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Cross & Crescenta Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication

INSIDE:C-SPAN’s Top ExecRobert Kennedy attributes his successful career in telecommunications to his mentor and the fraternity.

USAF Major General RetiresMaj. Gen. Larry L. Twitchell officially retires after important Middle East assignment

International Art DealerSince opening his gallery in May 2005, Kenny Goss has received international media acclaim.

January 2006 . XCIV . Issue 1

Cross & Crescent

�www.crossandcrescent.com

a Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity publication

10C-SPAN’S ToP ExECIn December, Robert G. Kennedy was named co-president of C-SPAN, the public affairs cable television network. He and co-president Susan Swain have effectively been running the network’s day-to-day operations for nearly a decade.By Chris Barrick

12USAF MAjoR GENERAl RETIRESOfficially retired, Maj. Gen. Larry L. Twitchell most recently served as chief, U.S. Military Training Mission, U.S. Central Command, Saudi Arabia, and as the U.S. Defense Department Representative to Saudi Arabia. In these roles, he represented the U.S. government and Saudi Arabian defense interests for military sales and the coordination of administrative and security matters.By Jason Pearce

14INTERNATIoNAl ART DEAlERSince opening his new gallery in May 2005, Kenny Goss has received international media acclaim. His current exhibition centers around world peace and showcases the piano John Lennon used to write “Imagine.”By Tad Lichtenauer

Chapter NewsChapter and Alumni News

Fraternity News2006 Review and 2007 Planning

HistoryWarren A. Cole: A Brief Biography (Part 2)

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CREDITS

Publisher: Bill FarkasEditor: Jason PearceAssistant Editor: Chris BarrickAssistant Editor: Tad LichtenauerIllustrator: Jeff ReisdorferPodcast Voice: Fuzz MartinPhotographer: Walt MoserAssignment Editor: Jon WilliamsonHistorian: Mike RaymondContributing Editors: Jono Hren Aaron Jones George Spasyk

Cross & Crescent DECEMBER 2006

Features

CoNTRIbUTIoNS

Content for consideration should be submitted by the fiftenth of the month.

Lambda Chi Alpha8741 Founders RdIndianapolis, IN 46268-1338(317) 872-8000editor@lambdachi.orgwww.lambdachi.orgwww.crossandcrescent.com

Cross & Crescent DECEMBER 2006�www.crossandcrescent.com

CHAPTER NEWS

Chapter NewsChapter news, alumni news, and reports of death

Arizona (Zeta-Beta)William Frederick (1969) died.

Bucknell (Delta)Nick Panaro (2008) was elected 2007 IFC internal vice president and Arjun Raman (2009) was elected IFC chair for Greeks Advocating Multicultural Education.

California State-Northridge (Beta-Rho)

More than 25 alumni and undergraduates attended the chapter’s House Corporation annual meeting.

Central Michigan (Lambda-Omega)Steve Johnson (1971) died November 18, 2006.

Central Missouri (Lambda-Pi)The chapter presented the Central Missouri Food Bank with a $5,000 check in conjunction with funds during its annual Watermelon Fest and Lambda Chi Alpha North American Food Drive.

Coe (Zeta-Alpha)Dr. Tim Mauldin (1969) was recognized by the High Plains Division of the American Cancer Society with its Lifetime Achievement Award. Mauldin has served in a variety of volunteer positions with the American Cancer Society for more than 15 years.

Colorado State (Gamma-Pi)Fred A. Fitzsimmons (1950) died January 20, 2006.

Cornell (Omicron)The chapter held a fund-raising event that raised $7,000 for the National Alliance on Mental Illness of the Finger Lakes.

Embry-Riddle (Sigma-Phi)The chapter unloaded more than 7,000 pumpkins for the First United Methodist Church’s annual pumpkin patch. The event raises funds for at-risk young families and the student ministry.

Ferris State (Iota-Psi)Ronald E. Fix (1964) died June 3, 2006. A retired U.S. Marine

Corp colonel, Fix served as an aviator during two tours in Vietnam and was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star, three Purple Hearts, 63 Air Medals, and numerous other recognitions.

Louisiana State (Upsilon)Mack E. Barham (1946) died November 27, 2006. A former

Louisiana Supreme Court justice, Barham was the chapter’s 500th initiate and remained a strong alumni supporter for more than 50 years.

Michigan Tech (Phi-Phi)The chapter’s fund-raising efforts collected about 7,000 pounds of food for the Little Brothers — Friends of the Elderly.

Missouri-Columbia (Gamma-Kappa)Alex Ricke (2009) was elected IFC vice president of risk management and Bryan VanGronigen (2009) was elected vice president of finance and records. For the fourth consecutive year, the chapter placed in the top five during the 2006 Greek Week competition.


CHAPTER NEWS

Missouri-Kansas City (Sigma-Rho)

The chapter held a Hope Rally and raised $1,300 to aid in the search for Jesse Ross (2010) who went missing in Chicago, Illinois, while attending a Model United Nations meeting.

