TRIAD Spring 2012 OF ACACIA FRATERNITY “An organization is not necessarily good because it is old, but old because it is good.” Honoring The Lives And Legacy Of Our Beloved Presidents International Council Acacia Fraternity Foundation A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT of Acacia Fraternity Board of Directors President 2011-2012 Robert E. Roberson President Vice President Illinois Wesleyan ‘74 William M. Riley, Jr. Dewayne E. Ullsperger Passing of the Gavel Kansas State ‘60 Nebraska ‘82 First Vice President Secretary J. Scott Cleland James N. Katsaounis Ohio ‘88 Ohio ‘95 As I tuned in to the 2011 Track and Field World Championships Treasurer Executive Director held in South Korea earlier this fall, I couldn’t help but think of our Second Vice President Larry E. Schroeder Darold W. Larson Georgia ‘77 Washington State ‘81 own Fraternity. During one of the team races, as the baton was being Jeremy N. Davis passed off from one runner to another, I realized that this was similar Iowa State ‘00 DIRECTORS to the change in our undergraduate chapters. Instead of passing the C. Arlie Beane Gregory J. Owen International Counselor Oklahoma ’54 Carleton ‘88 baton, we pass the gavel on to a new era of fraternity leadership. Brian S. Downs Change at the undergraduate level is a constant for our chapters. Each Central Oklahoma ‘99 Christopher J. Caywood John H. Peper Michigan ’80 Texas ‘71 fall brings new members who are recruited and pledged. At that International Treasurer time, the history, traditions and customs of our Fraternity are passed Anthony D. J. Phillips Gerald C. Cook Melvin W. Rapp down to this younger generation. Ultimately, when they have finished their preliminary work, they Carleton ‘06 Shippensburg ’66 Illinois ‘49 are initiated as brothers of Acacia. And the cycle begins once again. Traditionally, winter is also the time when chapter officers are elected and transition begins from the old regime to a new one. The Judge Advocate Scott C. Graham Richard S. Rasmussen Maximilian J. B. Hopkins Penn State ’98 California ‘80 passing of the gavel is not only symbolic, but actual. As we approach the end of the year, our senior California ‘80 leadership graduates and moves on to our alumni ranks. This cycle of change in our chapters is as Mark R. Guidry, Jr. Dr. L. Dennis Smith constant as the seasons. Each year, the cycle continues and the gavel continues to be passed. Undergraduate Counselors Louisiana State ’57 Indiana ‘56 Justin M. Kaplan Michael S. Weber Although change is imminent in our alumni leadership, it moves at a slower, steadier pace. As in Carleton ’07 Iowa State ‘06 Scott J. Houston Donald W. Solanas, Jr. our chapters, elections are held for leadership positions within our International Council. Council Indiana ’80 Louisiana State ‘68 members are elected to a four-year term and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. Members ON THE COVER of the Acacia Fraternity Foundation are also elected by our voting members to a three-year term with Andrew Jee L. Lamar Tims a maximum of two consecutive terms, unless they are in an officer position. Chapter Advisors are In Memory Of... Oregon State ’87 Texas ‘61 elected to serve undergraduate chapters and have no limitations. A number of these brothers have We pay honor to three of our beloved Presidents that passed Amos D. Meyers, Jr. William A. Utic served their chapter in excess of 20 years. And, although they may no longer hold an office or official Shippensburg ’66 Cornell ‘74 title, many of our past leaders have continued their faithful support and mentoring of undergraduate away to Chapter Eternal Harold D. Zarr and alumni brothers. Thus, the gavel continues to be passed through the generations. (From top to bottom) Iowa State ‘73 Over the past two years, several distinguished and active alumni who provided leadership and Directors Emeritus Dr. Irving M. Field, Joseph F. Reed, advice to those that now serve have passed to Chapter Eternal. International President David J. Allen, Indiana ‘57, past National Presidents Irving M. Field, Missouri ‘54, and Joseph F. and David J. Allen. Each of these John C. Barber, M.D. Dr. John B. Lane Purdue ’58 Vermont ‘57 Reed, Long Beach State ‘55, and long time Washington State Chapter Advisor Lester N. Liebel, notable Acacians have left a legacy Washington State ‘40 - these four brothers represented almost 200 years of fraternity experience, that will influence many for years to John F. Beering John B. Pugh but their wealth of knowledge has been passed on to future generations of Acacians come. They will be sorely missed. Purdue ’88 Iowa State ‘5 John W. Wedgwood As International President, I ask you, “Will you help to educate our new generation of Acacians to ensure Purdue ‘60 that our beloved Fraternity is able to continue to pass the gavel?” As I approach my 40th anniversary of IN THIS ISSUE belonging to Acacia, I find myself moving closer to the