BETA-R HO BULLETIN Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity
California State University, Northridge
Volume 46, Issue 2
Summer/Fall 2018
REKINDLING THE FIRE
The Associate Member Class of Fall, 2018. From left: Jacob Akopnik, Alejandro Gaviria, Alexander Estrella, Royce Miller, Alex Martin, Andrew Vo, Isaac Yang, Tom Clemen Rafanan, Julian Ibarra, Ronald Medrano and Damian Tovar. Not shown: David Tapia. In the background: CSUN as seen from near the top of Reseda Boulevard looking south on Sept. 28. Back cover: the Matador Statue, Matador Square, CSUN’s 60th Anniversary Celebration, Oct. 13. (Photos: Rick Childs)
On the cover: High Alpha Alex Dinsmore and High Delta Eddy Moya display the chapter’s rush cards for the fall semester. Back cover: Matador Statue, Oct. 13. (Photo by Rick Childs)
Features Fall Associate Member Installation
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General Assembly 57: Jacksonville
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Three Nights with the Chapter: Sept. 2, 30 & Dec. 2
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CSUN’s 60th Anniversary Celebration
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Intramural Volleyball Playoffs
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The Class of Fall, 2018
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Chapter Chronicles: Summer & Fall
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Housing Corporation Annual Meeting
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Alumni Chronicles: Summer & Fall
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Omega: Remembering Walt Bollinger
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Special thanks. Some of the content for this edition of the Beta-Rho Bulletin would not have been possible without the assistance and cooperation of the following brothers, IHQ staff, friends and family: Alejandro Gaviria, Alex Dinsmore, Wade Hawthorne, Brandon Serna, Angelo Samson, Will Medina, Matt Ahmadi, Myke Davis, Dustin Mirochnick, Taylor Grayson, Rose Merida, Amanda Pearson, Roger Bollinger and Megan Childs. 2
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Volume 46, Issue 2 Version 1.9 Editor, reporter, designer & photographer: Rick Childs The Beta-Rho Bulletin is the official publication of BetaRho Zeta of Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity at California State University, Northridge. This alumni publication is not funded by the housing corporation. It is published electronically and hard copy printing expenses are supported by either alumni donations or the editor. Article ideas, directory revisions, weddings, anniversaries, births and career info should be snail mailed, e-mailed or sent via Facebook or texts to the editor. His mailing address is 38665 11th Street East, Apt. 26, Palmdale, CA; 93550-2858. Email: eaglerick55@gmail.com. Made on a 2010 Mac Mini with iWork Pages ’09 v. 4.1. Originally published on Aug. 1, 2019. Production dates: Nov. 22 - July 31, 2019. Last edit: Aug. 1, 2019. Editor’s phone number: (661) 441-5631.
Fall AM Installation
Fall 2018 Housing Corporation Board of Directors: President Vice President Director Director Director
Spencer Schmerling Howard Brightman Rick Childs Scott Press Darren Arrieta
Fall 2018 High Zeta: High High High High High High High High High
Alpha Beta Gamma Delta Epsilon Iota Kappa Phi Rho
High Sigma High Tau High Theta
Alex Dinsmore Collin Chan Rocael Cardona Eddy Moya J.C. Martinez Brandon Serna Jacob Barron Angelo Samson J.C. Martinez Alejandro Gaviria Wade Hawthorne Dre Ghotra Fernando Ortiz
On the Web: Headquarters & the Cross & Crescent Back Issues Facebook Instagram Twitter
Lambdachi.org Issuu.com/beta-rho_83 CSUN Lambda Chi Alpha General Bulletin Board Lambda Chi Alpha, BP Alumni @CSUNLambdaChiAlpha #CSUNLambdaChi
Friends and family gathered on Sept. 30 on campus in Sierra Hall 286 for Beta-Rho’s Associate Member Installation. The ceremony kicked off at 6:07 p.m. as High Zeta officers Eddy Moya, Collin Chan, Alex Dinsmore, Angelo Samson and Jacob Barron (shown in the top photo from left) provided instructions to the eleven prospective brothers present. (David Tapia was unable to attend.) Afterwards, the brothers, associate members and the rest of the entourage gathered at the steps of the southeast entrance for pictures. The chapter meeting followed at just after 7 p.m. (page 8).
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Sawgrass Morriott Golf Resort & Spa, Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
General Assembly 57 High Delta Eddy Moya and High Epsilon Brandon Serna represented Beta-Rho Zeta during the 57th General Assembly and Stead Leadership Seminar at the Sawgrass Marriott Golf Resort & Spa in Ponte Vedra Beach near Jacksonville, Fla. on Aug. 2-5. After flying in to Jacksonville and hitching a shuttle ride to the hotel, checking in at the Sawgrass Marriott became an ordeal for Beta-Rho’s delegation. According to Brother Serna, “we got the rooms kinda late because they had to call us to make sure that our rooms were there. It was about an hour process.” As the chapter’s official delegate and Student Advisory Committee (SAC) representative, Brother Moya spent most of his stay in hotel conference rooms attending legislative sessions. One of the key items on the agenda had been held over from GA 56: whether or not to ban alcohol consumption at chapter houses. “They were trying to make every house a dry house,” Brother Moya said. The SAC struck a compromise on the issue. As described by General Counsel Lynn Chipperfield in the Fall 2018 Cross & Crescent, “the Assembly adopted a bill with respect to alcoholfree housing. It provides that effective Sept. 1, 2019, all chapter houses must be free of hard alcohol (40 proof or higher), except in the quarters of brothers of legal drinking age for personal consumption or when hard alcohol is served by third party vendors. The Office of Administration is charged to develop an alcohol education program to be administered during associate membership, a program that collegiate brothers must also complete. The new law will expire at the conclusion of the 2020 General Assembly, subject to extension by that Assembly.” An aspect of the initiation’s staging—which is not being revealed here for privacy reasons—that has potentially put chapters at risk of closure by universities also featured prominently on Brother Serna’s committee docket.