Nebraska-Omaha (Iota-Delta)The chapter helped collect toys and donations for the Lash LaRue Toy Drive, a fund-raising event organized by Omaha, Nebraska, musician Lash LaRue.

Nevada-Reno (Epsilon-Iota)Travis Anderson (2007) was named Greek Week’s President of the Year.

Northwestern (Alpha-Iota)Richard H. Prugh (1951) died January 2006.

Arthur H. McCoy (1940) died February 15, 2006.

Randolph-Macon (Kappa-Tau)Syd Thrift, Jr. (1951) died September 18, 2006. Thrift served

as the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Baltimore Orioles. During his 50-year baseball career, he also spent time as a player, scout, and executive with the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics,

and Kansas City Royals. After retiring from baseball in 2004, he co-hosted a syndicated radio program sponsored by Major League Baseball.

Rhode Island (Eta)Tighe Flatley (2007) was elected homecoming king. Mark Volante (2008) was awarded the Michael J. Fitzgerald Scholarship, a scholarship given by Brother Fitzgerald’s mother to honor his memory. Along with the Delta Zeta sorority, the chapter won philanthropy week.

South Florida (Lambda-Mu)On November 21, 2006, the Grand High Zeta declared the chapter inactive due to risk management violations. Under inactive status, the chapter is closed and no member can represent the organization, or conduct events in the name of Lambda Chi Alpha.

Southern Methodist (Gamma-Sigma)Gabe Travers (2007) was named as one of the students to serve on the university’s board of trustees.

Syracuse (Alpha-Upsilon)Kevin O’Neill (1991) was named a partner in the law firm of Patton Boggs.

Tennessee-Knoxville (Epsilon-Omicron)ESPN sports commentator Woody Paige (1968) was re-hired as a columnist with The Denver Post after previously leaving the role in 2004. Paige is a 2006 Order of Achievement recipient.

Texas Christian (Iota-Pi)James Ivey (1968) died October 20, 2006. Ivey recieved the Order of Merit in 1996.


CHAPTER NEWS

Tulsa (Epsilon-Upsilon)Chris Kindred (2007) played football in the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl against Utah. Nick Doctor (2008) was elected IFC president and chapter president.

Wabash (Alpha-Kappa)Mark W. Rutherford (1982), an attorney with Thrasher Buschmann Griffith & Voelkel, P.C. in Indianapolis, Indiana, was elected second vice president of the Central Indiana Tennis Association for 2006–2007.

West Texas A&M (Iota-Xi)Donnie Wann (1985) is a security sergeant for the

Texas Department of Criminal Justice in Amarillo, Texas.

Western Carolina (Beta-Zeta)After spending 20 years and becoming a senior vice president for a transportation company, Robert Oltz (1972) now serves as an executive for a large non-profit company in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Robert McRary (1990) works as a marketing product manager for Universal Music in Santa Monica, California.


The plan will need to be based upon five areas of concentration that have been the focus for much of our activity during the past year. Those areas are:

1. Membership Services 2. Alumni Involvement 3. Communications and Outreach 4. Finance 5. Pride in Lambda Chi Alpha

Membership ServicesOur membership services support system centers on the educational leadership consultants. During the 2005 Leadership Seminar, I promised that each chapter and colony would receive two visits a year from the Headquarters staff. I pleased to report that this goal has been achieved every semester since that declaration. It is a wise investment of Fraternity resources.

Additionally, in the summer of 2005 the “Shine the Badge” program was adopted by the Grand High Zeta. Through this initiative, Lambda Chi Alpha has re-focused and re-dedicated energy to chapter and colony accountability.

This effort evolved, specifically, from the Standards found in our Constitution. During the first year of implementation we focused on membership (the size of a chapter) and worked to build and maintain a chapter size of 20 members. We have witnessed numerous occasions where chapters have embraced this challenge and met or exceeded their goals.

A LITTLe oF A yeAR AGo we shared the last update about where the challenges of Lambda Chi Alpha lay and what we were going to do to overcome those obstacles.

I am pleased to report that we have come through this period of challenge, doing so with a clear sense of our goals and an awareness of the roadblocks that stand in our path.

Most importantly, we do so with a sense of hope and clear evidence that we can and will meet or exceed those challenges.

During the past year, Lambda Chi Alpha associated 3,987 men and initiated 3,585 (a 90 percent retention rate); our total number of undergraduate members is 9,982; and in April 2006, Lambda Chi Alpha initiated its 250,000th brother.

Importance of PlanningIf you have an idea of the direction you wish to go, you’ll have a vastly better chance of getting there. This past year, the Headquarters staff and the Grand High Zeta teamed up to create and execute an operational plan.

The challenge for the next year will be the development of a thoughtful and innovative strategic plan — one that allows Lambda Chi Alpha to not only hit its goals, but to help lead an international fraternal renaissance.

The time has come for Lambda Chi Alpha to reclaim its title as the preeminent fraternal leader.

