Cross & Crescent

The chapter held its 10th Annual Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni Reverse Raffle on February 27, 2009, to raise money for the House Renovation Fund and to support several undergraduate brothers. The event was the largest ever and raised more than $7000.

At the 2008 Greek Leadership Awards, the chapter won the Interfraternal Award, Member Development Award, the New Member Development Award, Risk Management Award, and the Dean’s Cup (most outstanding fraternity).

Chapter brothers traveled to Kingsland, Texas, for their annual Brother Retreat.

Chapter brothers collected food for the North American Food Drive.

Chapter brothers held a mixer with the Sigma Kappa-Zeta Kappa chapter called the “Twist and Tangle Mixer.”

Hosted by the Saint Joseph’s University chapter, more than 90 brothers from 12 chapters attended the Atlantic Conclave held on March 27-28, 2009. The conclave was organized by Saint Joseph’s Brendan Ledwith (Saint Joseph’s). Chapters attending the event included Villanova University, University of Pennsylvania, Lycoming College, Saint Joseph’s University, Penn State University, Gettysburg College, Millersville University, Shepherd University, George Washington University, University of Maryland, Towson University, and University of Maryland–Baltimore County. Also, there were six chapter advisers and more than five additional alumni from surrounding chapters. Grand High Phi Jim Bond (Central Missouri 1978) was the special guest and keynote speaker.

Hosted by the Vanderbilt University chapter, more than 100 brothers from 12 chapters attended the Bluegrass Conclave held March 27-28, 2009. The conclave was organized by Vanderbilt’s Jeremy Sandler and Cole Carlson. Chapters attending the event came from across Kentucky and Tennessee. Four chapter advisers and additional alumni brothers also attended. Board Member Fletcher McElreath (Mercer 1987) was the special guest and keynote speaker, and conclave programming included Cole Recruitment, Call to Brotherhood, Fraternity Education, Exoteric Mysteries, Harm Reduction, Budgeting, Initiation Ritual History, and an exciting ZAX Jeopardy session.

The chapter held its 29th annual Teeter-Totter Marathon for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The Teeter Totter is a week-long event in which all the brothers and associate members ride the teeter-totter 24 hours a day for the entire week, regardless of the weather. Chapter Vice President Casey Foster was interviewed by two local TV stations, ABC 6 and Fox 59. CNN also aired a news segment and a local radio station broadcast from the site. The chapter expects to raise about $10,000, and other publicity events ranged from a free cookout for 300 people, a free concert featuring four bands (two of which have signed record deals), to Butler President Dr. Bobby Fong putting on the official Teeter-Totter T-shirt with the slogan “Beating Cancer Up and Down” and riding the Teeter Totter with other students who came to witness the spectacle.

The chapter will conduct an Initiation Ritual ceremony for 25 associate members from the California-Los Angeles colony on April 3, 2009. In addition, five associate members from the chapter also will be initiatied.

Hosted by the University of North Carolina–Greensboro chapter brothers, more than 60 Brothers from 11 chapters attended the Colonial Conclave from February 27-28, 2009. The conclave was organized by High Point Chapter Adviser and Master Steward Todd Shoemaker (High Point 1993) and host chapter’s Vice President Jeromy Forshee (North Carolina-Greensboro 2009). Chapters attending the event included Hampden-Sydney College, Old Dominion University, High Point University, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina–Charlotte, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, University of South Carolina–Aiken, University of North Carolina A&T, East Carolina University, Western Carolina University, and Elon University. Director of Chapter Services John Holloway (High Point 1994) was the special guest and keynote speaker.

The chapter held its first Lambda Chi Car Smash on March 11, 2009, to raise money for the local Coles County Animal Shelter. Brian Bates donated a 1981 BMW for the event

The chapter added 10 new associate members this spring and initiated 42 new brothers during the fall semester.

Chapter members participated in their annual Dance Marathon to benefit needy children from February 14-1, 2009, raising more than $375,000. All of the proceeds will go to Children’s Miracle Network at Shands Hospital and the FSU College of Medicine’s Pediatric Outreach Program.