“They were discussing whether they should continue it or ban it,” Brother Moya said. At least one chapter has experienced the painful reality of being faced with possible closure due to its ritual. Jason Cho, High Pi of the Omicron chapter at Cornell University, informed the editor that the university had suspended their operations and spring 2019 recruitment after someone had filed a complaint about its ritual with the administration. Brother Cho wrote on Facebook that after their fall 2018 initiation, his chapter had been placed “on ‘interim’ suspension on grounds which both the undergraduate leadership and the alumni control board find extremely dubious, relating in part to the university considering part of the initiation ritual to be hazing. Mind you, we had an official representative of the General Fraternity—a Master Steward and former Grand High Zeta member—present at our initiation.” Their chapter’s suspension remained unresolved as of publication time. As a potential hazing issue, Brother Serna commented, “I can understand some chapters raising concerns over [certain aspects of the ritual] because it’s something that, if mentioned casually to somebody else, it could be taken the wrong way.” Brother Chipperfield reported that the GA “addressed two bills dealing with our Initiation Ritual. In one, the Assembly adopted a change in the process by which a chapter performs the Initiation Ritual upon installation or colonization. In the second, the Assembly declined to adopt a bill that would have effected certain changes in the staging instructions of the Initiation Ritual.” Both Brothers Moya and Serna attended the ritual exemplification, and as tradition had it, everyone needed to demonstrate the handshake before entering since a number of associate members were attending the GA. Hitting closer to home, Brother Moya’s committee deliberated for two days on the UCLA chapter’s suspension. 4
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GA 57 highlights: Brandon Serna (second from left) and Eddy Moya to his right get their close-ups with two unidentified brothers before the PG&G Banquet. Jeff Stuerman (below) recives a standing ovation as Lambda Chi Alpha’s newly elected Grand High Alpha. (Photos courtesy of Brandon Serna and Taylor Grayson/Lambda Chi Alpha International Fraternity)
“They were on probation,” Brother Moya said. “And it didn’t end until April of 2019. UCLA was proposing to end their probation on Nov. 4th, which is a full year after they’d been on probation. But a lot of people were against it and wanted to extend it, and some agreed with UCLA. For the final discussion, they did reduce the time to January [2019]. HQ said they could start having social mixers starting in October, but it has to be dry. In January they can start having social events again with alcohol.” Anyone not attending the SAC sessions were subdivided into groups to attend the various workshops. The two he retained the most information from were the Administration and Growth and Retention sessions. “I was in Gray Group D,” Brother Serna noted. “They made us do a lot of icebreakers in the beginning. After that it was like how homeroom works. You sit with the same people, but when you’re put in the next class it’s always different. “In the Administration workshop, it was more like mainly the idea of smart goals. Smart goals is basically making sure that a set goal is achievable and reasonable with a set amount of time. “Another great thing I learned there was with Growth and Retention. They broke it down through [chapter] Core Report. Core Report basically let us know that, out of all the different components of the chapter, [what] are our two weakest [areas] that we should [concentrate on improving] over the next semester? I met this guy—I think he is the High Pi from New Hampshire—he was amazing. The way he communicates to others, it makes you believe in the whole chapter. He was a vice president for a Fortune 500 company. I also got his PowerPoint [which he was able to copy onto Brother Moya’s laptop], which is really useful.” “I conducted a group thing on a Saturday after New Student Orientation was over,” Brother Moya added. “We went straight to my apartment, and then I gave that seminar saying what we need, like our want wish list, and what is achievable. We did it before Rush Week.” BETA-RHO ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY
Before the Purple, Green & Gold Banquet on the last night, the SAC voted on a new Grand High Zeta. “We also voted on who’s going to be the next [Grand] High Alpha,” Brother Moya said. “It was one person for each position. I believe a majority of them were already a part of the Grand High Zeta. Everyone who was nominated was voted to become a Grand High Zeta member.” Former Grand High Pi Jeff Stuerman was elected Grand High Alpha for a 4-year term. Brother Stuerman succeeded Fletcher McElreath. He is an alumnus of the Culver-Stockton chapter. In a C&C article by Taylor Grayson, Educational Foundation CEO Mark Bauer said, “Jeff Stuerman has been in tune with our brotherhood since his early days… he has tremendous leadership skills, honed through significant board leadership in higher education, church and community organizations, and Lambda Chi Alpha.” “I’m looking forward to working with Jeff Stuerman,” Lambda Chi Alpha CEO Bill Farkas said. “He is an incredible brother and Lambda Chi Alpha will reap huge benefits from his leadership.” A financial services professional for more than 30 years, Brother Stuerman retired in 2014 as chairman, president and CEO of Edward Jones Trust Company. Additionally, he served as the president and CEO of the TIAA-CREF Trust Company. During their stay both Brothers Moya and Serna met and had dinner with UCLA alumnus and Beta-Rho’s housing corporation vice president, Howard Brightman. Both of Beta-Rho’s reps said they would go to another GA or Stead Leadership Seminar if given the opportunity. “Yeah, I’m up for [another GA],” Brother Moya said. “I’d like to learn more about the fraternity.” “It was definitely not all work,” Brother Serna added. “After hours, when we were done with everything, there were a lot of brothers who just went out by the pool and went swimming.” 5
Charter Day Chapter Meeting: Sept. 2 Call to Order: 6:50 p.m. (6:30 for exec meeting), Sierra Hall 102, 19 in attendance. Formal. High Gamma Rocael Cardona (photo #9) called the roll and took minutes. Present: Eric Choi, Cisco Silva, Jacob Barron, himself, Kevin Catalan, Alex Dinsmore, Wade Hawthorne, Edward Lopez, Angelo Samson, Tyler Struck, Collin Chan, Eddy Moya, Brandon Serna, Robert Aceves, Luis Alvarez, J.C. Martinez. Alumni: Kevin Mojaradi, Frankie Castanan, Rick Childs.
