A Home in Theta Chi

SPRING 2008 A Home in Theta Chi Photos contributed by Village Photographers, Auburn, AL Table of Contents To Our Readers: We would like to apologize for the typographical errors you may have noticed in the text of the Fall 2007 issue of The Rattle. VOLUME 88, NUMBER 1 SPRING 2008 The magazine goes through a minimum of three proofreadings so that such errors can be eliminated prior to publishing. Last time, unfortunately, after the third and final draft was approved and released to be printed, portions of an earlier draft (with errors) were uploaded to the printer by mistake. Sadly, the problem was not caught The Rattle, The Alumnus Publication of the Foundation until full production of The Rattle had been completed. Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc., is published in May Our magazine has been produced using the same production vendors and review and November. It is provided to undergraduate members processes for, at least, the last 10 years, and this is the first time an error of this mag- of Theta Chi chapters, colonies, and interest groups; nitude has occurred. Throughout this time, our vendors have worked diligently to alumnus brothers for three years after graduation; anyone help us produce the best magazine possible for our Fraternity. You may be certain who has provided a financial contribution to the Grand that we have analyzed the process and taken all possible steps to insure that such Chapter from 1966–86 and/or to the Foundation Chapter problems never occur again. since 1986, and to administrators of numerous colleges, Maury Boyd & Associates and I appreciate your understanding in this matter and universities, and Greek organizations. Cathie Morgan hope all those whose names were misspelled and who were offended by the typo- serves as Editor. Jody Toth serves as Art Director. Maury Boyd & Associates of Indianapolis, Indiana, develops and graphical errors they saw in the last issue will accept our deepest apologies. produces the magazine. Quebecor World Midland of Sincerely, Midland, Michigan, handles the printing and mailing pro- Cathie Morgan duction. Send all materials for publication and all address Director of Foundation Services changes to Editor, The Rattle at the address listed below. Editor of The Rattle Deadlines for submissions: Spring issue . January 15 Fall issue . July 11 The International Headquarters staff and Foundation Office are both located at 3330 Founders Rd., Indianapolis, IN 46268-1333. The Headquarters number is 317-824-1881. The Foundation Office number is 317-824-1902. In this issue, The Rattle takes a look at building—building brothers and the buildings that they call home. Above left is the Beta Upsilon Chapter house at Fresno. Right is the Tau house at Florida. See more Theta Chi homes starting on page 10. The fax number for both the Headquarters and Foundation Office is 317-824-1908. The email address for the Headquarters staff is From the National President by Mike Maloney . 3 [email protected] and for the Foundation office is What Makes a House by Patrick O’Connor . 4 [email protected] The House That Golf Built by Joseph Couch . 6 The Fraternity’s Home Page is http://www.thetachi.org/ Zeta Pi Goes Houseless by Carlton Bennett . 8 Life in the Alpha House by Dan Fleetham, Jr. 9 From the Foundation Chapter President by Warren Hoffman . 10 Member of the National Interfraternity 2007 Donor List . 11–27 Conference Top Donor Listing . 12 Foundation Financial Statement . 19 Member of the College Fraternity Editors Undergraduate Donor List . 23 Association In The Life . 28 Larry Himmel Reporting Live by Kyle Weaver. 33 Theta Chi at USC to LEED the Way by Thom Cook . 34 Going Green. 36 Green Design Ideas. 37 Joe Wachs Moves On by Kyle Weaver . 38 From the Executive Director by Dale Taylor. 39 2 THE RATTLE/ SPRING 2008 From the National President Build on a Foundation of Alumni Support By Michael P. Maloney, National President (Delta Upsilon/Arizona State ’87) his summer, my eight years of service on the Grand Chapter comes to an end. As I reflect on my total of T 15 years of volunteering for Theta Chi, I am thankful for the many friendships I have gained. It has been a privilege to serve with and get to know many outstanding brothers. Working with passionate people on a common task creates wonderful friendships—my Theta Chi experience proves this. Along with the normal work of the Grand Chapter, I am amazed at how much life I have witnessed as a Theta Chi volunteer. Just since my election to the Grand Chapter in 2000, my fellow board members and I have shared in each other’s weddings, retirements, divorces, births of children and grandchildren, illnesses and the losses of loved ones. Serving eight years with such selfless brothers has