of Lambda Chi Alpha over the last 99 and one half years and that is the undergraduate brothers and the efforts and resources they provide.
“But really it’s the membership of our Fraternity — the undergraduates and the alumni. So it’s the people that have made us the success we are in our first 100 years,” he said.
Doc Dirghalli
After Spasyk was finished speaking, Dirghalli delivered his perspective of the significance of our Fraternity’s nearly 100 years.
“Thanks George for bringing to life the story of our Fraternity,” he said. “That’s all we are. We’re simply a story.”
Dirghalli explained that our Fraternity’s uniqueness is the spirituality and that is not necessarily easy to discuss. Yet, Lambda Chi Alpha is not a thing or a product.
“Lambda Chi Alpha is more,” he said. “It’s an idea. It’s simply a vision wrapped up in an idea. You can’t touch it. It’s not a place you can pinpoint on a map. It’s not merely a presence on campus or in a community. Rather it is an envisioning idea, and its true essence exists chiefly in the heart, mind, and soul of men like you and like me.”
The Lambda Chi Alpha spirit is alive, strong, and one that breathes life itself.
“It comes to life when you live its story,” Dirghalli said. “You can’t weigh it, you couldn’t package it, you couldn’t make it a product of mass consumption can’t quantify it.”
The ultimate answer to our uniqueness is the uniqueness of our Initiation Ritual.
“The Ritual is our Fraternity,” he said. “And what it exemplifies and teaches and becomes and beckons us each to continue the journey once begun.”
Murphy Osborne
Finally, Osborne walked to the podium and concluded the historic evening. He reminded the undergraduates to remember what they had just witnessed and to someday tell their grandsons when they join Lambda Chi Alpha.
“Were it not for the leaders that just seemed to pop in by accident, that never were by accident, and they have created us very much of what we are,” he said. “Our Ritual has molded us and continues to mold us.”
Osborne then reminded the undergraduates in attendance that they are the life and future of Lambda Chi Alpha.
“You yourself must choose your path,” he said as a tear came to his eye. “We are the greatest example of brotherhood in the world and that is our future.”
Tom Earp Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:01 pmOne for knowing George Spaysk for many years, I can give nothing but accolades for a Man and yes while just a man, he has been one of the most instrumantal people if my life since 1966.
He has become Mr. LCA for our time!
While the last time I saw G S was at the Indy Conference it was by a fluk. I was looking for him and asked Brother Bill Foltz if he had seen George. Bill told me he was there somewhere and this voice said standing next to me, I am George Spaysk.
So being a beat awe struck I commented, George You do not remember me as I and you go back a long time ago.
His response was just plain and simple, of course Tom I remember you!
This is one of his greatest attributes! He remembers everything!
I am in hopes that he will remember the only Zeta that was Chartered in 1969.
Tom Earp
LX Z 1
Pittsburg State University Ks.
Earle Wollam Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 2:19 pmDoc Dirhalli is still the greatest.
Glenn Askew Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 3:24 pmKudos to the Cross And Crescent editors for this issue. It should be retained by all the brothers and referred to periodically.
It was great to hear the speeches by Bros. Spasyk, Dirghalli and Osborne.It certainly inspired me and made me proud to be a Lambda Chi Alpha brother. I had the pleasure of meeting both Brothers Spasyk and Dirghalli during my undergraduate days at both Southern Methodist and the University of North Texas. I was part of several new chapter establishment ceremonies with Bro. Spasyk in 1956-1957.It was always an honor to be in his company and watch the way he expertly conducted the meetings and ceremonies.He has been a great inspiration to us all!
Glenn Askew, LtCol,USAF(ret).
GS 585
Southern Methodist University
Scott Saunders Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 4:34 pmI too remember George, Doc and Murphy with very fond memories from a trip to the Lake of the Ozarks General Assembly. I was a SAC member in ‘78-79. I joined the fraternity obviously,like most if not all brothers not understanding what the exact meaning of Lambda Chi Alpha was. However, now knowing, as we all now do, would it not be great if we all recommitted ourselves to what those three letters actually mean.
