For Lance Gustin (Vincennes, ‘92) and Jeff Willoughby (Butler, ‘84), Brotherhood didn’t end after graduation. It’s a connection that has grown stronger throughout life. So much so, when the two met at an Indiana Elks Association event, a single tattoo sparked a conversation neither of them expected.
“He noticed a tattoo on my arm and asked what it was. And I said, ‘It’s the Cross & Crescent.’ And he goes, ‘You’re a Lambda Chi?’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ You know, it just made it an even stronger bond knowing one of my Elk Brothers was also a Lambda Chi Brother,” Gustin described.
For those unfamiliar, the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is a fraternal organization rooted in service, charity, and community involvement. Its members support causes ranging from veterans' programs to scholarships, youth initiatives, and medical research. While it’s not a fraternity in the traditional college sense, it carries a similar spirit of brotherhood and purpose that Lambda Chi Alpha instills in its Members.
For Willoughby and Gustin, joining the Elks wasn’t about leaving the fraternity experience behind. It was about carrying those same values forward, continuing to lead, serve, and build meaningful connections throughout life. Brotherhood doesn’t end after graduation, sometimes it simply takes on a different name and continues in a new way.
Now, that shared journey has reached a new milestone. This June, Willoughby will become the State President of the Indiana Elks Association, and Gustin will serve as the Fourth State Vice President. Both credit their Lambda Chi Alpha experience for preparing them to lead one of the state’s largest and most impactful fraternal organizations. Their sense of brotherhood carried naturally into their work with the Elks, overseeing charitable programs ranging from scholarships to veterans’ support.
One of Willoughby’s major focuses has been a charitable initiative for Rock Steady Boxing, a program that brings hope and fight to those living with Parkinson’s. In gyms worldwide, this program uses the discipline and mechanics of boxing to target key Parkinson’s symptoms like balance issues, stiffness, tremors, and coordination challenges. Certified trainers lead a demanding yet empowering class that helps participants regain strength, confidence, and control. Willoughby’s original goal was $9,000, but he has already doubled that amount with months left to go, now reaching $20,250 to date for this incredible program.
When asked how Lambda Chi Alpha influenced their journey, both men pointed to the same lessons: leading with integrity, serving others, and building a bond that last forever.
“Having that close bond in Lambda Chi, the support from my Brothers, it prepared me to step into leadership roles within the Elks (and professional career),” Gustin commented. “It taught me how to work with people, fundraise, and bring ideas to life.”
Willoughby agreed, noting that the friendships and values built in the Fraternity never fade.
“The bond you form stays with you,” he said. “Whether it’s in Lambda Chi or the Elks, it’s about surrounding yourself with people who want to make a difference.”
For both men, the journey from Brothers to fraternal leaders wasn’t just a coincidence but a continuation. The same ideals that drew them to Lambda Chi Alpha decades ago now drive those values across Indiana and the Elks, proving that Brotherhood knows no bounds and certainly stands the test of time.