FSU’s swim team has received a big boost from the men of Lambda Chi Alpha. Matt Shead (2011) and Robby Hayes (2011) competed for the Seminoles at the ACC championships. Shead, a sophomore from Welling, Kent, in England, swims the 100 breaststroke, 200 breaststroke, 100 butterfly, and 200 individual medley. He also has competed in the Olympic trials for the British swim team. Hayes, a sophomore from Alpharetta, Georgia, set the school record in the 200 IM with a time of 1:47.84 at U.S. Nationals earlier this year. He also swims the 200 butterfly, 100 freestyle, and 100 butterfly. Steven Pendleton, from Chicago, also is a varsity swimmer, a three-time state champion in Illinois, and competes for FSU in freestyle

Chapter brothers won the tennis and the 3-on-3 basketball intramural competitions. The tennis team, comprised of Chandler French, Mike Simmons, Justin Parham, Chris Slade, won both the Fraternity and All-Campus Championships. The 3-on-3 basketball team, comprised of Boomer Hart, Jordan Bolton, Trevor Hart, Mike Speicher-Harris, and Sid Clark, captured the Fraternity Championship in a game played at the Civic Center following the FSU Varsity game.

Hosted by the University of Akron chapter from March 27-29, 2009, the Great Lakes Conclave was attended by more than 50 brothers from 16 chapters. The event was organized by Conclave Chairman Chris Casteel (Akron) with help from his chapter brothers and brothers of the General Fraternity staff. At the Great Lakes Conclave, undergraduates received training on Harm Reduction, the Cole Recruitment Institute, the Call to Brotherhood, budgeting, and reporting, while others completed the Faithful Steward stage of the True Leader Program. Chapters in the Great Lakes Conclave include Akron, Bowling Green, Case Western, Central Michigan, Denison, Eastern Michigan, Edinboro, Ferris State, Kent State, Kettering A&B, Marietta, Miami (OH), Michigan, Michigan State, Ohio, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, Toronto, Western Michigan, Western Ontario, Wilmington, and Wittenburg.

Hosted by the brothers at Simpson College, 10 Zetas totaling more than 90 brothers came together at the Great Plains Conclave from March 20-22, 2009. This conclave was organized by Simpson Chapter Adviser and Master Steward Mike Kellar (Simpson 1991) and Simpson Conclave Committee Chairman Sam Swalwell (Simpson 2009). Chapters attending the event included Coe College, University of Iowa, Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Nebraska-Omaha, University of South Dakota, Kansas State University, Minnesota State-Mankato, Culver-Stockton College and of course Simpson College. During the closing banquet, Dr. Robert Larsen (Simpson 1956) was awarded the Order of Achievement for his over 50 years of dedication to the music department at Simpson College and the Des Moines Opera. Board Member Lynn Chipperfield (Drury 1973) was the special guest and keynote speaker. Conclave awards included: Chapter Spirit, Nebraska-Omaha; Recruitment, Coe; Retention, Coe, Iowa, and Minnesota State; Man-Miles, Minnesota State.

On March 13, 2009, the Great South Conclave was held by the chapter brothers at Troy University. The conclave was organized by Troy Chapter Adviser Woods Culpepper (Troy 1979), Alumnus John Rogers (Troy 2001) and Troy Chapter Treasurer Tucker Sargent (Troy). More than 70 brothers and associate members came from the states of Alabama and Louisiana to make the conclave a great success. Board Chairman Ed Leonard (William Jewell 1979) was the special guest and keynote speaker. Master Stewards Jeff Steele (Washington 1964) and Mike Smith (Denver 1976) were also in attendance as facilitators and esteemed presenters. The brothers in attendance came together for Outer Circle programming, Initiation Ritual discussions, meals, and a ropes course.

The chapter celebrated its 40th anniversary with a Founders Day celebration on March 21, 2009. Lambda Chi Alpha was the first Greek letter organization to appear on the Illinois State University campus on March 22, 1969.

The chapter will hold a Spring Alumni Day on April 26, 2009, which will include alumni awards, scholarship presentation, and a KU-Nebraska baseball game.

The Kansas chapter has a brand new website.

Hunter Hess was elected to the Student Senate.

