In last month’s e-letter, we sent out a survey to our Zeta Alumni. Now, we’d like to share some of our favorite responses with you! If you want to answer these questions yourself, please CLICK HERE to take the survey. You may see your Zeta memories, photos or reflections published in a future newsletter or e-letter. We’d love to hear from all our Zeta Alumni! Here are your Brothers responses.
Lester Walker Jr. ‘62
“As an alum, what do you see as the most valuable part of your Lambda Chi experience? Of course, the friendships. It’s quite amazing to attend a party where you intimately know everyone. Friday night parties were one of the highlights of my life.
As president (1962) I threatened anyone who wanted to bring back hazing with a letter to National about their activities. We stopped hazing in one year.
I would love to reconnect with John Erickson, Jerry (the Sloth) Miller, Bill (Rhino) Reindel, Hubert MacElhenny, Joe Deminico, and Happy Jack Kleindenst. I don’t know if any of them are still alive.
I’ve written and illustrated 8 books on the subject of my profession (architecture). Two sold over 100,000 copies. I’ve been a college professor of architecture for 20 years after graduation from Yale in 1966. I had a successful practice in Woodstock, NY – now sharing it with my eldest son. (Walker Architecture) Happily married with 2 children and 1 grandchild.”
Mr. Silas Powell ‘67
“Lambda Chi Alpha was an important part of my undergraduate experience at Penn State, over fifty years ago. Donations to Lambda Chi help make it possible for others to have enriched inter-personal experiences as they further their education as undergraduates. I served as president of the PSU chapter for a time.
Fraternities and sororities are important psychological and emotional support groups for undergraduates. Without such groups, an undergraduate could easily see himself (or herself) as one student (an isolated individual) in an ocean of tens of thousands of other students.
The Lambda Chi Alumni Association is the link/life-line between undergraduates and alumni. One of the important functions of the Alumni Association is to listen, to be compassionate, to understand, and to help others as they further their education.
I remained in touch with several Brothers (Earl C. Noelte, Ken Hopkins) over the years. Ken died recently (I’m still in touch with his wife and family, however); Earl now lives in Geneva, Switzerland.
I was awarded a Ph.D. in 1974, taught for 30 years at State University of New York, Brooklyn College, Susquehanna University, Penn State (Scranton). I am the author of 25 published books and hundreds of articles on the Delaware and Hudson Railroad, comparative aesthetics, and local history. I have served as President of the Carbondale (PA) Historical Society and Museum for over 40 years.
Three photos are attached: SRP the teacher (delivering a lecture); SRP (straw boater, bow tie) as President of the Carbondale Historical Society; and SRP as a Penguins fan.”
Kenneth Termini ‘87
“I loved my time as an undergrad at LXA. It helped shape me into the man I am today. Many of my Brothers have become lifetime friends.
At its best, our Alumni provide a dual purpose: mentoring the undergraduate Brothers and providing platforms and events for alumni to maintain and extend their relationships with other alumni. It’s a tough job. It’s a high burnout job. It’s a repetitive job – each generation of brothers tends to need to relearn similar lessons. My biggest advice is just know so many of us are deeply appreciative for what they do. The only other advice I have is to weed out negative sarcastic people from our ranks and social media platforms….not people who offer constructive criticism. I’m talking about weeding out people who mock our ritual and post personal attacks on specific alumni.
I stay in touch with many dozens of brothers. I couldn’t possibly list them all.
I’m retired from the Corporate world and dedicate most of my time and energy to Palmerton HS as their Varsity boys basketball coach. We had a strong regular season and posted the most wins for a Blue Bomber team in nearly 25 years. Tonight we begin defense of our District XI Championship.
From a Toronto AM bolt…I’m guessing it’s 1986. From left to right: Robbie McCay, me, Craig Rubendall, Robb Lubin.”
Michael Gilotti ‘69
“The most valuable part of my Lambda Chi experience is the long term friendships that have endured.
I am in touch with about ten or so brothers.
Just moved to Florida a month ago in Vero Beach. Still maintain my Pa residence as well.”
Michael Shaffer ‘60
“Having been born and raised in State College, I knew that being a “commuting townie’ was not going to provide me with a full college experience. Zeta Zeta provided me with the social and intellectual experiences that I would have otherwise missed. For that opportunity I will be forever grateful. I even look back on such events as Alpha Fire Company, Snug as a bug in a rug, hell week and zero degree with somewhat fond memories. We were just damn lucky in those days that nothing serious happened to a pledge brother. Hopefully much of that kind of hazing is gone or rapidly disappearing. THON is a much better outlet for youthful energies.
Current alum leadership is doing a great job. As alums, we could make better use of internet tools such as social media and online conferencing/video events to reach out more directly and personally to engage alums scattered throughout the country. Photos and newsletter alone are not the best solution to building more alum participation and funding these days.
Fred Egner (Z488) is the only brother I have had regular contact with.
I’ve been retired since the end of 2005. My wife passed away in June 2015 and now I currently spend 6 months each in Hope Sound, FL and Glen Cove, NY where I have lived since 1966. Play a lot of very terrible golf these days.”
Stephen Ahrens ‘84
“The most valuable part of my LCA experience is the ongoing fellowship with my fraternity brothers. The Alumni Assoc. is doing a very good job.
I’m in touch with fellow grads through the Facebook page.
I have 3 kids. My daughter Elizabeth graduated from Tufts in 2017, and now works in Politics on Capitol Hill, 4 yr Varsity Volleyball. My son Ben graduated from Univ. Of Mary Washington in December 2019, Math major, graduated with Honors. He’s now enrolled at George Mason Univ in graduate classes and will begin work at Dahlgren Naval Weapons Station in August. He is a 4 year varsity soccer player, 61 starts, Academic All American. My son Daniel is a Sophomore at Longwood Univ. majoring in Business Admin. He is also a Varsity Soccer player with 25 starts.”
John Riener ‘63
“I have fond memories of Lambda Chi, and I hope it continues to provide others with fond memories to cherish. It gave me life-long friendships. The brothers I am in contact with are too numerous to name, we mainly communicate by email.”