Alumni InvolvementWe are committed to getting more and more alumni engaged in the mission of our Fraternity. In addition to the regular assistance of helping chapters find alumni advisers, your Headquarters staff plans to take an aggressive stance on securing an officially appointed and well trained High Pi at every chapter and colony by the end of this upcoming academic year. There really is no alternative. Chapters that have an engaged High Pi offer a better and more consistent fraternal experience than those that do not.

Additionally, the Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation is focused on generating and investing resources for our future and is in the middle of a fund-raising campaign.

The Foundation staff and board do vital work and are in the vanguard of actions that not only provide means for alumni to get involved in the Fraternity, but will hopefully create big opportunities for the Fraternity in the years ahead.

Communications and Outreach Lambda Chi Alpha continues to give back to the community. I am pleased to report that this year’s North American Food Drive witnessed brothers of Lambda Chi spending

2006 Review and 2007PlanningExecutive Vice President, Bill Farkas’s update ont the state of the fraternity. By Bill Farkas (Butler 1988)

FRATERNITY NEWS


I have witnessed the relationships that have been developed between the undergraduate members and our Headquarters. I see chapters who aren’t afraid to reach out and seek the assistance and support of the professional staff.

I have witnessed more and more alumni raising their hands wanting to get re-involved in the life of their Fraternity and asking the simple question: “What can I do to help?” And I have witnessed a Headquarters staff who take great pride (and have fun) in doing what we do all for the benefit of our members.

We have a great Headquarters team. These men and women work hard, they work smart, and they really, really try to get it right.

Next 100 YearsAll of these things make it clear to me that pride, combined with a sense of purpose, will cause us to achieve our goals.

However, we still have much to do. We need to expand and grow our membership in the years ahead, and we need to continue the growth in alumni involvement and membership services.

Next, we have a strategic planning process taking place, with some initiatives already well underway. We must finish the task we have begun as we move into the next 100 years of our great Fraternity.

40,000 man hours working to raise 3 million pounds of food.Lambda Chi Alpha continues to lead the fraternity world with the Cross & Crescent magazine. This publication became the first and only electronic-based fraternal publication. Our peers have begun to see the light and many have followed our path.

We need the undergraduates and alumni to share with us what you are doing in the name of Lambda Chi Alpha. The new Lambda Chi Alpha website is being developed and all signs point to a roll-out in 2007.

FinancesWe made a commitment to straighten out the Fraternity’s finances and I am very pleased to report that this has been done. Lambda Chi Alpha General Fraternity operated in the black this year and finished the 2005–2006 fiscal year with $300,000 in the black.

The board and staff made some tough decisions including moving the Cross & Crescent magazine to a strictly electronic format and making some severe cuts to the staff. Both of these events were accomplished without a loss of quality in the services delivered to the brotherhood.

Additionally, the Lambda Chi Alpha Properties group of the Fraternity made some difficult financial decisions. We have become a leaner and re-focused operation, now providing a better housing model for Lambda Chi Alpha moving into the future.

Simply put, we are once again on solid financial ground.

Pride in Lambda Chi AlphaFollowing the multiple successes we have witnessed over the past year there comes along a renewed sense of pride. This has been demonstrated to me by the young brothers I have met on my travels. I have witnessed brothers of purpose who were working extremely hard to do the right thing by their chapter.

our Interfraternal Peers

The Fraternity executives Association conducts an annual survey of its membership to provide a barometer of industry trends. Delta Tau Delta compiles this information as its service commitment to FeA. Thirty-eight of the 70 national/international fraternities responded for 2005-2006.

Initiations Since FoundingLCA: 252,836 initiatedAvg: 120,034 initiated7 initiated > 200,0009 initiated 100,000-200,00022 initiated < 100,000

Initiations last YearLCA: 3,152 initiatedAvg: 1,660 initiated 7 initiated > 3,00015 initiated 1,000-3,00016 initiated < 1,000

Number of UndergradsLCA: 9,982 membersAvg: 4,718 members12 have > 6,00011 have 3,000-6,00015 have < 3,000

Number of ChaptersLCA: 204 chaptersAvg: 108 chapters7 have > 20011 have 100-20020 have < 100

Average Chapter SizeLCA: 41.3 members Avg: 34.8 members14 have > 4013 have 30-4011 have < 30

Four-Year CostLCA: $595 per manAvg: $557 per man12 cost > $60017 cost $500-$6009 cost < $500

Chapters openedLCA: 7 openedAvg: 3 opened8 opened > 58 opened 3-522 opened < 3

Chapters ClosedLCA: 11 closedAvg: 3 closed6 closed > 59 closed 3-523 closed < 3

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FRATERNITY NEWS


By Mike Raymond (Miami-OH 1967)

Warren A. Cole: A brief biography (Part 2)

FIRST exPeDITIoN To SWANSeAI suppose I really can’t say that Warren A. Cole’s (Boston 1912) grave site was ever lost. After all, it has been in the same picturesque spot since he was buried there in 1969.

The site became lost in the sense that no one at our international headquarters could find a record of its location. This mystery, combined with a desire to make sure that Cole was properly memorialized as the founder of our Fraternity, provided the motivation to find his final resting place.

