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50 Years of Greek Life – Alumni of Distinction
Celebrating 50 Years of Greek Life at Bloomsburg University
When Ken Walsh was dropped off in Bloomsburg the day after his high school graduation in June 1981, he had no idea that the friendships he forged and the Greek organization he joined would still be relevant in his life almost 35 years later. On that hot June day, he was more worried about making friends and being homesick than he was about making strong relationships and learning life skills.
Ken quickly made friends among his fellow “probies” and became familiar with the Bloomsburg campus and its offerings. Many of his friends decided to investigate Greek Life and Ken went along with them. He learned about the fellowship and community service opportunities afforded by fraternities and he wanted to be a part of it. He joined Lambda Chi Alpha in the Spring of 1982 . As an active brother, Ken wasted no time in getting involved in managing the fraternity. He was elected High Kappa and became involved in educating new fraternity members. He also served on the chapter fundraising committee and participated in various community service activities including numerous food drives. He credits his time as an active brother with teaching him how to create a budget, manage finances and run a business meeting. He learned how to work as part of a team and to collaborate with different personalities. All these skills would come in handy later in his life.
When Ken left Bloomsburg, he entered the NYPD Police Academy where he trained for six months. His first assignment was the busiest precinct in the world – Times Square in Midtown Manhattan. His very first night out was a rainy Friday. As he walked his beat that night, he thought about his brothers socializing at the fraternity house as they did on Fridays and wondered what in the world he was doing.
Any doubts Ken had about his career choice quickly passed as he was first promoted to a motorcycle officer, where he escorted both President George H. W. Bush and Bill Clinton, and then he advanced to the NYPD Intelligence Division as a detective. His work in Intelligence involved everything from working undercover to breaking up drug and organized crime rings to escorting dignitaries from all over the world who were visiting New York City. He was then promoted to the Mayoral Security Detail where he was a bodyguard for Mayor Rudolph Guiliani and his family. During his tenure with the mayor, he met Hollywood celebrities, Broadway stars, professional athletes and renowned politicians. Ken provided personal security for Jimmy Stewart, Carol Burnett, several Yankees World Series teams, General Norman Schwarzkopf, and the New York Rangers.
Ken attributes much of his success in law enforcement to his formative years spent as a Lambda Chi Alpha brother. His fraternity experiences gave him practical management skills and an understanding of the concept of brotherhood: which is paramount within the NYPD.
Ken retired from the NYPD in 2004. He moved back to Pennsylvania and quickly reconnected with many of his LCA brothers. In 2014, Ken was inspired by his continued adult Greek friendships and became involved in supporting Greek Life at Bloomsburg University. Ken was instrumental in getting Lambda Chi Alpha re-colonized on the Bloomsburg campus. Ken currently serves on the Greek Alumni Advisory Board and also remains involved in fundraising for Lambda Chi Alpha.
This is one in a series of stories about Greek Alumni of Distinction in celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Greek Life at Bloomsburg University in 2016. Each month, a member of a fraternity and a sorority will be featured. A 50th reunion celebration is planned for Homecoming on Oct. 15, 2016.
(Via BU Alumni Association)[/vc_column_text][vc_text_separator title=”C&C” color=”black”][/vc_column][/vc_row]
