The following are the submissions received from April 2019.
To submit Chapter News and Omegas, please email communications@lambdachi.org. Undergraduate officers can also report updates on their chapter by logging on to LCAOne/Officer Portal and accessing the “Submit Chapter News” form. If you cannot find news from your chapter, then no information has been submitted for this month.
Akron (Gamma-Alpha)
On March 23, chapter members held a centennial celebration recognizing the chapter’s 100-year founding on March 22. The event included a banquet at the John S Knight Center, where around 300 alumni in attendance. The event also included guest speakers, an awards banquet, and a dance.
Arizona (Zeta-Beta)
Jack Saelid (1957) died July 21, 2018.
Arizona State (Zeta-Psi)
Franklin Billingsley (1951) died July 10, 2016.
Arkansas (Gamma-Chi)
William L. Blair (1951) died March 26, 2019. A World War II veteran, he served as chapter president and IFC president and graduated from the University of Arkansas Law School in Fayetteville. He practiced law in Springdale where he also served as city attorney. He moved to Little Rock, practiced law and retired from Worthen Bank and Trust Co. after 32 years as senior trust officer and vice-president.
Glen E. Erickson (1962) died May 30, 2017.
Auburn (Omega)
James R. Hicks Jr. (1951) died March 31, 2019. He began his career with Arthur Anderson & Co., then became a financial officer of companies including Mead Corp, Jim Walter Corp, and Rollins, Inc. Upon retirement, he remained active, spending endless hours volunteering at Dekalb Medical Center, teaching with the AARP Safe Driving Program and leading Bible studies.
Howard Upchurch (1963) died March 15, 2019.
Buffalo (Colony)
Coinciding with Sexual Assault Awareness Month, colony members hosted an informational tabling event on April 11 in the Student Union asking fellow students to take the It’s on Us pledge against sexual violence. Pamela Stephens-Jackson, the head of Greek life at Buffalo, says, “As the advisor for Greek-letter social organizations on campus, I am both pleased and proud to hear that Lambda Chi Alpha is hosting an event in support of the It’s On Us campaign and sexual assault awareness. It is refreshing to see them take the lead, as a male organization. Colony alumni advisor Dick Hubbard goes on to say, “I find the commitment of the men to be energizing. With each of them having taken the pledge themselves, we have seen an opportunity for leadership and experienced personal courage through their upfront promise to keep sexual awareness in the forefront of their daily lives.”
California – San Diego (Pi-Beta)
The chapter added 19 associate members during Spring recruitment.
California – Los Angeles (Epsilon-Sigma)
Chapter members partnered with sisters from Kappa Alpha Theta to help pack and organize more than 9,000 pounds of food for the Los Angeles Food Bank. Ten chapter members became CPR certified through the American Heart Association. The chapter’s annual Alumni Golf Tournament is May 11, 2019. The chapter’s new Alumni Network Group is up on Facebook. Email contact@bruinslca.com for more information. The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for nine associate members. Congratulations to brothers Max McNally and Scott Manis for receiving the A. Barry Cappello Scholarship and thank you to this alumni brother for his continued generosity and support of today’s students and UCLA.
California State – Fresno (Iota-Gamma)
Dave Leathers (California State – Fresno) was re-appointed as High Pi to the Alpha-Lambda chapter at Oregon State University.
Cincinnati (Gamma-Gamma)
George E. Blackburn (1935) died May 15, 2006.
Dennis Purcell died (1977) April 6, 2019. He moved to Florida in the mid 1970’s and pursued restaurant management. He remained in the restaurant business throughout his career. He managed several locations throughout Florida, as well as brief periods in Oklahoma and Illinois. Establishments include Duff’s Buffet, Whistle Junction, Denny’s, and most recently Ponderosa Steakhouse in Kissimmee, FL.
Culver-Stockton (Kappa-Mu)
Roy L. Bryant (1958) died Jan. 25, 2019.
Drexel (Epsilon-Kappa)
David L. Snyderwine Sr. (1955) died Feb. 14, 2018.
Eastern Michigan (Sigma-Kappa)
Andrew Brauer (Eastern Michigan) is the newly-appointed High Pi for Epsilon-Pi chapter at the University of Maryland – College Park. He lives in Laurel, Maryland and works as a principal/educator for a local school district. During his time as an undergraduate member, he was High Alpha, High Beta, High Delta, and High Epsilon.