In late summer of 2003, my wife and I visited Swansea, Massachusetts, in the hope of finding Cole’s burial site. We were both curious to see what it looked like and what inscriptions we might find regarding Lambda Chi Alpha.

Our initial search for his grave resulted in finding the Cole family plot in the Mt. Hope Public Cemetery near the Swansea Public Library. The Cole family monument was large and impressive with many smaller head stones in its vicinity. The general area around the Cole monument was bare and sun baked. We found many members of the Cole family buried in the plot, but not Warren A. Cole.

As fate would have it, all of the public offices were closed the Friday of our visit because of a state budget crisis. Not able to find anyone who could help us identify his burial site, we took a few photographs for a record of our visit and returned home. The mystery remained unsolved.

Brothers Assist in SearchIt wasn’t until February 2005 that I began my search once again. I decided to request help in my quest on an online Lambda Chi Alpha forum. My initial request for assistance generated a mixed bag of responses that ranged from attempts at humor to thoughtful suggestions about solving the mystery.

The group discussed many topics like genealogy research techniques, the possibility of cremation, last known residences, contacting historical societies and local churches, and reviewing documents and magazines in our Fraternity’s archives.

After a year of intermittent discussions and research, I was thrilled to report that I had found references to Cole’s funeral and burial service. According to an old issue of the Cross & Crescent magazine, Cole was buried in 1969 in a place called Horton Land, located just a few miles from Swansea, Massachusetts.

Horton Land was identified as the birthplace of his mother and as her ancestral property. Unfortunately, this information was not detailed enough to precisely locate his burial site. However, this information did provide some important guidance for a second expedition to Swansea, Massachusetts; or, as someone else would have it, a road trip!

Second Expedition to SwanseaJohn Gezelius (California 1978) volunteered to fly from California to Massachusetts to locate and photograph Warren A. Cole’s grave site. Gezelius, an experienced elder law attorney, is very familiar with cemetery practices, family lineage, land law, and burial customs. Various Brothers, including Jono Hren (Florida Tech 1975), offered support and encouragement within the online forum.

The major breakthrough resulted from contacts made by Tom Earp (Pittsburg State 1967) with Karen Riendeau Remine, the secretary of Christ Episcopal Church in Swansea, Massachusetts. Remine was able to pinpoint the exact plot number and location of Cole’s grave.

Gezelius used this information, and knowledge he gained from other sources, to identify the official name of the cemetery. Guided by this additional research information, he began his search on June 11, 2006.

On June 13, 2006, Gezelius posted this short note: “Mission Complete. Details to Follow.”

This note was followed by a series of color photographs that visually documented the rustic dirt road to the cemetery, the cemetery gate and low wall so typical of the New England countryside, the various family headstones, and most importantly, the headstone of our founder.

HISTORY

Solving the mystery of Cole’s lost gravesite.


Gezelius would later report that Cole’s burial spot was beneath the third marker he examined.

Mysteries Within a MysteryOn the surface, it appeared that the mystery of the lost grave site was solved. However, a close look at the photographs reveals even more mysteries that are begging to be answered.

Cole’s headstone is marked on both sides with important information about his life and esoteric beliefs. He is clearly identified as the “Founder of the LCA, Nov. 2, 1909” on the grave side of the stone.

The reverse side of the headstone is simply remarkable in its depiction of chiseled symbols identifing his various fraternal affiliations. Though difficult to see in the photograph, there is a monogram of the letters Lambda, Chi, and Alpha; the Compass and Square of Freemasonry; the Cross and Crescent of our fraternity; and two other symbols. The last two symbols are probably associated with the Patrons of Husbandry (Grange) and the Knights of Pythias.

The reverse side of the headstone also has his name chiseled in Old English style letters superimposed on a carved book, representing his life, with his date of birth and date of death on its spine.

Of special note is the headstone of his first wife, Lottie Mae Hathaway Cole, which is crowned with a monogram so familiar to us: Zeta Alpha Chi.

This use of ZAX is not explainable within the normal bounds of our fraternal usage of the monogram. At least one other headstone in the cemetery displays an unorthodox usage of our symbols.

As with many mysteries in life, this one seems layered with additional mysteries. Solve one mystery and new mysteries arise to take its place.

Some examples to ponder: Why was Cole buried at his mother’s family cemetery and not the Cole plot at Mt. Hope Cemetery? Why was he buried near his first wife and not his second wife? Who was responsible for the design of Warren A. Cole’s headstone? Why were symbols, restricted to members of our Fraternity, so freely used on the headstones of Cole’s female relatives?

These are all great questions for which I have no answer at this time.

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Cautionary Note

All of us involved in the discovery of Cole’s burial site are concerned about preserving it in all of its natural beauty.

Details about the cemetery’s exact location have been purposefully left out of this article to preserve its privacy and solitude.

The cemetery is a family plot situated in a residential area. It is simply not a suitable place for large groups of visitors.

