The Cornell Alpha Delt
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The Cornell Alpha Delt • FIRST PUBLISHED IN 1896 • SUMMER 2014 • THIS ISSUE . A Senior’S REFLECTION: LEARNING TO LEAD THE BOND OF AN The lawyer’s voice was stereotypically mundane we could not host any social events (except philan- ETERNAL BROTHERHOOD and direct. Our attorney and confidant, Bill Shaw, thropy events) for two years. It was a brutal verdict Past: Reunion 2014 in Photos stood before the brotherhood in the house library and we braced ourselves for an uncertain future. (page 5) on an autumn night in 2011; he was the main at- This memory is one of many that will disap- traction at our emergency chapter meeting. His lips pear with the graduating class of 2014, consid- muttered the dreaded words written on the letter in ering that we were the newly initiated brothers Present: A Senior’s Reflections: his hand. Alpha Delta Phi will be on probation for at the time. Fortunately, the memory has since Learning to Lead two years, it read. We were being punished for a se- been muffled by unforgettable, rich, and mellow (pages 1 and 3) ries of violations of the campus code of conduct, and experiences that will also be told less frequently for a handful of violations of rules that regulate rush around the house with our departure. Future: Introducing the 145th and hosting social events. Commence the search for Because of how we responded, that mo- a live-in adviser, it implored. We appealed. The re- ment most defines this graduating class’s last- Pledge Class (pages 6–7) sult? We would not have to find a live-in advisor, but (continued on page 3) ALSO FEATURING Notes from the President “ITHAKA” (page 2) As you set out for Ithaka as many sensual perfumes as you can; hope the voyage is a long one, and may you visit many Egyptian cities The ACEF Continues Its Support full of adventure, full of discovery. to gather stores of knowledge from their scholars. of Writing and Academic Laistrygonians and Cyclops, Excellence at Cornell (page 4) angry Poseidon—don’t be afraid of them: Keep Ithaka always in your mind. you’ll never find things like that on your way Arriving there is what you are destined for. Reflections of a NIB (page 6) as long as you keep your thoughts raised high, But do not hurry the journey at all. as long as a rare excitement Better if it lasts for years, stirs your spirit and your body. so you are old by the time you reach the island, Brothers Welcome Scott Brown Laistrygonians and Cyclops, wealthy with all you have gained on the way, for Dinner (page 6) wild Poseidon—you won’t encounter them not expecting Ithaka to make you rich. unless you bring them along inside your soul, Victory Club 2014 unless your soul sets them up in front of you. Ithaka gave you the marvelous journey. a Great Success (page 7) Without her you would not have set out. Hope the voyage is a long one. She has nothing left to give you now. May there be many a summer morning when, Alumni News and Updates with what pleasure, what joy, And if you find her poor, Ithaka won’t have (page 10) you come into harbors seen for the first time; fooled you. may you stop at Phoenician trading stations Wise as you will have become, so full of ex- Remembering Those We Have to buy fine things, perience, mother of pearl and coral, amber and ebony, you will have understood by then what these Lost This Year (page 10) sensual perfume of every kind— Ithakas mean. C.P. Cavafy, Collected Poems WWW.ADPHICORNELL.ORG • PAGE 1 ΑΔΦ NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT Rarely does one have the honor of serving Important to note as well is the diligence OFFICERS AND as president of the Alpha Delta Phi at Cor- and care that the chapter exhibited this year DIRECTORS nell for two semesters in a row, but this year when it came to the standards set for social and ALPHA DELTA PHI saw somewhat of a transition period between charity events. Not only did we have a fulfill- a smaller crop of more senior brothers and a ing semester in these regards, with events every AT CORNELL, INC. rather large generation of younger Alpha Delts, weekend and more charity functions than any which seemed to favor a longer executive term. other year in my time here, but we also did so While, at first, I held some reservations about without infringing on the IFC’s rules. In a year the notion of an extended presidential term, when a multitude of houses faced judicial ac- CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD I feel that, in many ways, it put me at