Iota Theta Zeta
More than 60 alumni of Iota Theta Zeta attended the 60th annual Founders Day celebration the weekend of April 5-7, 2019. Here is a group photo taken after Saturday night's banquet.
Front row (from left): Neale Wooten, Jeff Stotts, Pete Murphy, Jay Clark, Caleb Strain, Evan Cady, Earl Morris.
Second row: Jim Allbright, Jack Pylant, Hayden Starrett, Robert Morris, Brent Davis, Carter Lee, Tyler Stone, Bryce Denker, Jeff Wicker, King Benson, Woody Harrelson.
Third row: Barry Forrest, Stan McPike, Jeff Simmons, Mike Mallory, Bill Garrison, Jim Stephens, Willis Forrester, Bob Yates, Mike Phillips, Richard McCann, Bob Gibson, Bob Harrelson, Charlie Crow, H.T. Moore.
Top row: Ryan Kibler, Delane Hogan, Warren Dupwe, Elbert Frazier, Greg Smith, Wendell Stratton, Jonathan Davis, Rick Gatewood, Mike Meroney, Jim Johnson, David Webb,Phillip Poston, Stephen Crancer, Mike Densmore, Tommy Fowler, Kevin Molder, Richard Dawson, Eric Moxley, Alan Jessup, Rob Beard, Greg Hays, Roy Ockert.
Alumni, actives of Iota Theta Zeta celebrate chapter’s 60th anniversary
About 70 alumni of Iota Theta Zeta participated in the chapter’s 60th anniversary Founders Day celebration April 5-7, 2019. The weekend started with a golf tournament and concluded with a ceremony memorializing the 125 former members who have died.
Highlighting the celebration was Saturday night’s banquet at the Cooper Alumni Center, attended by nearly 200 alumni, active members, associates and their guests.
Rather than having a keynote address for the banquet, four alumni spoke briefly, addressing the fraternity’s history, its importance and its future. They were: Jim Stephens of Gilbert, Ariz., Iota Theta No. 5; Charlie Crow of Little Rock, Iota Theta No. 81; Warren Dupwe of Jonesboro, Iota Theta No. 139; and Tommy Fowler of Jonesboro, Iota Theta No. 808.
Previously Founders Day banquets divisible by 10 have featured a return visit from George Spasyk, the longtime executive director of the national fraternity who was instrumental in Iota Theta’s founding. Because of his health, Brother George, now 95, who holds the honorary zeta number of 1A, is unable to travel.
In addition to Stephens and Crow, three other founders attended the banquet — Bob Yates #3, Willis Forrester #57 and Jack Pylant #96.
H.T. Moore, Iota Theta 244, received the Warren Dupwe Distinguished Alumnus Award, presented annually to someone who has had an outstanding career, has been active in civic, community and professional organization., and has also served the fraternity. It’s named for the chapter’s longtime High Pi, who is also one of its most distinguished alumni.
Dr. Stan McPike, Iota Theta 371 and also a longtime chapter adviser, was presented with the Roy Ockert Service Award, started four years ago in recognition of the house corporation treasurer’s dedication to serving the fraternity. McPike retired as High Pi in 2006.
Landen Crancer, a senior from Rector, received the chapter's Service and Stewardship Award, from High Alpha Aaron Orender. Landen is one of six seniors who will receive ASU Distinguished Service Awards on April 25. One will be named to the Wilson Award, the university's highest honor for a graduating student. Seven Lambda Chi's have been selected for the Wilson Award.
Lee Sullivan, who served as High Alpha of the chapter in 2018, received the chapter’s Brother of the Year Award.
A “War Stories” reception Friday night at the Hilton Garden Inn drew a large crowd of alumni and actives. Many of the alumni told their younger brothers what fraternity life was like in the early days of the chapter, including the night of the chartering. The event also drew a large group of 1990s brothers, who had something of a reunion over the weekend and had a great time telling stories about each other.
All in all, the actives could easily see that brotherhood remains strong over the years. However, it should be noted that most of the spouses of the alumni either avoided the event or retired early.