I think that Cole should be memorialized in his hometown of Swansea, Massachusetts.

An historic marker, identifying Warren A. Cole of Swansea, Massachusetts, as our founder, could be easily attained and erected near the Mt. Hope Cemetery.

There is an area near the Swansea Public Library, not too far from where Cole lived as a child, which would be a perfect site for such an historic marker.

HISTORY

Cross & Crescent DECEMBER 200610www.crossandcrescent.com

FEATURE

C-SPAN’s Top ExecRobert Kennedy attributes his successful career in telecommunications to his mentor and the fraternity. By Chris Barrick (Butler 2004)

RobeRt Kennedy and JacK FRazee worked together for many years at Centel Corporation,a phone company formerly based in Chicago, Illinois.

But it wasn’t until late in Kennedy’s (Illinois 1976) tenure that the two men discovered they were both members of Lambda Chi Alpha, even though they now realize the bond had been there all along.

“The first thing I said when I found out Rob was a ‘Chop is, ‘I knew there was a reason I liked you,’” says Frazee, former Centel CEO. “Obviously, it was a pleasant surprise for both of us.”

Meeting His MentorKennedy grew up in Springfield, Illinois, and fondly remembers going to University of Illinois football games. When he decided to major in engineering, it only made sense to attend Illinois.

“What can I say, there was always a little orange and blue in me,” he says.

As graduation loomed, Kennedy realized he was no longer interested in engineering, so he took a business internship and soon switched his focus to finance.

After graduation, he was accepted into the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

During summer breaks, Kennedy interned for Centel, which was expanding into new areas and building cable systems.

At Centel, Kennedy first met Frazee (Randolph-Macon 1966), who would be very influential in Kennedy’s life for a number of years. Frazee was serving as the head of corporate development.

“I can honestly say that I would not be where I am today if it weren’t for Jack Frazee,” Kennedy says.

Following graduation from Chicago, Kennedy interviewed for a number of jobs including one under Frazee. Eventually, Kennedy decided to join another company until Frazee made a personal phone call.

“I remember Jack saying, ‘Boy, what are you doing going to work for that other company? We are doing exciting things. We are going to buy cable systems,’” Kennedy remembers. “I couldn’t tell him no.”

Rising Star at CentelKennedy remembers working for Frazee as being a great learning experience. At a young age, Frazee gave him a lot of responsibilities. Within a year, Kennedy was managing cable television systems in the Chicago, Illinois, suburbs.

“Jack would have little talks with me, ‘There is nothing you are going to do that is going to sink the company, so don’t be nervous. Go out learn the business,’” Kennedy recalls.

Frazee soon became Centel’s CEO and also became involved with C-SPAN. Created in 1979, C-SPAN was a cooperative of the cable companies with a board of directors that consisted of the cable company CEOs.

From 1984 to 1985, Frazee served as the chairman of the C-SPAN board and he quickly fell in love with its mission.

“I found it to be one of the most influential services. It brought government to the American people,” says Frazee.

Cable TV was growing quickly, but capital was a scarce commodity and people were stingy about paying for programming. C-SPAN, like a lot of channels, was having a tough time and its finances weren’t healthy. The board decided it needed a fundamental five-year plan.

“As soon as all this was decided, I knew who I was going to lend to do it,” says Frazee. “Rob is an extraordinary talent in so many regards. He was a natural.”

Kennedy went off to Washington D.C. and met with the C-SPAN staff to develop a five-year plan. Frazee took Kennedy’s plan to the board of directors and said this is how we will grow C-SPAN.

Kennedy worked a few more years with Centel before Brian Lamb, CEO of C-SPAN, came calling.

Cross & Crescent DECEMBER 200611www.crossandcrescent.com

FEATURE

“Like so many people who brushed against C-SPAN, Rob became infected with it and loved it,” remembers Frazee. “It was a perfect fit.”

C-SPAN’s InfluenceThe basis of C-SPAN is to show things as they are, unedited and without commentary, so it can be watched as if someone were there.

“We are the primary source for national public affairs programming,” explains Kennedy.

Early on in its history the channel moved beyond the mandate of the U.S. Congress and added Congressional Hearings, call-in programs, and other public affairs programs.

In 1986, the U.S. Senate decided to also go on television, spawning C-SPAN 2. Now, both the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives could be on TV, gavel to gavel.

The business portion of C-SPAN is supported by the cable companies as a public service. C-SPAN doesn’t have advertising or corporate underwriting, so the cable industry instead pays licensing fees.

“We were doing very well until the early ‘90s when Congress passed the 1992 Cable Act, which contained provisions that gave broadcasters preferential treatment over cable systems,” Kennedy explains. “Our services were cut back, and in some cases dropped.”

The company quickly got back on track, but Kennedy admits it is difficult to quantify the network’s impact. He is certain, though, that C-SPAN has had a major impact on politicians.

“Congress knows they have cameras in the room, which may cause them to behave differently than if cameras weren’t in the room,” says Kennedy. “Also, members of Congress have the opportunity to reach out to the people. You see that when they give speeches from the floor of the House and Senate.”