East Tennessee State (Iota-Omicron)
Wray T. Williams (1960) died April 12, 2019. He served in the Navy from 1959 to 1965 and was in active duty for two years during the Vietnam War onboard the USS Duxbury Bay and then served in the Naval Reserve in Kingsport, Tennessee. During his professional career, he managed IT departments at numerous companies including the Tennessee Eastman Co., the Kingsport Press, Rand McNally and the KY Department of Transportation.
Edinboro (Beta-Delta)
Paul J. Lisowski (1972) died April 6, 2019. Before retiring, he was a professor at Edinboro University, where he taught business and accounting for 38 years. He was also an advisor of the Business and Accounting Club and Beta-Delta chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity.
Evansville (Iota-Mu)
Garry M. Bledsoe (1962) died April 14, 2019. He was a former International Headquarters staff member.
Florida Southern (Epsilon-Xi)
David Del Col (Florida Southern) is the newly- appointed High Pi for the Theta-Upsilon chapter at New York University. He lives in Secaucus, New Jersey and is a recruitment consultant for a leading professional recruitment consultancies in New York City. During his time as an undergraduate member, he served as a member of the Executive Committee, High Rho, High Epsilon, High Tau, and on Student Advisory Committee.
Ben Merryday (Florida Southern) is the newly-appointed High Pi for Florida Southern. He lives in Lakeland, Florida and is a financial manager for a large distribution company. During his time as an undergraduate member, he served as High Epsilon and IFC VP – Finance.
Georgetown (Kappa-Omega)
John W. Schilling (1967) died March 30, 2019. A chapter president, he started Thoroughbred Limited and worked as an equine bloodstock and insurance agent until his death.
James L. Upchurch III (1972) died March 22, 2019. He was a U.S. Navy, Vietnam-era veteran. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and retired from the Commonwealth of Kentucky as building superintendent of CHR.
Georgia Tech (Nu)
Linton G. Lanier Jr. (1949) died April 4, 2019. A World War II veteran, he began his career as quality control manager at Hunt-Wesson Foods where he worked until his retirement. He volunteered at Candler Hospital and Savannah Speech and Hearing Center, and in the early 1990s, he began a second career at Heritage Organic Farm where he served as purchasing agent and comptroller. During his years with the farm, he experimented with and developed feed for hens to lower cholesterol in eggs.
Illinois (Chi)
The chapter collected more than $4,000 in donations and 350 pounds of food for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank. The chapter held and Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight associate members. With these additions, the Chi chapter has initiated 2,243 members since our founding in 1915.
Robert C. Eberhart (1955) died June 27, 2016.
Indiana (Alpha-Omicron)
George Kraft (1980) died April 21, 2019. He began his career at the old New Albany Plumbing Supply in New Albany. He then joined the family business, Kraft Funeral Service, to manage the newly-acquired Kraft-Graceland Memorial Park where he excelled and proved his acute management skills. Some years after Kraft Funeral Service joined with Dignity Memorial, he was asked to manage the operations of the much larger Resthaven Memorial Park in Louisville. Years later, he took the opportunity to join NorthStar Memorial Group where he grew into the position of vice president of operations.
James F. Pickett (1960) died March 15, 2019.
Iowa State (Alpha-Tau)
Chapter advisor Mike Andreski (Iowa) and Chef/House Director Connie Maxwell will be stepping down next fall. Andreski served for 10 years and Maxwell for eight. Maxwell’s son, Alex, was a former chapter president. Andreski’s son, Mike, was also initiated into the Iota-Chi chapter at Iowa.
Iowa Wesleyan (Theta-Iota)
Dr. Max L. Smith (1948) died April 2, 2019. He enlisted in the Air Force in April 1943, serving in North Africa, Casablanca, France and Morocco as an Upper Air Weather Observer. He later transferred into the USAF Medical Service Corp as an Optometrist serving in the active Reserves for 22 years. He was honorably discharged as a major. He then earned is Doctor of Optometry Degree from the Illinois College of Optometry and opened his practice in Washington in the fall of 1950. He filled several offices and was State President of the Iowa Optometric Association in 1961. He received the “State Optometrist of the Year” award in 1974. Max established the Washington Eye Care Center and served as Secretary of the Mid America Contact Lens Society.
Kansas State (Gamma-Xi)
Eugene Motter (1949) died March 28, 2019.