change from a leadership role to that of an advisor CONCLAVE 2010 Page 3 and as long as I continue to be associated with Acacia Fraternity, I am prepared to pass the gavel. The 2010 Conclave was held in Exciting New Orleans IN MEMORY OF... Page 14 Robert E. Roberson, Honoring Three of Acacia’s Beloved Presidents President of the International Council of Acacia Fraternity Keeping Up with Acacian’s Alumni News & Notes Page 30 The TRIAD, Volume 5 Issue 1 Published by Acacia Fraternity, Inc. Keith Bushey, Editor Address changes, correspondence and material for publications should be mailed to: TRIAD Editor, Spring 2012 Acacia Fraternity, Inc., 8777 Purdue Road, Suite 225, Indianapolis, IN 46268; or emailed to [email protected] Conclave reconvened on Thursday morning for the formal International President Roberson made a special presentation Recommit, Renew, Reinvent opening and first business session. Brother Larson formally of the Order of Pythagoras to Brother Scalise for his introduced the International Council and began the morning contributions to his community. Following the presentation session with the presentation of the 2008-2010 Biennial of the 2009-2010 Foundation Scholarships and the Emma C. Report, outlining the progress of the Fraternity over the Allen Memorial Scholarships by AFF President William A. last biennium. The first full day of Conclave found the Utic, Cornell ‘74, Executive Director Darold Larson presented delegates attending guest speaker seminars, small group the Chapter Excellence Awards for the past biennium. sessions, including alumni sessions, and the Second Degree of A complete list of award recipients can be found at the end of initiation. Brother Doug MacCraw, Nebraska ‘86, making his our Conclave feature. Acacia marked its 106th year with the 56th Biennial Conclave and Leadership fifth Conclave appearance on Thursday evening, entertained the brothers once again. As always, Doug’s mixture of comedy The Dr. Irving M. Field Lecture Series was made possible by Academy held from August 4-8, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Acacia brothers and hypnosis brought down the house as he enticed volunteers past national president Brother Field, Missouri ‘54. Through from across North America converged upon the Sheraton New Orleans Hotel for on stage to help with the performance. Brother Field’s generosity, the Fraternity has been afforded the opportunity to bring a long list of influential speakers to four days of business, seminars and brotherhood! In a city that has rebuilt itself, it Friday morning started with several the AFF Luncheon with its inception at the 2000 Conclave. was appropriate that New Orleans be the backdrop as Acacia Fraternity prepared to volunteer brothers exemplifying Brother Field served Acacia as National President from 1974- the Acacia motto of Human 1978, the Board of Directors of the AFF from 1998, and had Recommit, Renew, Reinvent. Service. Throughout the day, our the very proud distinction of attending every Conclave from generous brothers donated over 1962-2004. On February 23, 2010, Brother Field passed to 40 pints of blood to the Ochsner the Chapter Eternal. Brother Larson’s heartfelt dedication to International President Robert E. Roberson, Illinois Wesleyan ‘74, opened the Blood Bank of New Orleans. This Brother Field will remain a vivid memory to all Acacia brothers Conclave on Wednesday afternoon, August 4, 2010, with greetings and challenges was truly a time for our brother that crossed his path. International President Roberson closed to demonstrate the beliefs of our the AFF Luncheon with one last special dedication. for the business that lay ahead. Following introductions from Executive Director Fraternity. The Acacia Fraternity Darold W. Larson, Washington State ‘81, brothers met for the President’s reception to Foundation Scholarship Luncheon Since 1998, Brother William A. Utic has served the AFF as was held on Friday afternoon. Past Board President with high distinction. reminisce with old friends and welcome new ones. Immediately after the reception, International President Donald W. Acacian Brother Giving Back! Solanas, Jr., LSU ‘68, introduced our ...Continued on page 5 a visit to the New Orleans House of Blues was a perfect way to end the evening. special guest and keynote speaker, The Honorable Stephen J. Scalise, LSU ‘86, Louisiana Congressman in the United States House of Representatives. 4 Spring 2012 R T I E N Through his Following the M E infallible leadership, installation, W the AFF has brothers were Featured Speakers M prospered and honored with O awarded thousands presentations Patrick Klein C of dollars in of the Order Patrick is the 27-year-old co-founder of PB&J Consultants. Traveling throughout the Midwest, E scholarships to of Pythagoras, Patrick shows off his passion for people, high energy, and ability to inspire both students and R worthy Acacia the Award of teachers.