Jimmy Goff, Dylan Long, and Nick Fuston have joined the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lawrence, Kansas.

Martin Huggard (Cincinnati) was elected president of the Parents’ Club. He is the father of the chapter’s Fraternity Educator Chris Huggard.

Chapter President William Norton Jr. received the University of Louisville’s Greek Man of the Year Award. He has served as chapter president for two consecutive years, previously serving as chapter treasurer and standards chair.

The chapter has refurbished its chapter room using generous contributions from its House Corporation.

Over the weekend of March 27-29, 2009, brothers from across the states of Indiana and Illinois came together for the Midwestern Centennial Conclave. Hosted by the brothers at Purdue University, more than 90 brothers came together from 15 chapters in a very successful conclave event that was organized through the dedicated efforts of Purdue Conclave Committee Chairman Zach Stewart (Purdue) and Purdue Chapter Adviser Ted Luce (Michigan State). Chapters attending the event included Northwestern University, Lake Forest College, Elmhurst College, Eastern Illinois University, Eureka College, Bradley University, University of Illinois, Valparaiso University, Hanover College, Indiana University, Wabash College, Butler University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and Purdue University. Board Member Drew Hunter (Denver 1984) was the special guest and keynote speaker. Conclave programming included Cole Recruitment, Call to Brotherhood Fraternity Education, Exoteric Mysteries, Harm Reduction, Lambda Chi Alpha History and an exciting ZAX session covering the origins of our Initiation Ritual.

Tyler Holloway became the 34th player to score 1,000 points in his basketball career at Murray State University.

Holloway, Jarad Key, and Bryce Dalrymple were all honored on Senior Night for their contributions to the men’s basketball team at Murray State.

Hosted by chapter brothers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, more than 60 brothers and associate members from seven chapters attended the Northeast Centennial Conclave from March 27-28, 2009. The conclave was organized by Master Stewards Ray Lutzky (RPI 2002) and Roger Grice (Polytechnic 1964) and undergraduates Nick Chivattoni (RPI) and Stephen Lazos (RPI). Chapters attending the event included Boston University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, University of New Hampshire, Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Maine, and Polytechnic Institute. The chapters were able to participate in such programming as Cole Recruitment led by Ray Lutzky, True Leader led by Eric Berger (Boston 1985), and Outer Circle and Inner Circle training led by Fraternity staff. Special guest Board Member Ralph Wilhelm (Cornell 1967) was in attendance. Former Board Member John Minasian (WPI 1972) was the keynote speaker.

Chapter brothers received three awards at the annual Greek Awards ceremony, including Intramural Champions (for the fourth year in a row), Most Improved Grades, and runner-up for Chapter of the Year.

The chapter partnered with Delta Gamma sorority to enter the CAN-struction competition, a university-wide initiative to raise food for the Denton Food Center. Within two days the Lambda Chis and the Delta Gammas collected more than 600 cans, placing third in the competition.

Under the direction of chapter Treasurer Courtlyn Shoate, chapter brothers put on the 23rd annual Miss White Rose OU Pageant on March 3, 2009. The pageant included contestants from 11 sororities who were judged in four categories: Interview, Sports Wear, Talent, and Evening Wear. Awards were given for the overall winner, first runner-up, second runner-up, talent, and crowd favorite.

The pageant is a philanthropy for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and the 500 members in the audience were presented with an overview of the program and given an opportunity to become involved with BBBS by Diane Murphree the program’s executive director. During breaks in the competition the audience was entertained by last year’s winner and by the brothers of Gamma-Rho.

At the end of the pageant Brother Shoate presented Ms Murphree with a check to Big Brothers Big Sisters in the amount of $4,000. In addition to financial support, it is also important for brothers to be involved in the lives of the boys and girls that need big brothers. Currently 58 brothers of Gamma-Rho serve as Big Brothers.