Kentucky (Epsilon-Phi)
David W. Lynd (1957) died June 28, 2016.
Lycoming (Iota-Beta)
Justin Ossont (Lycoming) is the newly-appointed High Pi for Lycoming. He lives in Williamsport, Pennsylvania and is the assistant director of admissions for Lycoming College. During his time as an undergraduate member, he held the office of House Manager.
Marshall (Zeta-Zeta)
Chapter brothers of Zeta-Zeta volunteered for Earth Day picking up trash along the floodwall at Harris Riverfront Park.
Maryland-College Park (Epsilon-Pi)
Andrew Brauer (Eastern Michigan) is the newly-appointed High Pi for Epsilon-Pi chapter at the University of Maryland – College Park. He resides in Laurel, Maryland and works as a principal/educator for a local school district. During his time as an undergrad, he was High Alpha, High Beta, High Delta, and High Epsilon.
Miami-FL (Epsilon-Omega)
Solon J. Ellmaker (1947) died Aug. 8, 2017.
Michigan State (Gamma-Omicron)
Raleigh S. Retner (1950) died.
Missouri Science & Technology (Alpha-Delta)
The chapter held a watermelon bash, raising money for Feeding America. Chapter members would like to thank chapter Vice President Tyler Fank for organizing the event.
Montana State (Epsilon-Delta)
Charles L. Beers (1953) died March 14, 2019. He began his flying career in the Air Force graduating with Pilot Training Class 55-E at Vance AFB, Enid, OK, traveling the world, moving to many different locations, and specializing in aerial re-fueling operations. After retirement from the military, Captain Beers flew 27 years for World Airways. Remarkably, while in the USAF and with World Airways, he flew 284 successful missions over South Vietnam and South East Asia. He was recognized and awarded by the USAF for these missions and was referred to as being “a fighting man and a professional.”
Nebraska – Lincoln (Gamma-Beta)
Jeffrey W. Waller (1992) died March 30, 2019.
Nebraska – Omaha (Iota-Delta)
The chapter participated in several events with other organizations like volunteering for the Sarpy YMCA as the Easter Bunny, the university’s Dance Marathon fundraiser, Alpha Xi Delta’s Autism Speaks Step It Up 5k, and had a bowling exchange with Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. The chapter also had a fraternity education presentation from alumni advisory board member David Castillo about ritualism, oaths, creed, and the coat of arms.
Nevada – Las Vegas (Delta-Lambda)
Wyatt Villegas (Nevada – Las Vegas) is the newly-appointed High Pi for Nevada – Las Vegas. Wyatt resides in Las Vegas and works as site IT administrator of a local school district. During his time as an undergraduate member, he was High Gamma, Executive Committee member, IFC Elected Judicial Board Member, and chapter historian (before and during time as High Gamma).
New York (Theta-Upsilon)
David Del Col (Florida Southern) is the newly- appointed High Pi for the Theta-Upsilon chapter at New York University. He lives in Secaucus, New Jersey and is a recruitment consultant for a leading professional recruitment consultancies in New York City. During his time as an undergraduate member, he served as a member of the Executive Committee, High Rho, High Epsilon, High Tau, and on Student Advisory Committee.
The chapter earned third place in Greek Week (first in Academic Bowl, first in Social Media, first in Penny Wars, second in Banner). Brother Portilla and Brother Modric volunteered at the Mandala Cafe. The chapter hosted its annual Founders Day at the Park Plaza Restaurant.
Northern Arizona (Colony)
The colony is now recognized as an on-campus organization and is working hard toward meeting the chartering standards.
Northern Illinois (Phi-Omicron)
Jeffrey B. Olson (1988) died March 24, 2019. He had a passion for flying and made a career as an airline pilot working for Delta Airlines.
Oregon State (Alpha-Lambda)
Dave Leathers (California State – Fresno) was re-appointed as High Pi to the Alpha-Lambda chapter at Oregon State University.
Rensselaer Polytechnic
On April 13, 2019, the chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for eight associate members: Brandon Chasse, Nicholas Cornacchiulo, James Dangio, Saketh Dargula, Sean Greatorex, Michael Holobetz, Nicholas Holzhauer, and Toluwaleke Semowo.
Richmond (Alpha-Chi)
The chapter held an Initiation Ritual Exemplification for their associate members. Chapter members participated in Pi Beta Phi’s philanthropy event, raising funds for child literacy training.