But they are going to need your help [to put them on campus].” He wants the chapter to pitch in to buy a tarp for tabling. It already has a frame for it. Brothers were encouraged to find and invite at least one PNM each to events. High Rho Report (J.C. Martinez, photo #5): He wants to plan some alumni events which he hopes will introduce the incoming associate members to our alumni. The main event he would like reinstated would be the long-delayed rematch of the alumni-active softball game.
Vice President Collin Chan (photos #1 & 9) ran tonight’s meeting. President Alex Dinsmore watched and commented from a MacBook laptop video live feed (photo #6).
High Gamma Report (Rocael Cardona): Before he was Gamma he didn’t know that we had [an events] calendar. This semester he wants “to take everything that involves Lambda Chi, sorority events, fundraisers, IM games—whether it be ours or different houses—everything that’s related to Greek life that’s relevant to us, it’s going to be on the calendar.”
High Beta Report (Collin Chan): General discussion on the importance of chapter communication. High Kappa Report (Jacob Barron, photo #9): Brother Barron encouraged everyone to support the chapter’s recruitment efforts. “I don’t really have a report. Just listen to Eddy. Do what he tells you.” Brothers break out in spontaneous finger snapping.
High Pi Report (Kevin Mojaradi, photo #6): “I’m gonna add to what Collin said: communication is essential, especially this semester. This is a huge semester for us. I don’t want to write a message on GroupMe and have two people respond.... Respond to emails. Respond to texts.” This year’s Neville Advisors College is being combined with the High Alpha Summit. “I’m here for you if you need anything. Let’s make this semester wonderful. I am inviting alums to every single meeting. So you guys have to be on your best behavior because we have guests. Happy birthday to you [Collin], by the way.”
High Phi Report (Angelo Samson, photo #8): He made some brief comments about programs he would like to introduce for the incoming AMs that would complement the pre-ritual events. (More finger snapping.) Later in the meeting he gave the Intramurals report. “I’m going to be making the GroupMe’s for each sport. It would be really cool to get some practice in. Also, since I’m coaching AOPi for volleyball, I’m gonna have practices with them. Alex [Dinsmore], you probably want to host all the softball practices.” “Yikes, that’s next semester, dude,” Alex replied. “We need to win football.”
High Iota Report (Brandon Serna, photo #7): “As you know, we are on social probation. So we aren’t having any parties with any sororities or mixers. It does not mean that safety is not a key in maintaining this fraternity.... Make sure you’re accountable to them as well as yourself. These letters are not a joke. These represent us, our morals, just make sure you keep that to heart.” Brother Dinsmore: “First of all, our suspension doesn’t end this semester, it ends next semester. Also, we can go to any event...” “But we can’t initiate anything,” Brother Mojaradi added. Any event that constitutes five or more brothers is considered an official function and must be avoided until the suspension is lifted.
High Sigma Report (Wade Hawthorne, photo #2): “So, no more study hours system. Woo! No clocking in and out. The study room will still be reserved so you can go and use it. We’re going to be following the IFC academic plan for this semester, which means every member is going to be required to go to the professor’s office hours at least once a week for at least an hour. If you’re on probation or suspension, you’ve gotta put in at least two hours a week. And if you receive a grade of ‘C’ or below, you have to go three hours a week. Also, if you have a paper or a research essay assigned, every member is required to go to the LRC and bring the pink slip that the tutor gives you back to the next meeting to show that you actually went. And then lastly, there’s going to be three Sigma presentations about different topics this semester. Members in good standing, it’s highly recommended that you go because it’s really good information. And if you’re in bad standing, it is required for you to go. And if you don’t go, I’m not going to be lenient this semester. I will tell Exec that you’re not showing up.”
Special Presentation: Rose Merida of the Delta Zeta Sorority (photo #9) dropped by with gifts and received a warm welcome. “Happy Sunday,” she said. “Welcome to the first week of school. I wanted to come for two reasons. One, happy birthday [Collin].” She led the chapter singing Happy Birthday. First she gave a gift bag to Brother Chan whose 20th birthday coincided with the chapter meeting [and Beta-Rho’s 46th anniversary of its original chartering]. And second, “I want to wish you the best recruitment ever. So I’m gonna let some of you guys open this.” Then, Brothers Chan, Cardona and Barron opened bags that revealed a painted fraternity letter in each one and displayed them to the audience.
High Delta Report (Eddy Moya, photo #3): “I really need everyone there [at rush] for tabling” for PNM (prospective new members). It’s on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for Meet the Clubs between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 1. “This Tuesday I’m tabling in front of the Matador Statue, and next Thursday I will be in front of the SRC.” Then he went around the room to ask each brother what days and times they could work at the table. Rush shirts: they cost $18.10. “Everyone is going to pay a little extra for the AM shirts. For us it’s long sleeve and the AMs it’s short sleeve. I ordered stickers for our chapter. I’ll put it on the GroupMe. Angelo and Edward are responsible for the billboards.