Scott Saunders
Lambda Beta 200
Jon Bergstrom Says:
August 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pmI have some very vivid (great) memories of George Spasy and “Doc” Dhirghalli. It has been more than 50 years since I had the pleasure and privelege of meeting these two brothers. I haven’t seen either of them in over 50 years, but I still carry warm memories and thoughts of them. They, along with many others, signify Lambda Chi Alpha and its precepts to me…….Jon Bergstrom, Kappa-Upsilon 532
Zachary Tucker Says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 5:11 pmI am sorry that I missed this event. This is a once in a life time event.
Henry McNulty Says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 8:50 pmI knew Doc 40 years ago when he was an adviser to our chapter (Omicron Zeta at Cornell). His vision and wisdom were inspirational then, and as far as I can tell, he has not lost one iota of wit and wisdom in the intervening four decades. Doc, long may you wave!
Christian Berle Says:
August 3rd, 2008 at 11:35 pmHey,
I had a great time at the General Assembly getting to spend time and break bread with Brothers Spasyk, Dirghali, Osborne among countless other living legends in our fraternity. I encourage everyone to try and make it to the Centennial Assembly in Indianapolis or one of the receptions being held around the country and Canada (https://www.omegafi.com/apps/securedonationsdesktop/lambdachi/alumnievent_display.php4), to say hello to brothers you haven’t seen in a long time, and to meet new brothers.
In ZAX,
Christian Berle
Delta Xi 115
Donald Bealer Says:
August 4th, 2008 at 7:53 amAs charter president of Iota Omega as a colony and then as president of the chapter, I had the pleasure of working with George in getting the colony approved and the formation of the colony and chapter. He later invited me to come up to visit the National office and a visit to Ball State. The influence he left with me has been with me all my life. After many years overseas, I returned to Lafayette and was instrumental in getting our house on the new fraternity at the university.
Once you meet George, he will always be with you and be a guiding light in your life.
Wish I could have been there.
Don Bealer,
Iota Omega #1
Ted Van Hessen Says:
August 6th, 2008 at 6:30 pmWow, what a night it must have been!
During my tenure on the Student Advisory Committee and through two General Assemblies, I had the honor and priviledge to know and work with both George Spasyk and Rev. Dirghalli. In every sense of the word, these men epitomize what it is to be a member of Lambda Chi Alpha.
To echo the words of others, I too wish I had been there.
Ted Van Hessen
Phi Delta 1
Glen Alan Graham Says:
August 23rd, 2008 at 11:56 amHm-m-m! Reading the names Spasyk and Dirghalli certainly brings back memories of when I was an undergraduate at the University of Idaho and an a.m. at Epsilon-Gamma Zeta there! Both men were leaders of our Brotherhood at that time and were spoken of respectfully in the E-G chapter house there in Moscow, Idaho.
Oh, yes! what memories these two names ignite, of when they were going into the “golden years” of their service to the Brotherhood and yours truly was just getting started on the road of ZAX. You know, I seem to remember that I saw Brother Dirghalli and perhaps also Bro. Spasyk at the Opryland Hotel when our General Assembly was held there. Now THERE are some more fond memories: that lovely hotel in Nashville, my first witnessing of the Ritual outside the walls of E-G Zeta’s house, my first nite at the Grand Ole Opry and with my Brothers in the Bond beside me enjoying live country music. . . . And just now I’ve moved back to “Music City, USA” — haven’t attended the Opry again yet, but I listen every weekend (and keep remembering that first visit along with my LCA Brothers).
Wish I could have been in Phoenix; seems like it was one of the best General Assemblies ever! Am really looking forward to the Centennial celebration in ‘09.
In ZAX,
Glen Alan Graham
EG 540 (Idaho ‘76)