Brothers Darren Hafford, Michael “Fuzz” Martin, Derek Blaszak, Peter Reynolds, Chris Zimbrick, Andy LaSusa, Kirby Fitch, Mingo Nicks, Anthony Nigbur are now Lambda Chi Alpha Alumni. (Although Darren and Fuzz had been Alumni for a few years).

Also, Brother Andrew Ullrich is being awarded his degree by the University in a ceremony separate from that of all other graduates. His parents will be accepting the diploma on his behalf. It will be held on Sunday, May 18, 2008 from 11:00am - 2:00pm in the Old Main Ballroom at the UC. Everyone is invited, light refreshments will be served.

Here are the specifics on the graduates:

Darren Hafford is graduating from UW-Whitewater after beginning his long-strange-trip through college in 1994. It’s a sordid tale…it’s best he tell it to you. Everyone is invited to his graduation party. More details can be found at: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=42311295547&ref=nf

Michael “Fuzz” Martin is graduating from UW-Milwaukee. He began his Undergrad in Whitewater circa 1999 and went back to finish up a few years ago. Everyone is invited to his graduation party at Greenfield Park in West Allis on Sunday, May 25. More details can be found at: http://www.evite.com/app/publicUrl/ZLLJAKPKSLAUDMFAJDCY/fuzzgradparty

…if any of our newest Alumni Members want to let us know what degrees they attained/where they will be working, I will post it right away (or you can just comment on this posting).

Many thanks to Brother Paul Korth for sending us this 1962 Delta Kappa composite.

Click on the image to view/download the full-size composite.

Brothers, we are experiencing a very exciting time in our Chapter’s history. Lambda Chi Alpha is returning to Whitewater’s campus because of the reputation that all of us have helped build throughout it tenure. I ask all of you as Alumni Members to help continue this tradition, to assist in passing the tradition of Lambda Chi Alpha on to our new Associate Members in the coming year. When I envision our Fraternity back on campus, I see a Chapter not just of Active Members, but of Alumni Brothers as well.

I want to thank every Alumni Member who has stuck it out during the last three years and put in all of the work so that each of us have a Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter to visit and enjoy. I also want to thank Paula Mohan for all the hard work that she has put forth on our behalf. To see the passion that she has for our Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha continues to be an inspiration.

I would like to take this opportunity to discuss something that I believe is essential to the success of our Chapter’s future. When I took Tom Boelk’s place at the Lambda Chi Alpha Leadership Seminar in January, I learned a lot about how the Lambda Chi Chapters are set up and designed to operate. Presenters said that the Chapters are the Active Members Chapters. I find a major flaw in that type of thinking. I envision Lambda-Iota Zeta as a Brother’s Chapter. Where Active Members serve for the good of the local functioning, and where Alumni are also actively involved. I realize that the Actives are in charge of everyday Chapter operations, but there is no reason for them to be in it all alone. If we are truly to be the best Fraternity and Chapter not only on Whitewaters campus but in the nation, we need everyone’s involvement. I challenge each of you to be the best Brother you can possibly be.

My promise to each of you is that we will be a united Chapter of both Active and Alumnus Members. Whether it is helping out at charity events, taking part in the Alumni Mentor Program, serving on the Alumni Association Board or Housing Corporation, I pledge to you that there will be many opportunities for each of us to make an impact with our new Chapter. This is your chance to make a difference, and I truly look forward to leading our united Chapter this fall. Now is our chance to take the good and leave the bad, and reaffirm our commitment to the best organization in the world and the best Chapter in the Nation!

From 1995 until 1999…I earned my Bachelor of Business Administration with a Major in MCS (Management Computer Systems).

And what are you doing now, professionally?

I’m going for my JDMBA at the Business Law School at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities.

I would guess that keeps you pretty busy…when you have some free time, what do you do for fun?

Mostly study. But in the moments between school related stuff, I enjoy going out to dinner with friends and my girlfriend…just hanging out.

Do you have any accomplishments that you would like to share with all of the people reading this interview?

I am on the Dean’s List as a Law Student, and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Whitewater and will as well from UMN. I have visited over 60 countries in my travels.

Any big surprises in your life that people would find interesting?

I’ve been called up by my National Guard Unit to serve in Iraq for a tour beginning this summer. After I return from active duty, I’ll graduate from UMN Law School.

Going overseas will surely throw a wrench in your plans for graduation…will you be in Infantry, as you were when you were at UW-Whitewater?

No Infantry, I’ll be doing Para-legal work on an Air Force Base just a few miles north of Baghdad.

Where did you attend High School and when did you graduate?

I graduated from Vincent High School in Milwaukee…in 1992.

How and when did you get involved with Lambda Chi Alpha?

I was introduced by Sherif El Sayid, who joined at the same time I did. I knew Sherif from High School and decided to check out Lambda Chi with him in the Fall of 1996.