Executive Committee (Brother Mojaradi): He discussed reasons why brothers go inactive. Brother of the Week: Kevin Catalan (photo #10) nominated Eddy Moya and spoke on his behalf. As the High Delta, “he’s been keeping it up over the summer,” Brother Catalan said. “So give him a round of applause.” Brother Moya went on to win. Adjourn: 8:56 p.m. 6
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AM Installation Chapter Meeting: Sept. 30 Call to Order: 6:42 p.m. (6:07 for AM Installation), Sierra Hall 286, 29 in attendance. Formal. High Gamma Rocael Cardona (photos #4 & 9) called the roll and took minutes. Present: Jacob Barron, himself, Collin Chan, Cisco Silva, Tino Diaz-Ordaz, Alex Dinsmore, Dre Ghotra, Brandon Serna, Wade Hawthorne, Edward Lopez, J.C. Martinez, Eddy Moya, Fernando Ortiz, Angelo Samson, Tyler Struck, Brandon Serna, Jay Villa, Tom Clemen Rafanan, Alejandro Gaviria, Alex Martin, Andrew Vo, Alexander Estrella, Royce Miller, Damian Tovar, Jacob Akopnik, Isaac Yang, Ronnie Medrano, Julian Ibarra. Alumni: Rick Childs.
High Kappa Report (Jacob Barron, photo #2): “I’m the fraternity education chair. I’m in charge of teaching all our associate members all the different facts and other information about Lambda Chi. I will be leading you on your journey this semester along with Angelo, who is the Phi.”
Guest Appearance #1: Two Delta Zeta Sorority sisters appeared– Beverly the fundraising chair and Rose who was assisting her. They wanted to thank the chapter for supporting their recent fundraiser. Their next fundraiser is Oct. 9 at Chipotle from 4-9 p.m. DZ’s philanthropy event is in three weeks. Also, congratulations to all the associate members.
High Sigma Report (Wade Hawthorne, photo #5): “I am also known as the academics chair. I want to make sure you focus on your grades. Jacob said the Sigma session will be from 6 to 7 every Sunday. Next week I’m going to be hosting a little presentation on email etiquette. It’s very important in college, especially if you need to contact professors or department chairs. Also, send you respective class schedules in your Group chats... Next week I’m going to do progress checks. If you can, get the Canvas app on your phone. You can just quickly show me your grades....”
High Phi Report (Angelo Samson, photo #3): “Welcome AMs. I’m glad you guys joined this awesome house.” He revealed that the first pre-initiation ceremony will be next week, and they are always scheduled after chapter meetings.
Guest Appearance #2: Four reps from Phi Mu Sorority– Jane, Nicole, junior relations chair; Sarah, the academics chair; and Abby. Three of them will be the chapter’s coaches for their sorority’s philanthropy, Sir Fidel, which is a soccer tournament at the Valley Soccer Center on Oct. 19. They presented the chapter with a double-sided plaque (photos 2 & 13).
High Theta Report (Fernando Ortiz, photo #6): “I’m the High Theta which is the philanthropy chair. [It’s] also the external VP. So I deal with Watermelon Bust in the spring and I do a few fundraisers in the fall. So the fundraiser dates I’ll have next week. Then I’ll create the flyers and everything.”
High Alpha Report (Alex Dinsmore, photo #4): He introduced alumnus Rick Childs (before the Delta Zeta and Phi Mu guest appearances) after the AMs received their copies of the Winter/ Spring 2018 Beta-Rho Bulletin to allow him to explain how he produces the publication and what it covers. He explained to the AMs that sororities visit the chapter meetings to promote their charities or fundraisers and [like DZ] they often bring gifts of food to show their hospitality [which the brothers always appreciate]. However, he is asking them to make donations to a food pantry instead of bringing us food this semester. He commented on inappropriate communications. “Let’s be smart on social media guys. If you’re doing anything you don’t want other people to see, don’t put it on social media... I don’t know if you’ve seen major leaguers who’ve had old tweets dug up from like five, six years ago. And don’t give your passwords to anyone other than yourself!” “ High Beta Report (Collin Chan, photo #1): “I’m the High Beta which is the internal [affairs] vice president. I’m in charge of putting on the brotherhood events, brotherhood retreats as well as the membership’s campus involvement. In terms of campus involvement, one system we have is the Zeta points system. A quick overview: the purpose of it is to promote chapter involvement within the fraternity as well as on campus in general. This system is a work in progress. Ways of earning points include holding a High Zeta elected position, attending sorority philanthropies and fundraisers, Intramurals, campus involvement like becoming part of another club on campus and [keeping up] your GPA.” Each member is expected to earn at least 150 points to qualify for special events like the formal.
High Delta Report (Eddy Moya, photo #7): As the recruitment chair “I am the one that recruited you all. So welcome to the family. Next semester is elections and I’m looking for a new recruitment chair. If anyone is interested, talk to me.” High Epsilon Report (J.C. Martinez, photo #8): “Welcome members of the fall class of 2018. I am this chapter’s social chair. I am also running the social media for this chapter, like our Instagram. If any of you have something you would like to post, like an internship or an award you got, let me know, send us pictures....” High Gamma Report (Rocael Cardona, photo #9): “I am the fraternity secretary. My responsibilities encompass writing down notes at chapter meetings and make sure the calendar is updated on a weekly basis.” High Tau Report (Dre Ghotra, photo #10): He’s the chapter’s treasurer. “From the business side, this is an organization that cannot survive without money.” He revealed the dues obligations. “I’m gonna hand out the payment plans... I’ll make a dues breakdown available to all the AMs. You can see exactly where the money is going. It goes to chapter operations, paying off headquarters, and any other debt we might have.” High Iota Report (Brandon Serna, photo #11): “Hi, I’m your High Iota. It stands for risk management chair. I’m the person making sure that all the events that are planned, all the recruitment activities are safe... I’m like a big babysitter making sure you are all okay.”