Based on our demographic surveys, about 50 million Americans watch C-SPAN on a regular basis, or about one in 10 adults. Another three in 10 watch it occasionally.

In 1995, Kennedy was named C-SPAN’s executive vice president and co-chief operating officer. He and counterpart Susan Swain were given the same title and together they manage the day-to-day operations.

“It is unique to have co-COOs, but both of us have individual focuses while major decisions are made together.” says Kennedy. “Susan’s focus is programming operations and communications. My focus is business, finance, technology, and licensing.”

On December 4, 2006, Kennedy and Swain were promoted to co-presidents. Frazee, still a director on C-SPAN’s board, couldn’t be more proud.

Fraternity Molds the ManKennedy had a unique rush experience. The University of Illinois allowed high school seniors to rush, so as a college freshman, Kennedy could move directly into the house. He knew he was going to join a fraternity, but the question was which one.

“I come from a Greek family,” Kennedy explains. “My uncle was an ATO, mom Gamma Phi, and my aunt was a Pi Phi. For me to rush was just natural.”

During rush he was required to narrow his choice of houses to 12. Lambda Chi sent material to Kennedy. He liked what he saw, so they made the cut. As soon as he walked in, he immediately knew it was the right place.

He quickly got involved with the Fraternity serving as scholarship chairman as a sophomore. He went on to serve in roles as ritualist and alumni chairman. Of the offices he held, ritualist was the most memorable.

“Maybe I am interested in history or symbolism or mysticism, but I believe the ritual is a great message that lives with all of us forever,” says Kennedy. “It is always the thing I look back to on the Fraternity. It is the bond that ties us all together as Lambda Chis.”

Kennedy takes pride in his Lambda Chi membership and believes it helped shape who he is today. He credits this to receiving responsibility at a rather early age and building confidence through social interaction in working with brothers to make the chapter a better place.

“You have a set of skills that put you in a very good place going forward,” says Kennedy, “Most Greeks I talk to even today have a developmental story about running an event or holding an office.

“You may not notice it right away, but looking back 25 years you start to make these connections. Fraternity gave me confidence and got me an internship. I used those skills talking to older people and got offered my first job. And now I am president of C-SPAN.

Photo Credits in Order of Apperance © Courtesy C-SPAN. All Rights Reserved. © Courtesy C-SPAN. All Rights Reserved. © Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. All Rights Reserved.


FEATURE

USAF Major General RetiresOfficially retired, Maj. Gen. Larry L. Twitchell most recently served as the U.S. Defense Department Representative to Saudi Arabia. By Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)

IN oCToBeR 2003, Larry Twitchell (Michigan 1965) purchased what he thought at the time to be his retirement gift and 60th birthday present — a 2004 Jaguar Vanden Plas.

“I had just picked it up the day I got the phone call,” he says. “I didn’t have 30 miles on the darn thing.”

The phone call was a request from his boss to defer his military retirement and submit his name for consideration to become the senior military leader and U.S. Department of Defense representative in Saudi Arabia.

After asking for a few days to consider his options, Twitchell decided “oh what the heck.” His shiny new Jaguar would just have to sit in torage for a few more years.

He knew Saudi Arabia was a very interesting and very important place to serve his country for one last time, especially considering it was just two years after 9/11.

Born to Go BlueTwitchell was raised about 25 miles from the University of Michigan in a little town called Romulus, Michigan.

Romulus is located about two miles north of the Detroit Metropolitan Airport, which Twitchell attributes to his early love for flying.

He earned an academic scholarship to Michigan and began there in 1961 with the immediate goal of getting a degree so he could fly airplanes.

“Quite frankly I was just going to school to get a degree because I wanted to go fly airplanes,” he says. “And to do that in the military, you had to have a degree.”

After three years of college, Twitchell learned that the Michigan National Guard would let him enter pilot training school with only 60 college credits. He had already earned 90.

So not surprisingly, he jumped at the chance.

“I’ll go to pilot training and get finished with school when I get back, which I did 28 years later,” Twitchell says chuckling.

He attended pilot training at Webb Air Force Base, Texas, and received his wings in July 1967.

True BrotherhoodDuring his freshman year at Michigan, Twitchell and another buddy from his dormitory decided to check out fraternity rush. After meeting the members of the Lambda Chi house, he immediately knew it was where he wanted to be.

“I loved it,” he says. “I was completely irresponsible. I couldn’t understand why all those guys were studying so hard. They were a lot smarter than I was. I enjoyed the party life, the camaraderie, the brotherhood.”

That importance of true brotherhood was an invaluable experience that Twitchell took with him into the military. Michigan and Lambda Chi also taught him the importance of learning from his mistakes and making academics a top priority.

“I learned through failure that studying is as important as playing and building relationships,” he says. “That stuck with me the rest of my life — study hard, work hard, and then play hard.”

Twitchell worked very hard in pilot training school and finished near the top of his class in academics, flying, and officership.

