Ockert awarded first Roy Ockert Alumni Service Award

By Harry Truman Moore

Iota Theta 244

One of the highlights of Iota Theta Zeta’s 55th Founders Day celebration was the presentation of a new award to the person for whom it is named.

Roy A. Ockert Jr. was announced as the first recipient of the “Roy Ockert Alumni Service Award” by house corporation Vice President Barry Forrest. Brother Forrest said, “This award will be awarded annually to the alumnus who offers exceptional service to the alumni brothers and the Lambda Chi Alpha house corporation.”

“Exceptional service” is an understatement of Roy’s service to the house corporation over the last more than 10 years. Roy returned to Jonesboro in 2001 to become the editor of The Jonesboro Sun. That’s not all that Iota Theta 203 did.

He immediately “re-connected” with Lambda Chi Alpha and by 2003 had been elected to the then existing house corporation board and was also elected board secretary that same year. In 2004 he took over the most difficult job on the board, that of treasurer, and he serves us to this day in that office.

When Roy took over as treasurer, the house corporation had a first mortgage of $305,884, and a second mortgage of $44,500. He and fellow board member Jim Allbright devised a rental payment plan from the active chapter that was fair to both parties, and made certain that the chapter kept its obligations to the board current.

Ten years later, the first mortgage is down to $201,936, and even with the thousands of dollars that have been spent on repairs to the house, there is a small, “High Five for Lambda Chi” loan of $40,130, which is being repaid from outstanding pledges from severalbrothers.

Roy was honored at Homecoming 2013 as a “Distinguished Alumnus” of Arkansas State University for his achievements in his profession, community service and his service to ASU, including his service to Lambda Chi Alpha.

Roy has never been bashful about asking for funds for the house corporation, and since I know he wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to do so if he were writing this article, let me remind you that you can do something to give back to your fraternity, and make Roy’s job easier in the future, by paying your annual dues to the house corporation, paying on your pledge to the High Five campaign, making a contribution to the High Five campaign or making a donation to be applied directly to the pay down of the first mortgage.

Roy’s address is 2815 Spring Valley Drive, Jonesboro, AR 72404. Send him a note thanking him for his hard work, congratulating him for his award, and put in a check. That will make him really happy.