Guest Appearance #3: Four visitors from the Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority chapter arrived to promote their Mr. CSUN charity event on Nov. 6-8. Summer, Erica, Alyssa and Melody gave details on the event. They brought pizzas for the chapter and a special gift for Brother Samson. This year’s event theme is Hollywood. They asked the chapter to support their Intramurals volleyball team who play DZ on Oct. 3. And flag football is Friday, also against DZ. BETA-RHO ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY
High Rho Election Nominations: Damian Tovar, Alejandro Gaviria, Ronnie Medrano, Andrew Vo. [Brother Gaviria was elected High Rho at the following week’s meeting.] Adjourn: 7:57 p.m. 9
Chapter Elections & Special Tribute: Dec. 2 Call to Order: 7:05 p.m., Sierra Hall 280, 29 brothers in attendance. Roll Call: High Gamma Rocael Cardona called the roll: Alex Dinsmore, Jacob Barron, Angelo Samson, himself, Collin Chan, Dre Ghotra, Cisco Silva, Eddy Moya, Jay Villa, Wade Hawthorne, Tyler Struck, Fernando Ortiz, J.C. Martinez, Brandon Serna, Robert Aceves, Tino Diaz-Ordaz, Alejandro Gaviria, Jacob Akopnik, Tom Clemen Rafanan, Alexander Estrella, Julian Ibarra, Alexander Martin, Ronnie Medrano, Royce Miller, Andrew Vo, Isaac Yang, David Tapia. Alumni: Chris Martinez, Frankie Castanon, Rick Childs.
“…At this installation… as it is the obligation for anyone who has given their all to anybody, it is our obligation to give that back. If we demand people to carry out their lives living it in a certain way living out certain values, then it is our obligation to give them recognition when they exemplify these values. One of our open mottos is Vir Quisque Vir, which is Latin for Every Man A Man. This motto is to remind us that regardless of race, religion, ability, sexual orientation, sex, gender identity, country of origin or any other factors, we are all human beings and shall treat each other as such. While it is important to stay humble, it is also important that we not be satisfied with simply being a man. We should strive diligently to be good men. If we are content with simply existing, we will never be anything in life. And most importantly, we will never help anyone [to excel in theirs]. We gather tonight to celebrate someone who is not satisfied with simply being a man. And we are not celebrating a man. We are celebrating a woman. And she is strong, supportive, dedicated. She is one of us. And most importantly, she is the one thing that makes every single person in this room love her. She is Rose. For more than two years you have given us nothing but love and support. We welcomed you in your first semester in the Greek System, and in turn you have welcomed every person in this house into your life and given them unconditional love despite varying levels of familiarity. There is nothing we could have ever given you that you haven’t given to us. But dammit, we’re gonna try! It is my honor to bestow onto you the highest award for any non-brother. So on behalf of the Beta-Rho chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha, I am proud to announce our new Crescent Girl, Rose Emily Merida.”
Previous Week’s Election Results: High Alpha- Alex Dinsmore, High Beta- Kevin Catalan, High Kappa- Jacob Barron, High ThetaRonnie Medrano, High Phi- Rocael Cardona. Election Candidates & Results (opposite page): High Iota (1)David Tapia & Alejandro Gaviria: Alejandro won; High Delta (2)Collin Chan, Angelo Samson & Julian Ibarra: Angelo won; High Gamma (3)- Wade Hawthorne & Tyler Struck: Wade won; High Epsilon (4)- Isaac Yang & Brandon Serna: Brandon won; High Tau (5)- Dre Ghotra, Tyler Struck & Tino Diaz: Dre won; High Rho (6)Cisco Silva, Fernando Ortiz & Tino Diaz (not shown): Cisco won. Little Sister Tribute Ceremony for Rose Merida (below, 7, 8) of the CSUN chapter of Delta Zeta Sorority presented by High Alpha Alex Dinsmore. All brothers were asked to stand at the front of the room with Brother Dinsmore as he spoke. Rose Merida and a delegation of her sorority sisters listened and took photos with their phones.
Adjourned: 9:24 p.m.
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Amanda Pearson (8); all others by Rick Childs
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Megan Childs
Photos courtesy of Drew Singer, Mike & Amanda Press, Alfonso Stogden, Jessie Arciniega and Howard Sapper.
CSUN Turns 60 Thousands of alumni revisited the California State University, Northridge campus on Oct. 13 in observance of its 60th Anniversary Grand Reunion. Under the supervision of staff like Beta-Rho alumnus and CSUN’s Assistant Director of Student Involvement and Development Christopher Aston, the event took on a life of its own. Many campus organizations set up tables on the Sierra Quad to promote themselves, Beta-Rho among them. Undergraduate members like Fernando Ortiz, Brandon Serna and one of its newest members, Ronnie Medrano, worked as crowd control assistants. As music played from a stage at the base of the Oviatt Library Lawn stairs, a cherry picker lifted
Rick Childs & Christopher Aston
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a portrait photographer above the crowd and snapped several group panorama photos at 4 p.m. Among the assembly of alumni were a mariachi band, CSUN Jazz Band performers, dancers and the school’s official mascot, Matty Matador. Matty entertained the crowd onstage, posed with the editor and interacted with alumni and passersby as the afternoon progressed. A mini-reunion took place at the Associated Students booth where General Manager David Crandall greeted guests along with Kevin Mojaradi, the High Pi and AS marketing and public relations coordinator. Former student body presidents also dropped by. Among them were fellow Greek alumni Jeff Weiner (1985-86) and Susan Ettinger (1981-82).
Fall 2018 IMs Volleyball Team: front row– Carole Samson, Eddy Moya and Anna D’Arcy. 2nd row– Angelo Samson, Alex Dinsmore, Andrew Vo, Alex Martin, Damian Tovar and Bryan Cardona.