Eleven 2-man teams competed in the Founders Day Golf Tournament Friday afternoon at the Sage Meadows Country Club. Here are the results:
Alumni
1. Shaun Robinson and Jim Johnson, 67
2. Mike Meroney and King Benson, 68
3. Elbert Frazier and Roy Ockert, 69
Actives
1. Tanner Ezell and Dylan McDaniel, 73
2. Bryce Denker and Caleb Strain, 74
During the annual meeting of the house corporation, Lambda Chi Alpha at ASU Inc., Saturday morning, the group authorized the Board of Directors to split the corporation into two entities, one for managing the house and the other for handling fund-raising and alumni activities.
The national organization’s legal counsel recommends separate organizations to limit liability. Of course, the chapter is also a separate legal entity, and High Pi Kevin Molder heads a four group, the Alumni Advisory Board, which is made up of mentors to the chapter officers.
The Board of Directors will work out the details for the split, to be effective Jan. 1, 2020, with new bylaws to be presented for confirmation at next year’s Founders Day meeting.
The corporation elected six board members to new 2-year terms — Pete Murphy, Bill Garrison, Stan McPike, Barry Forrest, Brent Davis and Jeff Simmons. The current officers were re-elected, except that Mike Mallory was chosen as secretary.
After the meeting the active members hosted a crawfish boil at the house.
The Rev. Jay Clark, Iota Theta 803 and a Methodist minister, on Sunday morning presided over the Omega Service, which concluded the weekend’s activities.
Four of the chapter's founders catch up before the banquet. They are (from left): Jack Pylant, No. 96; Bob Yates, No. 3; Willis Forrester, No. 57; and Jim Stephens, No. 5.
A contingent of 1990s era brothers had a mini-reunion during the Founders Day weekend. They are:
Front row (from left): Jeff Wicker, Neale Wooten, Mike Meroney;
Middle row: Kevin Molder, King Benson, Jay Clark, Alan Jessup, Eric Moxley;
Back row: Rob Beard, Jim Johnson, Phillip Poston, Greg Hays, Tommy E. Fowler, Richard Dawson, Jonathan Davis and Woody Harrelson.
Several others attended the reception Friday night.
H.T. Moore (left) receives the Warren Dupwe Distinguished Service Award from Warren himself. Making the announcement was High Pi Kevin Molder (right).
Dr. Stan McPike (left), longtime adviser to the chapter, was presented with the Roy Ockert Alumni Service Award. Making the presentation was the current adviser, Kevin Molder.
Jim Stephens, Iota Theta Zeta No. 5 and one of the founders of the Lambda Chi Alpha Chapter, led off a panel of alumni speakers at Saturday night's Banquet. Also speaking (in order) were Charlie Crow, No. 81 and the first pledge class president; Warren Dupwe, No. 139, longtime chapter adviser; and Tommy Fowler, No. 808, representing younger alumni.
Landen Crancer, a senior from Rector, receives the chapter's Service and Stewardship Award, from High Alpha Aaron Orender. Landen is one of six seniors who will receive ASU Distinguished Service Awards on April 25. One will be named to the Wilson Award, the university's highest honor for a graduating student. Seven Lambda Chi's have been selected for the Wilson Award.
Jack Barnello (right), a junior initiate (No. 1548) from Cabot, visits with two founders of Iota Theta — Jim Stephens (left), No. 5, and Charlie Crow, No. 81.
Three members of the spring 1966 pledge class get together during Friday night's reception. They are (from left): Jim Allbright, No. 236; H.T. Moore, No. 244; and John Phelps, No. 245.
Enjoying the brotherhood at Friday night's reception were (from left): Mike Mallory, No. 305; No. Jim Allbright, No. 236; Mike Densmore, No. 323; and H.T. Moore, No. 244.
Lee Sullivan (right), who served as High Alpha of the chapter in 2018, receives the Brother of the Year Award from the current High Alpha, Aaron Orender.
From left, Jay Clark, Warren Dupwe and Mike Meroney led a crowd of almost 200 brothers and their guests in a rousing song to close the 60th anniversary Founders Day Banquet.
Early arrivals at Friday night's reception several oldtimers included (from left): Willis Forrester, No. 57; Mike Phillips, No. 105; Charlie Crow, No. 81; Fay Chappell, No. 174; Tyler Swindle, No. 130; Richard McCann, No. 123; and Roy Ockert, No. 203.
Among the ladies who endured Friday night's "War Stories" were Kathryn Swindle (left) and Brenda McCann.