Cross & Crescent

September 2008 marked the kick-off of approximately 30 mini-celebrations in major cities across North America. These receptions 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.

Serving as hosts of the first events from the Lambda Chi Alpha International Headquarters staff were a combination of Educational Foundation CEO Mark Bauer(Cal State-Fullerton 1979), Executive Vice President Bill Farkas (Butler 1988), Associate Director of Development Josh Lodolo (Cal State-Northridge 2004), and Associate Director of Alumni Relations Dan Hartmann (Truman State 2007).

The first Centennial Celebration stops were in Seattle, Portland, and Toronto, and included the unveiling of specially selected historical artifacts, most of which date back to the beginning of Lambda Chi Alpha, for viewing by the attendees.

September 17 — Seattle

Dozens of alumni and their guests gathered on September 17, 2008, at the Washington Athletic Club in downtown Seattle with a view overlooking Puget Sound. Fraternity Board Member Lynn Chipperfield (Drury 1973) attended, as did former Board Member Jeff Steele (Washington-WA 1964).

Besides Steele, University of Washington was well represented by brothers Tom Krilich (1963), John Sandstrom (1980), and Bob Swain (1987). Of course the dean of Washington alumni attending was Don Hart (Washington-WA 1945), a member of our Order of Merit for his extensive service to the chapter.

But UW didn’t have a corner on the market of brothers celebrating that evening. Bill Fitch (Washington State 1950) from Washington State was a genuine highlight.

Too many alumni brothers of note were there to name them all but they included Roy Hughes (Wake Forest 1960), Erik Jansen (Rose-Hulman 1978), and Jim Stubner (Illinois 1942).

This was the first centennial gathering where a traveling display of historical items from the international headquarters was exhibited. Those gathered enjoyed seeing the old (1910s) photographs, and looking through documents from 70-80 years ago.

September 18 — Portland

McMenamin’s Grand Lodge, west of Portland, Oregon,a superb, historic facility that includes hotel rooms and restaurants, was the site for a gathering of brothers on September 18, 2008. The neat part is that brother Brian McMenamin (Oregon State 1980) from Oregon State was with us –- yes, his company owns the great property.

Fraternity Board Member Lynn Chipperfield (Drury 1973) was the featured speaker.

Order of Merit recipients and Oregon State brothers Bill Deeks (Oregon State 1970) and Gerry Reese (Oregon State 1974) attended –- two key men in the backbone and longevity of the strength of our chapter in Corvallis, Oregon.

Dave Leathers (Cal State-Fresno 1982) was there, too. A Fresno State alumnus who once served on the staff team of the International Headquarters, he is the chapter adviser at Oregon State and a Master Steward in our True Brother Initiative. Leathers has only begun his involvement with Oregon State compared to Deeks and Reese above, but he has brought renewed focus and vigor to that chapter.

Bauer also was excited to finally meet Martin Nygaard (Oregon State 1951) at this reception. Nygaard has been a generous supporter of Lambda Chi Alpha for many years. Nygaard lives in Astoria, Oregon, and went far out of his way to join us.

Bruce Petersen (Oregon State 1980) also made a four-hour trip to the Portland reception just to spend a couple of hours with brothers from the state, and begin establishing the Oregon Area Alumni Association.

However the true highlight of this reception was probably the fantastic turnout of undergraduate brothers from both Oregon State in Corvallis, and the University of Oregon in Eugene. Neither of those spots is exactly in Portland –-the brothers who attended sacrificed their afternoons and evenings.

It is always an honor and privilege to meet and gather with outstanding alumni brothers. Yet, keeping our focus on the quality of the undergraduate experience is what makes Lambda Chi Alpha a leader among fraternities. Over 265,000 men have been undergraduates in Lambda Chi Alpha and generations ahead are sure to follow.

September 25 — Toronto

On September 25, 2008, about 50 brothers and guests celebrated our Fraternity in Canada and our 100 years at a special reception in downtown Toronto.

Clearly, this event was characterized by the tremendous attendance (a big percentage of the whole chapter) of the student members of our up-and-coming Toronto chapter. They brought energy, the technical ability to show our centennial video, and the appetites only younger men can possess.

The food for the reception was set up just outside the room where everyone was socializing and, in less time than it takes one brother to send a text message to another, we said “food is available” and they ate! The rest of us alumnus brothers didn’t have to worry about overeating!

Beyond our youngest brothers from the local chapter, we had a nice turnout of alumni who have made our Fraternity successful over the last 50 years and more. Bob Coffey (McGill 1956), Bill Fearn (McGill 1965), and Don Pounsett (Toronto 1956) were there. However, when we surveyed the room for whom to honor as the man who has been a brother the longest, that recognition went to Barrie Blanshard (Toronto 1953) initiated at Toronto in 1949.

Those alumni initiated from the late 1940s through the 1960s lived the golden age of our Fraternity and it is always a superb honor to meet them. You can look into their eyes and see our past, but their words always tell us they are interested in and excited about our future.

Bauer enjoyed visiting with Ben Hamburger (Toronto 1983) at the reception and meeting his wife. She was patient with our band of brothers and we enjoyed hearing Hamburger reminisce a bit about attending General Assemblies in New Orleans and Memphis years back. The New Orleans gathering was when Lambda Chi Alpha celebrated 75 years, and he recalled that we did so in style.

Bauer also reconnected with Mike Demeter (Western Ontario 1994). He was the 37th initiate of our Western Ontario chapter, and he was the chapter president when Bauer attended their chartering in November 1993.

Farkas was the Very Important Brother at this event, and he would agree that the blending of generations, which is Lambda Chi Alpha, was never more evident than at the event in Toronto, nor was the international spirit of our great Fraternity.

More Events to Come

These groups of brothers in Seattle, Portland, and Toronto may never gather as the same group again. But if you think about it, that was always true in the Fraternity. Year to year, generation to generation, we have come together and shared a part of our lives, but no two meetings are the same

Click here to view the schedule, and register for one of the remaining events in your area. For more information about any of the receptions, please contact Dan Hartmann at dhartmann@lambdachi.org.