an ad- tion, and some even saw their recognition re- Kenneth E. Growney ’82 vantage in terms of experience and, thus, ulti- voked, Alpha Delta Phi stood strong and did mately served to benefit the house as a whole. not face any sanctions or investigations. While [email protected] Given the length of my tenure, I also believe I ADPhi’s position might be expected, given ram- was able to observe a rather broad progression pant fear in an environment such as Cornell’s PRESIDENT of the chapter and am subsequently delighted Greek system, where transparency is minimal Howard B. Schaffer ’90 to report that, overall, we have continued to and rules are ever changing, I consider it to be [email protected] live up to our historically lofty reputation while a paramount accomplishment. The more we remaining committed to making novel strides build on our clean record, the more we solidify VICE PRESIDENT in a positive direction. our reputation within and beyond the univer- John R. Tuttle ’81 Rush, in particular, proved to be a great sity and set up a solid foundation for posterity, [email protected] success this year. We took and retained the which, to me, is one of the most important as- largest pledge class in my time at Cornell, pects of fraternal life. TREASURER and all of the new brothers have shown a Aristotle notes that being the leader of a Patrick G. Kavanagh ’07 spark and initiative that has invigorated the society of equals is particularly difficult. On [email protected] spirit of the brotherhood. The 22 new mem- one hand, you are the first among equals, ex- bers have been eager to take positions and pected to be the same as everybody else; thus, RECORDING SECRETARY even more eager to live in the house. In fact, your power is not absolute. However, on the I am pleased to note that, next semester, 777 other end, since you must lead and bear the Rudy Koch ’00 Stewart Avenue will be fully occupied. This responsibility of making tough decisions, it is [email protected] enduring goal has not always been easy to also necessary to distinguish yourself some- reach and has tended to be a source of finan- how, which is an immense challenge. I came CORRESPONDING SECRETARY cial woes. Logistically, things are running to understand Artistotle’s statement firsthand W. Douglas Bond ’66 much more smoothly as well, because we from living among such a rambunctious group [email protected] now have a system of hard-set lease agree- of Alpha Delt men, a proud bunch with di- ments to prevent brothers from making last- verse ambitions. After being at the center of it minute changes to their housing plans and all, I can say that I learned much about main- DIRECTORS EMERITI more clear-cut guidelines to define the condi- taining my convictions and making tough de- tions in which rooms must be handed over. cisions. However, I also learned much about George M. Kennedy ’52 Another key success this year was begin- how to delegate, how to trust people, and, Richard W. Wambach ’53 ning our involvement with Cornell Outdoor most of all, how to thicken my skin and to John S. Dyson ’65 Education. This initiative, originally set forth have a sense of humor about things, which is W. Douglas Bond ’66 by ACEF, is seen as the future of new-member one of the most underrated traits of a leader. education at Cornell, given the current chang- At both high-pressured and humorous times, es and policies of the administration. A few this job was an engaging and energizing expe- other brothers and I took part in a fall trip rience, and I am sure that the next group of RETIRING OCTOBER 2015 as a precursor and trial run to the larger ex- leaders will find it the same and that they will cursion that will include the majority of the thrive off of the challenges. Philip C. Ballard ’00 brotherhood next fall. I can safely say that the My term, of course, has come to an end, W. Douglas Bond ’66 trip was educational and engaging and cer- and the president-elect, Oliver Viera ’15, will Michael R. Elliott ’87 tainly brought me closer to those with whom be taking over. The transition of the execu- Kenneth E. Growney ’82 I shared the experience. After backpacking all tive board went about as smoothly as anyone Patrick G. Kavanagh ’07 day, when setting up camp and building a fire could ask for, and, after a couple of meetings Rudy Koch ’00 before nightfall was an absolute necessity, I and exchanging of keys, information, and Jim McCormick ’69 gained a stronger understanding of the ways pointers, I have all the confidence that this Thomas M.