IMs Volleyball Playoffs Beta-Rho’s Intramural Volleyball Team worked its way up to the semi-finals in the Student Recreation Center (SRC) playoffs on Oct. 15. The seven squad members kept the games highly competitive, but in the end the Phi Delta Theta team ended their playoff hopes in the best of three game series. Two Alpha Omicron Pi alumnae, Carole Samson (Angelo Samson’s older sister) and Anna D’Arcy, volunteered as coaches for the volleyball team, according to Wade Hawthorne. High Alpha Alex Dinsmore commented that teams were also assembled for flag football and basketball. The chapter’s football squad made it into the semi-finals. Its championship hopes were dashed by the the Sigma Phi Epsilon team. Bryan Cardona served as the Intramurals team captain in the fall. 14
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The Class of Fall, 2018 Rush Chairman/High Delta: Eddy Moya
Fraternity Educator/High Kappa: Jacob Barron
Ritualist/High Phi: Angelo Samson
After the initiation on Nov. 30, the chapter held its post-initiation ceremony before the regular chapter meeting on Dec. 2 in Sierra Hall 280. In recent years the traditional exchange of paddles and hoodies between big brothers and their newly initiated little brothers happened right after the initiation wrapped. Several recent alumni dropped by for the occasion.
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Alejandro Gaviria
Jacob Akopnik
Tom Clemen Rafanan Alexander Estrella
Julian J. Ibarra
Class Level: Freshman Major: History Big Brother: Jacob Barron Birthday: Sept. 6 BP 749
Class Level: Freshman Major: Political Science Big Brother: Tyler Struck Birthday: July 14 BP 750
Class Level: Junior Major: Performing Arts & Psychology Big Brother: Fernando Ortiz Birthday: April 9 BP 751
Class Level: Sophomore Major: Undeclared Big Brother: Jacob Barron Birthday: June 14 BP 752
Class Level: Freshman Major: Mechanical Engineering Big Brother: Rocael Cardona Birthday: April 14 BP 753
Alex Martin
Ronald Medrano
Royce L. Miller
Andrew Vo
Isaac N. Yang
Class Level: Freshman Major: Business Law Big Brother: Wade Hawthorne Birthday: March 5 BP 754
Class Level: Junior Major: Recreation Tour Management Big Brother: Angelo Samson Birthday: Jan. 23 BP 755
Class Level: Sophomore Major: Kinesiology Big Brother: Rocael Cardona Birthday: May 6 BP 756
Class Level: Freshman Major: Civil Engineering Big Brother: Eddy Moya Birthday: July 31 BP 757
Class Level: Freshman Major: Computer Science Big Brother: J.C. Martinez Birthday: May 11 BP 758
David Tapia Class Level: Sophomore Major: Business Law Big Brother: Angelo Samson Birthday: July 16 BP TBA The Fall 2018 Initiates make their debut. Chapter President & High Alpha Alex Dinsmore and Fraternity Educator/High Kappa Jacob Barron welcomed Beta-Rho’s eleven newest brothers on Dec. 2 during a meeting in Sierra Hall 280. Opposite page. Actives and recent alumni assembled for a group picture after the post-initiation ceremony. Front row, from left: Ronnie Medrano, Royce Miller, Julian Ibarra, Alejandro Gaviria, Jacob Akopnik, Alex Martin, Tom Clemen Rafanan, David Tapia, Andrew Vo, Alex Estrella and Isaac Yang. Second row: Brandon Serna, Alex Dinsmore, Collin Chan, Edward Lopez, Jacob Barron, Cisco Silva, Wade Hawthorne, Angelo Samson, Frankie Castanon, Tyler Struck, Eddy Moya, Fernando Ortiz, Jay Villa, Rocael Cardona, Eric Choi, Robert Aceves, Angel Torres, Tino Diaz, J.C. Martinez, Chris Martinez and Justin Punzalan. BETA-RHO ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY
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Beta-Rho Zeta Instagram photos, various photographers
Chapter Chronicles: Summer & Fall Beta-Rho’s 2018 New Student Orientation Leaders (right, from front row): Assistant Director- New Student Programs & Transitional Events Christopher Aston, University Corporation Program & Marketing Manager (and little sister) Susan Dickman; 2nd row: Brandon Serna, Drew Willins; 3rd row: J.C. Martinez, Alex Dinsmore, Dre Ghotra, Rocael Cardona, Wade Hawthorne (behind Rocael), Fernando Ortiz, Cisco Silva and Eddy Moya. On June 23 undergrads and alumni shown holding the fraternity’s flag raised funds and ran in the 5K Run for Get On Your Feet L.A., an organization that helps people in the city who live below the poverty line. Angelo Samson brought the Mr. CSUN crown back to the chapter for the fourth consecutive year on Nov. 8. The contest raised money for CSUN’s Alpha Omicron Pi Sorority chapter’s philanthropy: the Arthritis Foundation.
