Cross & Crescent

For the brothers of the Lambda-Chi Zeta at Pittsburg State University, located in Pittsburg, Kansas, the events that took place on February 27-28, 2009, will be remembered and cherished for decades to come.

More than 100 alumni brothers, as well as the members of the active chapter and four new associate members, all came together to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the chapter receiving its charter in February 1969. Low temperatures, snow and blustery winds could not keep this hearty band of brothers from enjoying a weekend that was packed with special events.

The chapter traces its roots back to September 1965 when a group of brothers led by Tom Earp, Larry Randolph, and Alan Davis formed a small local fraternity known as Beta Chi. On May 6, 1966, the chapter was colonized, and after meeting the General Fraternity’s stringent membership requirements was awarded, in February 1969, the only charter to be granted that year.

As anticipated, the Pittsburg State chapter received the much coveted Lambda-Chi zeta designation.

Enduring Hard Times

In recent years, the Pittsburg chapter has endured some hard times, with membership at one point down to one active member. However, with recruitment help from the International Headquarters and a new house built by Brother Tom Roche, under the supervision of Brother Paul Chappell, the chapter was able to rise again, and now has a stable membership base that continues to grow.

In addition to brothers Earp and Randolph, many of the original Beta Chi members, including Jerry Malan, Gerald Niedens, Dennis Johnson, Ron Peterson, Dan Hauser, and Robert Estes, were in attendance for the historic weekend that kicked off Friday evening with an informal event at the Lamplighter Inn in Pittsburg, Kansas.

This was an opportunity for brothers – some who hadn’t seen each other in more than 35 years – to get together in a casual setting to get reacquainted and relive old memories, as well as meet brothers from across the 40-year spectrum of the chapter’s history.

As brothers from multiple generations mixed and mingled, more than one alumni brother was heard to comment on the high quality of men currently involved with the active chapter.

Saturday morning began with an Associate Member Ceremony welcoming the chapter’s four newest associate members. This was followed by a stirring ceremony conducted by the chapter’s Fraternity Educator Mitch Bringle at Pittsburg State Veterans Memorial, in which the military service of the chapter’s many veterans was honored.

After braving the elements at the outdoor memorial, the assembled brothers returned to the chapter house for a barbecue provided by the members of the active chapter. For many alumni, this was their first opportunity to see the chapter’s new house, undoubtedly one of the finest from among Pittsburg State’s Greek community. Again, stories were shared and new friendships were begun.

The highlight of the weekend’s events was the formal banquet, again held at the Lamplighter Inn later that evening. Brother Tom Pavey served as the master of ceremonies for the assembled group, which represented the largest gathering of chapter members in one place in the history of the chapter.

Awards for both active and alumni members were presented by the chapter’s President Tyler Newsome, with special acknowledgement given to brothers Ken Smart and Paul Chappell for lifetime achievement. The chapter also applauded Smart for his role in coordinating the events of the historic weekend that culminated in Saturday night’s banquet.

Spasyk Delivers Keynote

The guest speaker was Lambda Chi Alpha’s own Executive Vice President Emeritus George Spasyk (Michigan 1949). An icon both within our Fraternity and throughout the entire inter-fraternity community, Brother Spasyk demonstrated the skill developed throughout his many years of public speaking by providing an address to the assembled members, spouses and guests that was not only inspirational, but highly entertaining as well. Throughout the remainder of the evening, Spasyk was sought out by many brothers both young and old for photo opportunities.

As brothers headed home on Sunday morning, it was evident to all who had attended that the bond of brotherhood that is membership in Lambda Chi Alpha remains strong and vibrant. Despite the disparity in age, brothers from all the generations of the chapter were united in their love for Lambda Chi Alpha and all that it represents.

While the weekend may have been a celebration of the past, clearly the future bodes well for the brothers of Lambda-Chi Zeta at Pittsburg State.