On March 27-29, 2009, brothers from more than 13 chapters gathered at Arkansas State University for a variety of activities and educational programs at the Ozark Conclave. Chapters attending included Arkansas State, University of Arkansas, Culver-Stockton, Central Missouri, Drury, Missouri S&T, University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Oklahoma City, Pittsburg State, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, Truman State, Tulsa, and William Jewell. Prestigious alumni brother H.T. Moore (Arkansas State 1969) was the keynote speaker. Brothers and associate members from all over the conclave drove countless hours to attend the event, with the associate members from Cameron University (Colony 291) driving nine and a half hours to attend. The event was coordinated by the chapter’s High Pi Jacob Hampton and undergraduate member Chris Young (Arkansas State).

Hosted by the brothers of California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, close to 50 brothers attended the Pacific Southwest Conclave during the weekend of March 6-8, 2009. Overseeing the planning and operations were Chapter Risk Manager Bryan Jorgenson (Cal Poly) and James Shimamoto (Cal Poly). Also present were Master Steward and USD High Pi Ken Greenman (USC 1965), Board Member Bob Koch (Cal Berkeley 1971), and Board Member Tom Cochrun (Ball State 1968), who was also the keynote speaker. Chapters attending included the University of San Diego, University of California-San Diego, University of Southern California, University of California-Los Angeles, California State University-Northridge, University of California-Riverside, and the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. The final banquet was highlighted by a presentation from the brothers of Cal Poly regarding their new sustainable housing project, the first of its kind at Cal Poly, scheduled for construction in the coming months.

Hosted by Florida Southern College, more than 50 brothers from five chapters attended the Peninsula Centennial Conclave on March 21, 2009. The conclave was organized by Master Steward Mike Crawford (Florida Southern 1986) and Brett Erwin (Florida Southern). Chapters attending included the University of Florida, University of Central Florida, Florida Southern College, Florida Institute of Technology, and Florida International University. Master Steward Bill Mercer (Mercer 1994) and Master Steward Mike Saunders (Central Florida 1975) were in attendance. Board Member Greg Smith (Washington 1965) was the special guest and keynote speaker.

Chapter brothers participated in THON, the world’s largest philanthropy. This organization raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund in Hershey, Pennsylvania, to help conquer childhood cancer. Every year the brothers, along with a partner sorority, go canning four weekends a year to raise money for this cause. This year the entire THON total was $7,490,133.87, the largest total ever. The chapter brothers raised $186,641 through their hard efforts. This represents the fifth largest total raised by a Greek organization on our expansive campus. For more information about THON and how to help not only our brothers but much more importantly children it benefits, visit Thon.org

The chapter is now part of Beautify America-Kansas, and has a two-mile section of Highway 69 north of Pittsburg, Kansas.

Chapter members participated in Dance Marathon, winning the Matt Williams Spirit Award for making the largest group contribution financially to the event and for being the most spirited.

Joe Gholson (2006) has been accepted into Harvard University Medical School.

Authorities are appealed for public help in finding the hit-and-run driver and a passenger involved in a crash near the University of Southern California that killed Adrianna Bachan, a freshman and a member of the Pi Beta Phi sorority, and critically injured Marcus Garfinkle (2012), a freshman from Scottsdale, Arizona. Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas plans to ask his board colleagues to approve a $10,000 reward for information leading to the conviction of “the persons responsible for the hit-and-run, according to a statement from his office. Chapter President Cameron Kay has rallied the Greek community to try to help convince the Los Angeles City Council to offer a larger monetary reward for the capture of the hit and run driver and passenger. There is a motion for the City of Los Angeles to offer a $75,000 reward for anyone who can provide information that leads to the arrest of the driver and passenger.

Chapter President Wellington Gunn (2010) was chosen as Southeastern Interfraternity Conference’s Area IV vice president. He was chosen from a pool of five candidates from Area IV for the position. As SEIFC Area IV vice president, Gunn will represent Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia at the SEIFC conference in 2010.

John Creech (2010) was highlighted in the March 9, 2009, edition of ”Sports Illustrated” as part of the Faces in the Crowd section for accomplishing a three-peat in the 200-yard butterfly. Alongside Creech’s photo is a brief bio that documents his record-setting performance at the OAC Championship — an effort that made him the first Wilmington swimmer to win an OAC event three times. Nominated by Kevin Colson, Creech either owns or is part of four school records.