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Clockwise from upper left: Posted on Instagram on Aug. 24, J.C. Martinez, Brandon Serna, Eddy Moya and Fernando Ortiz wrapped up their summer working for AS Productions and AS Outdoor Adventures/Camp Matador. Undergrads along with alumni Jorge Reyes and Chris Martinez (front row, 2nd & 4th) attended the first Camp Matador Staff Reunion (Sept. 6). Chapter members staffed the 18th annual AS Productions Big Show (Oct. 6). Angelo Samson volunteered again for Camp Paivika as a lifeguard and helped old and new friends with their day to day needs (Sept. 10). Brothers volunteered at the San Fernando Rescue Mission in Van Nuys (Nov. 22). Phi Mu’s charity event Sir Fidel attracted several supporters and coaches (Oct. 21). BETA-RHO ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY
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And Then There Were Four A Difficult Year: The 2018 Beta-Rho Housing Corporation Annual Meeting New venue. Familiar food for those who attended the previous Beta-Rho Housing Corporation’s dinner and elections eleven months earlier. The corp. board and guests convened at the Mandarin King Chinese Restaurant in Northridge for the 2018 edition of its Annual Meeting on Dec. 4. Distinguished alumni Tom Lawrence and Howard Brightman, EΣ ES 528, and former High Pi Tom Lawrence, AI 620, were introduced after the recitation of the creed. Both chapter affiliates were among its original founders. Brother Brightman also oversaw the creation of the Beta-Rho Housing Corporation in 1969. Past High Alpha Dennis Crain, BP 22, and the current one, Alex Dinsmore, BP 714; were introduced next. Brother Crain’s presidential tenure took place between May of 1973 and May of 1974. After elections, four of the five corp. board members retained their seats: Spencer Schmerling, president; Brother Brightman, vice president; Scott Press, director; and Rick Childs, director and secretary. Director Darren Arrieta stepped down to spend more time at home with his family. However, he agreed to continue to assist with the Lindley Project when needed. It took a couple more tables to accommodate this year’s crowd. Fourteen undergrads and eight alumni listened as Brother Schmerling detailed the complex issues surrounding the Lindley House property. But first he prefaced his remarks about his appreciation for the current members of the corp. board. “Sometimes we have a board that has an easy year,” Brother Schmerling said. “Sometimes we have a board that has a very difficult year. And this year we had a board that went through a very difficult year. I’m very grateful to the members of the board who have helped us through that year.” Since the inception of the so-called Lindley Project, the corp. board has navigated some rocky terrain to complete its task of having the Lindley property split into three parcels with the eventual goal of selling one or two of them and raising enough money to lower its mortgage and retire some old loans. “We needed around 50 departments with the City of Los Angeles to sign off on the plan,” he continued. One of the biggest snags occurred in September when a city department flagged the property split “because our side yard [on the north side] was three feet too narrow.” None of the city officials or the inspector seemed to notice that discrepancy when the house’s original building permit had been issued. Fortunately, Brother Arrieta knew all about the City of Los Angeles’ legendary shenanigans it could inflict on property owners since he had worked as an architect in neighboring Ventura County. “Darren salvaged our project from the depths of despair,” Brother Schmerling said. After paying a hefty fee, the project has continued to work its way through the city’s maze of permitting procedures. Without further delays, the project should be wrapped by around the end of May. The Lindley House’s other drama involved the excessive wear and tear it has endured since the chapter first started using it as a private residence in the summer of 2011. A combination of structural issues like a broken air conditioning unit, a roof leak in one of the common areas and an earwig invasion drove all the live-ins to seek
accommodations elsewhere over the summer. Within weeks, squatters broke the rear sliding glass door, vandalized the house, moved in and tagged some of the walls. With no rental income on the horizon and its security system out of commission, Brother Brightman recommended that the corp. board hire a contractor who had done renovation work on his home. As Brother Brightman recalled, “We hired [Kevin McCarthy and his wife Cathy] who came up with a huge list of damage that has to be repaired due to chapter disregard for the property…. We are trying to get all this done before the end of January so that the chapter can move back in and have everything finished by the time school starts.” Brother Schmerling pointed out that the contractor had been granted permission to move his RV onto the basketball court in the backyard and live there temporarily so that he can “act as a parttime security guard” as well as be close by to handle repairs. McCarthy evicted some squatters and set about repainting the interior and exterior, patched walls, repaired the sliding glass door and had fixed the roof leak. The contractor’s price of about $17,000 addresses “four-part financing to get everything back into the condition that the chapter wants it to be,” Brother Brightman said. Already, the contractor “has spent $3,000 in materials with his own money that we haven’t reimbursed him for yet, so that’s phase 1 of the charges,” Brother Brightman added. By now it had been made clear that the chapter needed to raise about $28,000 to complete the repairs and pay the property taxes. During the treasurer’s report Brother Brightman discussed plans to start a new loan program that pays participants 3 percent interest for a two-year commitment. For a minimum $1,000 or more commitment, he also offered to match each loan dollar for dollar for every loan the corp. board obtains until it reaches its funding goal. When one of the undergrads who had served as a house manager complained about the hassle of maintaining it and proposed that the chapter downsize from its current residence, Brother Lawrence reminded the undergrads that recruitment was the core problem that needed to be addressed. He noted that some of the chapter’s most successful membership drives happened when it didn’t have a private residence to call home. “Rush is something you can do that you don’t need a house to sell,” he said. “Two points: set a goal of manpower of people that are going to be in the house. Work for it: tell the corporation what it is, then set up a plan to fulfill it. The second thing is there is no such thing as a High Realtor on the High Zeta. And for the corporation board to just dump that responsibility on an undergraduate who is trying to graduate, I think, is woeful. It has to be the corporation, the owner of the house, to take the responsibility of being the realtor for the renter and the supervisor as far as seeing that the house is fully maintained.” Brother Brightman told the audience that he and Brother Dinsmore would be meeting after finals to devise a new chapter financial plan. Another area Brother Brightman wanted to address was the longdormant scholarship fund. He wants the scholarship fund reestablished in 2019 so that some undergrads can save on their tuition cost or get some of their rent costs covered. Alumni have also been looking for a tax deductible way to donate money to the chapter. 20
SUMMER / FALL 2018
Clockwise from the top: Front row, from left- Royce Miller, Alejandro Gaviria, Jay Villa, Howard Brightman, Tom Lawrence, Darren Arrieta and Rick Childs. Second row- Andrew Vo, Wade Hawthorne, Isaac Yang, Jacob Akopnik, Eddy Moya, J.C. Martinez, Mark Widawer, Spencer Schmerling, Kevin Catalan, Alex Martin, Tim Clemen Rafanan, Collin Chan, Alex Dinsmore, Dennis Crain and Scott Press. The newlly re-elected corp. board members: Rick Childs, Spencer Schmerling, Howard Brightman and Scott Press. Brother Widawer walks some actives through one of Brother Lawrence’s scrapbooks. Brother Brightman offers his comments during the treasurer’s report. Brother Schmerling asks the attendees to open their Annual Reports. Tom Lawrence offers his thoughts about how the chapter can get beyond their frustration over financial shortfalls and recognize the value of bringing its membership numbers back up.