been an honor. As I continue to reflect, I think about what advice I can share after eight years on the Grand Chapter. One thing I have learned stands out. The single most important characteristic to a Theta Chi chapter’s long-term success is sustained and active alumnus involvement. The chapters with active and involved alumni are the chapters that thrive when all goes well and that overcome adversity when trouble arises. Alumnus brothers serving as Chapter Advisors or House Corporation officers provide a chapter with the foundation on which to build. Their advice and guidance helps the chapter stay focused on what is important. For the volunteer, the reward is watching each year as new members join the chapter. Then years pass and those same new members mature into chapter leaders, college graduates and responsible adults. For the volunteer, each year is a kind of rebirth. Even though the tasks and challenges may remain the same, the players con- stantly change. It is this change that keeps you coming back. As I finish my time on the Grand Chapter and return my focus to my own chapter, my hope is that you, too, will see a lot of life by volunteering to help Theta Chi. If you are an alumnus member, I encourage you get involved with your own chapter or a chapter near you. Serving on the House Corporation or as a Chapter Advisor is a great way to give back to Theta Chi. Your help is needed… and you will see a lot of life. Fraternally, Michael P. Maloney THE RATTLE/ SPRING 2008 3 Cover Story WHAT MAKES A By Patrick T. O’Connor (Chi/Auburn University ‘78) George Walthall walked onto the Auburn University campus as a freshman in the fall of 1930. Brother Walthall graduated in 1934. He never spent a night as a student at Auburn when he did not live in the Theta Chi house. Seventy-three years later, on September 22, 2007, Brother Walthall, now retired and living in Prattville, Alabama, was one of many Chi Chapter alumni who attended the grand opening of the chapter’s fourth house at Auburn University. These men, like spirits come to life from some history book, are the true foundation of Chi Chapter’s new house. Another solid rock from Chi’s past, Brother Arnold Fagen, President of the Chapter in 1949–50, returned for the grand opening from his current home on Jekyll Island, Georgia, to the campus where he played football for another Chi Chapter alumnus—Coach Ralph “Shug” Jordan, class of 1932. Brother Charles E. “Buddy” Davis, class of Patrick O’Connor ’78, George Walthall ’34, Harry Strack ’65, T. J. Eggers ’09, and Joseph Couch ’96 1959, is one of four Chi alumni for whom a celebrate at the Chi Grand Opening Ceremony. major building on campus is named. The recently completed Aerospace Engineering were not so free) to the arduous process of sell- brothers included Jack Waddey ’65, Harry building at Auburn was dedicated in honor of ing the former house, procuring land for the Strack, Jr. ’65, Dan Weisenberger ’89, Brother Davis during the fall of 2007. Brother new house, securing superior architectural and Woody Crochet ’93, Joseph Couch ’96, Davis, accompanied by several family members, construction providers, monitoring and pushing Jay Wilson ’96, Travis Hargrove made the trip to Auburn for the grand opening the construction process, and helping the ’01, and the author of this from his home in Laguna Niguel, California. Chapter stay focused through the time it was article. Brother Davis proved his belief in the value of without a house. This group of dedicated Chi fraternity not only by his presence, but, also, through his generosity—as the lead donor in the Chapter’s capital campaign. Brother Charlie Stephenson, class of 1973, also laid a figurative cornerstone for the new house through his generosity and vision. Brother Stephenson purchased the former house and property at 712 West Magnolia Avenue, which Chi had occupied since 1952, for a premium price in a transaction that most observers would say was motivated chiefly by his loyalty to the Fraternity. Brother Gary Barner, class of 1975, arrived for the grand opening with a bundle of pho- tographs, newspaper clippings and memorabilia from the 1970s when he was an active member of the Chapter. Present, too, were the Chi alumni who spent the better part of two years donat- ing every free moment (and some moments that 4 THE RATTLE/ SPRING 2008 HOUSE ? Theta Chi brothers from around the country The end result of architect Bob of George Walthall, Buddy Davis, Shug Jordan traveled to Auburn for the grand opening, Cunningham’s breathtaking design is a grace- and all the other men who followed the path of including Regional Counselor Brother Bill ful, yet dynamic assemblage of bricks and mor- Freeman and Chase.

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