Rose-Hulman (Theta-Kappa)
Joshua A. Trueblood (1994) died April 18, 2019. He was a firefighter for the city of Seymour, Indiana for 19 years.
South Dakota Mines (Pi-Mu)
The chapter held a high “Steaks” poker recruitment night in which they played poker with monopoly money and ate steaks. On March 14, chapter members held a fundraiser for Feeding America and collected 430 pounds of food.
St. Mary’s (Sigma-Beta)
This summer Alain Peralt will join Corpus Christi FC in the USL League 2 in American Soccer. This is a semi-professional league played over the summer where the best up-and-coming collegiate soccer players in the country compete against each other to improve their skills without losing their NCAA eligibility. He will be one of three St. Mary’s University players playing for Corpus Christi FC.
Tennessee – Chattanooga (Zeta-Phi)
Udo O. Schroff (1966) died April 22, 2019. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam where he earned the rank of captain, demonstrating a remarkable sense of calm during intense combat situations. He was an instructor at Fort Bragg before leaving the military in 1969. After leaving the Army, he began a career with Pfizer, and eventually he worked for Miller Brewing Company and 7-Up as a member of the executive team. He would join his cousin, Gunther Schroff, in the U.S. launch of the German based Schroff Inc., a global manufacturer of industrial enclosures. This U.S. plant would become the largest in the Schroff GmbH corporation. This required relocating the family to Rhode Island.
Tennessee – Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron)
Robert M. Stiver Jr. (1967) died March 31, 2019. During his 50-year legal career he served as the president of Oak Ridge Bar Association, was a member of The Hamilton Burnett American Inn of Court, and the State Bar Archives Committee, and numerous other professional organizations. He also served as a football official in high school and college. In addition to his busy legal career, he spent countless hours volunteering in his community. He served on the board of Habitat for Humanity, and ran building crews almost every Saturdays for 15 years. He served on the board of the Urban League, and delivered mobile meals as long as he was able. He was an Eagle Scout and supported the Boy Scouts of America.
Texas (Alpha-Mu)
John H. Marshall (1962) died April 3, 2019. He joined the Army Reserves in 1964 and was honorably discharged in 1970. After college, he went to work for Household International. During this 13 years with Household, he worked in leadership management position in one of their subsidiaries, Household Finance Corp. He took a position with the Installment Lending Department of Liberty BAnk and worked there for 20 years advancing to manager of the Indirect Financing Center and then to director of the Liberty Credit Underwriting Center. After retiring in 1997 as a vice president, took a comparable management position with MidFirst Bank for three years, retired, and then worked for two years as the first full-time executive director of the Midtown Redevelopment Corp.
Washington (Alpha-Psi)
Glenn R. Perry (1950) died March 30, 2019. He served on the House Corporation Board and as an assistant advisor. He never missed a Founders’ Day until this year. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II and was seriously wounded in the battle of Okinawa in April 1945. He recovered from his wounds in Hawaii, but retained for the rest of his life some small pieces of shrapnel that could not be safely extracted. His engineering career included eight years with Industrial Engineers and Contractors and 31 years at Weyerhaeuser, specializing in the design and construction of plywood mills. He made many lifelong friends at work, who after retirement met for weekly lunches at the Poodle Dog and Johnny’s Dock.
Washington State (Tau)
Robert L. Campbell (1952) died March 14, 2019. He enrolled in the ROTC program while attending WSU and joined the Air Force after earning his degree in English. He was a proud veteran all of his life. The Air Force took him overseas to Europe where he met and married Grace Joyce Jones in Liverpool, England on Nov. 19, 1955. They traveled back across the Atlantic Ocean to begin their life together in Montana. He sold commercial insurance during his entire career, and his amazing people skills allowed Bob to flourish in his profession.
William Jewell (Epsilon-Nu)
Edward L. Lundgren (1952) died April 18, 2019.
Wisconsin – Whitewater (Lambda-Iota)
Gary A. Breuchel (1973) died April 9, 2019. He worked as a custodian for the Stoughton School District, most recently at Sand Hill Elementary School. He was also the proud owner of Wisconsin Monument for the past 30 years.
Wright State (Colony)
The chapter won the IFC Chapter of the Year award, earned Tier 5 status, and was a runner-up for organization of the year.