Tell us, what office you held as an Active member in Lambda Chi and why you decided to run for that office.

I was High Sigma (Scholastics Chairman). I considered myself a good student and I wanted to help others achieve their highest potential in the area of academics.

Is there anyone you have lost touch with over the years that you would like to catch up with?

Generally, I would like to talk with anyone who lives in the greater Minneapolis-area and the guys who were in Lambda Chi when we both were.

Are there any of the guys you still keep in touch with?

Yeah, I talk with Mike Terpstra, Sherif El Sayid, you (Jeff Reisdorfer), and Pat Sykes. Mostly, we email or call one another.

What are your best memories of your time in Lambda Chi?

Hanging out and talking with all of the guys…and playing video games (even though it is counter-productive to the life of a good student).

What is the one Fraternity related event that made you say “Wow, I never thought I would be doing this when I joined a Fraternity”?

It would have to be Philanthropic works. Everyone has thinks that Fraternities are all about partying…but they don’t realize the good works and community involvement they take part in. Raking leaves for the people who lived in the neighborhood of the Lambda Chi Alpha House was great. I still remember that.

Can you still recite the Greek Alphabet?

Probably not… …nope.

Who, would you say, had the biggest impact on your Fraternal experience? Why?

Bryan (6′5″) Phillips, Vito Virgillio, Mike Easton, Brandon Eggert…and generally the Junior and Senior guys.

Did you have a nickname?

Yes, Mumbles.

Who was your Big Brother?

Pat Sykes.

What do you think about the Chapter being brought back to Whitewater this fall (2008)?

I am really excited about it, I hope it brings a great change to Whitewater, Lambda Chi Alpha and the Greek System. It’s a great opportunity to have friends that encourage good grades and good council early on in your collegiate career.

Anyone you want to give a shout out to?

I would like to say hey to all of the Fall of 96 guys…and would like to find out what they all are up to.

Any advice for future Lambda Chi Brothers?

Have a good time — but graduate with a degree you can use…get your work done.

Brother Roberts sent an email to Brother Red Moeller to let everyone know that he is enjoying himself and included this photo of himself dangling his feet over a cliff in the Andes while enjoying a bottle of wine.

This year, we will have the Undergraduate Colony to work with on the Food Drive. Last year all of you helped the Alumni Association raise $1150 for the Whitewater Food Pantry, equaling 8,050 pounds of food! That’s pretty awesome for a bunch of guys donating from the comfort of their computer desks!

We are actively seeking volunteers to help brainstorm ideas for area sponsors and other fund raising ideas to help Lambda-Iota’s contribution to the Whitewater Food Pantry pass 10,000 lbs of food. We have some great tools set in place to facilitate these efforts, now we just need YOU to volunteer for some online brainstorming.

Will you help our Brothers with our most important philanthropic event?

If so, please leave a comment on this thread and I will get in touch with you, or contact me (Jeff) via the CONTACT US page.

Lambda-Iota is noted in the article Expansion Plan Update, focusing on Lambda Chi Alpha’s expansion plans for the coming years. (See our info listed in the box on the right).

In the Chapter News Section, Brother Nick Schreck and I are highlighted. Nick, for his winning of the 2008 Assistant Division Manager Award from Physicians Mutual; and I am mentioned for my trip to Oklahoma City where I traveled on business and was able to visit the Lambda Chi Chapter at Oklahoma City University.

If you have accomplishments or happenings in your life you would like listed in the Cross & Crescent and/or on our website, please visit the Contact Us page and let us know what you are up to!

Lambda Chi Alpha is a cooperative. We produce a way of life, for ourselves and for those whose lives we touch. Yet, we must never lose sight of the fact that despite our “product” being different, we operate like other organizations. That means budgets, committees, squabbles, and hopefully, successes.

The danger of a cooperative is that they are human organizations and human organizations are subject to human frailties and there are always going to be people in cooperatives who will want to be the “co” part while they let others do the “operating.” Another danger in the cooperative is that its members, when they become successful, are apt to forget the original purposes for which they were organized.

-Murray Lincoln (Massachusetts)

I, as a designer, am excited for the new site, as the current one has been in use since I was an undergrad and appears a little dated. Best of luck to the HQ development team with their efforts!

From NBC.com
Will Forte is in his sixth season on “Saturday Night Live.”

Forte has appeared in many memorable sketches, most recently taking on the role of President George W. Bush. This past season, Forte showcased his singing talents as an unhinged “Fly High Duluth” band leader with a penchant for chugging Jack Daniels. He’s created lasting characters in “The Falconer” - the once-successful executive who’s mysteriously chosen to live in the woods with his faithful falcon, Donald - and the (very) soft-spoken politician, Tim Calhoun. Forte is also a regular on the show’s recurring “Hardball” sketch as the ranting, vein-popping former Senator Zell Miller.

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