Adventures in Saudi ArabiaWhen asked what it is like serving as a major general in Saudi Arabia, Twitchell describes a scene from the 1970 movie Patton.

In the movie, Karl Malden turns to George C. Scott who plays Patton and says, “We can’t be just generals any more. We’ve got to be diplomats and all that other stuff.” Patton replies, “Thank god I won’t live to see it.”


FEATURE

In addition to being a combat general, “Senior military leaders have to be diplomats as well as anything else,” he says.

When he arrived in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2003, militant insurgents set off multiple bombs and the U.S. government ordered all dependents and non-critical personnel to leave the country.

This left Twitchell and the military as the go-between with the Saudi Arabian Royal Family.

Twitchell credits his experience around more senior generals with helping him learn how to play the important role of a Middle East diplomat. Ironically, he says that much of it can be traced back to his experiences as a teenager when he entered Michigan.

“It goes back to being a teenager at Michigan when I was a big mouth know it all,” he says. “I learned an important lesson (early on) — you can learn a lot by keeping your mouth shut and listen and learn from those around you.”

At the end of his successful two-year extension in Saudi Arabia, Twitchell was asked both personally and formally by the Saudi Arabian Royal Family if he would stay for a third year.

Although he was not eager to stay for a third year, his boss, Gen. John Abizaid, approved the extension but told Twitchell he would need a special waiver approved by Secretary of the Air Force because he now exceeded the mandatory retirement age of 62.

He got the waiver was approved by the Secretary of the Air Force, so he stayed another year.

Retirement CeremonyIn November 2006, an official retirement ceremony was held for Twitchell at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.

In attendance were several of Twitchell’s fraternity brothers, including Bill Selmeier (1963), his Big Brother Frank Lude (1964), Bob Tobias (1965) and Ted Winkel (1966).

In addition to the fraternity brothers, 19 of the 44 men who graduated with Twitchell from his pilot training class also attended the ceremony.

During the ceremony, U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. T. Michael Moseley remarked that Twitchell was both a personal friend and the “gold standard by which command officers are measured.”

Reflecting back on his career and his pilot training, Twitchell says: “It all goes back to if you’re going to do anything, do it well. Always strive for perfection. A fighter pilot is never perfect no matter how good he is, but always strives for perfection.”

At age 63, Twitchell says he is now more than ready to retire. He has had a tremendous 41-year military career as both an active and reserve officer. In addition, he also spent 28 of those years and retired as vice president of flight operations from a commercial airline.

“I’ve always said the old guys gotta get out and retire so that the young guys can get a chance to do some great things, too,” he says.

Life on the GroundIn addition to getting the Jaguar out of storage, Twitchell says he is also looking forward to doing a lot of traveling.

“In my 41-year career with the military, I’ve only taken one vacation with the family,” he says. “I’d like to travel around the country and see little things like the Grand Canyon. I’ve flown through and down into it, but have never seen it from the ground.”

He also plans to spend more time visiting Michigan and the members of the Lambda Chi chapter.

“I encourage guys who are interested in the military to look at it,” he says. “You can continue with the building of relationships with guys who have many of the same interests and qualities.”

Photo Credits in Order of Apperance © Courtesy United States Air Force. All Rights Reserved. © Larry Twitchell. All Rights Reserved. © Larry Twitchell. All Rights Reserved. © George Spasyk. All Rights Reserved.


FEATURE

WHEN JOHN LENNON COMPOSED “Imagine” in 1971, little did Kenny Goss (North Texas 1979) know that 25 years later, Lennon’s famous piano would serve as the centerpiece for a photography exhibition in his art gallery celebrating world peace.

“Imagine” became Lennon’s most famous post-Beatles song, which took on a whole new meaning following is murder in December 1980.

In 2000, the famous piano was bought at an auction by superstar musician George Michael for $2.1 million. Considered one of the most expensive pieces of pop memorabilia, the piano has neverbeen out of the United Kingdom until this exhibit at the Goss Gallery in Dallas, Texas.

In addition to Lennon’s piano, the special exhibit also features the work of three photographers — Don McCullin, Gabriele Basilico, and Tomas Munita — who have all photographed different war zones.

Goss conceived the show to underline his belief in delivering a theme of world peace to the people who will see the art, using the notoriety of the piano to draw attention to that message.

“It’s about peace and what war can do to a country,” Goss explains.

The images were carefully selected for the “Imagine” show to match the emotions of the art with the overriding theme of peace.

Business Meets ArtAfter spending 20 years as the director of the National Spirit on the West Coast, Goss decided he wanted to create a gallery that leveragedhis extensive years of traveling and his appreciation for contemporary art.

“It’s definitely a combination of business and art,” he says. “I had a crash course in art, and had the opportunity to travel the world and study art.”

A Dallas, Texas, native with homes in both Dallas and London, Goss carefully considered what type of gallery would benefit Dallas.

“They needed a great contemporary art gallery,” he says. “We’ve brought some amazing artists to Dallas — artists who would never have even dreamed of going to Dallas.”