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Photos courtesy of Will Medina, Matt Ahmadi, Dustin Mirochnick, Jorge Reyes Salinas, Adrian Reyes and Eric Roberts (a video frame grab)
Alumni Chronicles: Summer & Fall Will Medina (BP 629, pictured above), a family case manager who had relocated to Corydon, Indiana in the summer of 2015, trekked back to Los Angeles for his wedding with Vanessa Bahena on Nov. 17. The ceremony took place at the Christ the King Roman Catholic Church. Representing Beta-Rho at his wedding was his big brother, Glen Probst. Clockwis from right: Liane Mitchum and her boyfriend were strolling along the boardwalk in Avalon on Catalina Island on July 10 when, lo and behold, Eric Roberts (BP 617) got down on one knee and popped the question with an engagement ring. Matt Ahmadi (BP 551) and Alanna Tilson (clockwise from far right) were married at a private ranch in Oxnard on Dec. 10. Several alumni from Beta-Rho were there to celebrate the occasion. Among the chapter’s entourage were Neil Sanchez, Rob Press, Pat Duffy, Chris Dyer, Eric Gonzalez and Jessie Arciniega. Dustin Mirochnick (BP 461) became the proud dad of another daughter on Nov. 18 at 3:18 a.m. Charlotte Louise was born at the Tarzana Medical Center. She weighed 6 lbs., 6 oz. and was 19.25 inches long at her debut. Jorge Reyes Salinas (BP 618), an assembly fellow at the California State Assembly, received the Rising Star award from the Campaign for College Opportunity on Dec. 5. Matteo Antonio was born on Sept. 14 at 4:37 a.m. to Myke (BP 633) and Luz Davis at the Tarzana Medical Center. Adrian Reyes (BP 541) married Janet Islas on Dec. 1. Christopher Lynch (BP 360, not shown) married Arlynn Harris in Atlanta on Nov. 18.
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Remembering Walt Bollinger
Walter Leroy “Walt” Bollinger (BP 35) passed away on June 14, 2014 from natural causes, according to his son, Roger. Born on Nov. 20, 1918, he was 95, the oldest of Beta-Rho’s alumni. His wife Mary was also 95 when she passed away in 2018. Brother Bollinger, who became the first of Beta-Rho’s few honorary initiates, showed interest in joining around the time of the chapter’s original charter banquet at the Sheraton-Universal Hotel on Sept. 2, 1972. At the time of his initiation with the fall 1972 class on Nov. 4 of that year, he served as the housing director for Student Affairs at CSUN’s former women’s dormitory near Nordhoff and Zelzah. He worked at the university for about 17 years and retired in 1983. Many of the chapter’s alumni became familiar with Brother Bollinger in the 1970s and early 1980s while he was working on campus. While he started out as the head of student housing, Brother Bollinger eventually moved up as the dean of students’ “number two man.” He assisted as an unofficial academic advisor for some of the brothers and became a fixture at the housing corporation’s Annual Meetings during that time period. He also served as a director on the housing corporation in 1973 and 1974. Brother Bollinger earned his bachelors degree at Penn State University in educational administration in 1941. In 1962 he earned his Masters degree at Stanford University. Afterwards, he taught courses in educational counseling there for three years. Unbeknownst to most of the chapter, Brother Bollinger joined the Air Force after he finished his undergraduate degree program and became a pilot. In 1945 he flew in formation over the USS Missouri BETA-RHO ZETA OF LAMBDA CHI ALPHA INTERNATIONAL FRATERNITY
as the Japanese surrendered and WWII came to a close. In the 1950s he was stationed in Ankara, Turkey for two years and flew missions during the Korean War. His military career spanned about 23 years. Brother Bollinger shared some of his thoughts on his relationship with the chapter during an interview with the editor for the Summer 2008 Beta-Rho Bulletin on Sept. 14, 2008. The conversation resulted from a call to congratulate him on his upcoming 90th birthday. In the months leading up to the chapter’s charter installation banquet, Brother Bollinger had been invited to attend the banquet as the university’s staff representative, according to former Chapter Advisor Tom Lawrence. At the time of the phone call Brother Bollinger said, “I’m still doing okay; I’m just plugging along.” He was still living at the home he and his wife had purchased in Malibu in 1968 when they moved south from Stanford after he had accepted his housing director position. Scott Sonken (ZB 314) was the High Alpha in the summer of 1972. While he and the chapter were actively seeking new recruits to top off the minimum number of members needed to qualify for a charter, he didn’t flinch when the university’s staff representative asked the kinds of questions that indicated he might want to join. “[Sonken] was helping to recruit,” Brother Bollinger recalled. “I don’t know why they ended up coming to see me. They talked up the fraternity and I got interested. I had no affiliation; I was an independent and I went to Penn State. But at any rate [Sonken] got me started and one thing led to another. So I got initiated in ’72. I was in housing at that time. They just had the little brick building that’s now the School of Education [Monterey Hall].” 23