Goss says the gallery was created to reflect the feel and program of the leading galleries of London, Paris, and New York; with exhibitions of contemporary painting and photography.

With more than 3,200 sq. ft., the gallery reflects a modernism to best show the artist’s work. His personal office is designed as an antithesis to the clean lines of the gallery space, and embodies the feel of an art collector’s personal living room.

Since opening his new gallery in May 2005, Goss has received international media acclaim.

“With the gallery, I came at it from almost an entrepreneurial perspective,” he says.

The gallery has a lot of Dallas clients, but there are a lot of people who collect internationally from them, too.

“We fortunately have been one of the first galleries in Dallas that has brought major collectors from all over the world into Dallas,” Goss says.

The gallery has had several notable exhibitions featuring world-renowned artists including: James Nares, Richmond Burton, Jean-Pierre Khazem, and David LaChapelle.

During the opening, LaChapelle was the featured artist. Andy Warhol gave him his first professional job shooting for Interview magazine. He also has done work for Italian Vogue, Vanity Fair, Rolling Stone, i-D, Vibe, The Face, British GQ, and many others, in addition to other advertising campaigns and album covers for artists like Macy Gray, Moby, No Doubt, Whitney Houston, Lil’ Kim, Elton John, and Madonna.

International Art DealerSince opening his gallery in May 2005, Kenny Goss has received international media acclaim. By Tad Lichtenauer (Butler 1987)


FEATURE

“We opened with him because he is a good friend,” says Goss. “He’s also the most famous, contemporary photographer in the world. He was a great person to open with.”

Since Goss knew he did not have a formal art background, he made sure he hired the best staff possible.

Filippo Tattoni-Marcozzi, the internationally-recognized art adviser who has served as manager of London’s respected Hamiltons Gallery, serves as the gallery’s director and curator.

“It’s going amazingly well,” Goss says of the first year. “We’re making money, which is odd for a new gallery.”

Best DecisionGoss was raised in Ft. Worth, Texas, and decided to attend the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas.

In addition to becoming the head cheerleader at North Texas, he also discovered and chose Lambda Chi Alpha.

“It was some of the best years of my life,” he says. “I don’t know thatI’d still have the sense of perspective on life (without Lambda Chi),” he says. “The sense of bravery, lack of fear, the ambition...all these things I attribute to the fraternity.”

Goss’ younger brother, Tim Goss (North Texas 1981), also attended North Texas and joined Lambda Chi Alpha. He served as chapter vice president and treasurer. Close in age, they spent two years together in the Fraternity.

At one point, all of the male cheerleaders were Lambda Chis, Goss says. The chapter also was the top fraternity on campus with a brand new chapter house and about 120 members.

“The best thing the fraternity did for me was to create a real sense of family,” Goss says. “I met some of my best mates of all time, guys who I still hang out with every day. I still call them if I have problemsor questions.”

London CallingGoss says art is always an educational learning experience and that it can have such a positive influence, no matter whether it’s art, music, acting, or however you define art.

“One of the things I feel very fortunate to do in Dallas is to bring a very liberal sense of art to Dallas that maybe a less liberal person wouldn’t be able to do,” he says.

“I like being able to push the envelope a little bit. I think Dallas is much more liberal than people think.”

With the success of the gallery in Dallas, Texas, Goss says he hopes to open another gallery in London.

“We’ll probably open another gallery in London very soon becauseof the success in Dallas.”

“En “En Plein Air” Artist C.W. Mundy

When artist C.W. Mundy (Ball State 1969) picks up his brush, he’s not focused on the end product; he’s looking forward to the journey.

Mundy’s work has received numerous awards, including Best of Show from the Hoosier Salon, an Indiana juried art exhibit that awards thousands of dollars in prizes to artists each year.

“The bulk of my career has been what they call ‘en Plein Air.” says Mundy. “This is a French term meaning ‘in the outdoors, in the open air, in plain air.’” Mundy travels abroad several times a year to capture european landscapes.

Mundy was a sports illustrator for about 30 years before he jumped into fine art in 1991. He played basketball for his first few years at Ball State, but always knew he wanted to become an artist.

While Mundy is best known for his impressionistic landscape paintings, he’s overflowing with talent. He plays banjo in a bluegrass band, is skilled with a camera, and also paints portraits.

“If I can’t have a subject sit for four or five settings,” says Mundy, “I’ll paint from a photograph — but I do so (with the photograph and canvas) upside down.”

Using a grid on both the photograph and his canvas, “I’ll paint with the photograph upside down because it is so much more creative and so much more fun,” he says.

“While the grid helps me execute the drawing,” says Mundy, “painting upside down helps me concentrate instead on making it a poetic piece.”

“By focusing less on the literal content, I leave some mystery in my paintings by being more aloof and impressionistic.”

Mundy’s work is displayed in the Indiana State Museum, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, and Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.

Photo Credits in Order of Apperance © Courtesy Goss Gallery. All Rights Reserved. © Courtesy Goss Gallery. All Rights Reserved. © Courtesy Goss Gallery. All Rights Reserved.

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