The 2008 Sesquicentennial Karnea descended upon Pittsburgh to "Honor the Legacy" of the first 150 years of Delta Tau Delta, and to "Look Beyond" to the next 150 years. To simply say this was the greatest of all Delt events would be an understatement. During this week-long celebration, one international president's term ended and a new one began. We launched a new branding initiative that implements innovative programming and creates a new look for the Fraternity. It brought brothers together, including past and present chapter consultants and Leadership Academy attendees. This unforgettable celebration took all Delts to the birthplace of the brotherhood we all hold near and dear to our hearts. Each day we celebrated at this Karnea, it was truly a "Great Day to be a Delt." Karnea by the numbers
821 Karnea attendance
412 Undergraduates
312 Alumni
97 Guests
110 Total Chapters Represented
6 Colonies Represented
56 Chapter Advisors
42 Division Vice Presidents
37 House Corporation officers
In legislative business, the Karnea...
During legislative debate, delegates of the 2008 Karnea:
Elections of officers
Delegates at the 2008 Sesquicentennial Karnea elected the following officers to serve the Fraternity James O. Selzer (Baker, 1970) was elected as international president. Selzer serves as practice managing partner with Stinson, Morrison, Hecker LLP in Kansas City. His legal practice focuses on corporate finance and securities. Get to know President Selzer better in the January 2009 issue of The Rainbow. Selzer resides in Lee's Summitt, Mo. Alan Brackett (Tulane, 1982) was elected as international vice president. Brackett is a principal in the New Orleans law firm of Mouledoux, Bland, Legrand & Brackett, L.L.C. Brackett resides in New Orleans. Travis O. Rockey (Florida, 1973) was elected as international second vice president. Rockey is the executive vice president of Evening Post Publishing Company, a privately held information company with approximately 1,800 employees headquartered in Charleston, S.C., where he also resides. James Garboden (Pittsburgh, 1988) was elected as international treasurer. Garboden is the co-owner of RFC Staffing & Solutions, an IT solutions firm based in Pittsburgh. Garboden resides in Delmont, Pa. Jody B. Danneman (Georgia, 1988) was elected as international secretary. Danneman is president and executive producer for Atlanta ImageArts, a broadcast television production company. Danneman resides in Marietta, Ga. Scott A. Heydt (Moravian, 2002) was elected as international director of academic affairs. Heydt is a fifth grade classroom teacher in Central Bucks School District, where he currently serves on a teacher leader committee involved with infusing the district's strategic plan into the current curriculum and instruction practices. Heydt resides in Chalfont, Pa.
Wednesday highlights
Karnea kicked off on Wednesday with golf and a birthday party.
Educational Foundation Golf Classic Sesquicentennial Celebration
The 2008 Pittsburgh Karnea brought with it the fifth installment of the Foundation Golf Classic, played at Longue Vue Club on Wednesday, August 13. Karnea Golf Classics raise money for Karnea Fellowships so more brothers can attend future Karneas. Whether the golfers were duffing, hooking, slicing, or crushing the ball, calling out your hole-in-one on every par three, great times were had by all.
The Fraternity turned 150 years old. What better way to celebrate with one giant birthday party? The 2008 Sesquicentennial Karnea ushered in the beginning of this week-long party with a bang. From inflatables to caricature artists to door prizes, there was something for all participants to enjoy. Why not sumo wrestle in a giant padded suit? The night concluded with The Passing Zone, the world-famous juggling duo who has performed for the U.S. president and "The Tonight Show." Attendees saw Undergraduate Council President Zack Lyke spin four plates and a ball while The Passing Zone juggled four sickles around him.
Educational Foundation surpasses $18 million goal
Campaign funds future educational opportunities
To a standing ovation, the numbers clicked in place as the Educational Foundation shared the news that the Sesquicentennial Campaign had surpassed the $18 million goal set forth at the 2006 Karnea. $18,363,578 was raised to ensure future opportunities for education and will be available for our Fraternity and local chapters. John Gleeson (Illinois, 1969), campaign chairman, made the announcement at the opening session when the 2008 Karnea kicked off four days of celebrations! "As a Fraternity and a Foundation we stand on the shoulders of giants," Gleeson said, "many of you have now added your names to this list of legends by supporting this campaign."
Thursday highlights
Educational sessions at the 2008 Karnea went beyond traditional breakout sessions. Life skills sessions were featured throughout the week. Adopt-Pittsburgh Success Symposiums
Who wouldn't want to be a kid for a morning again? What better way to live this out by volunteering for Adopt-a-School? Karnea participants took the opportunity to be a kid, but focused on helping children better themselves both personally and scholastically while having fun. Adopt-Pittsburgh's activities included volunteering at several summer camps and helping kids with reading. Karnea participants had the chance to make a difference in the lives of Pittsburgh-area kids.
Karnea participants also had the opportunity to attend a new program, the Success Symposium. This event highlighted the achievements of 10 alumni who have come from a wide range of endeavors. These alumni shared their personal stories. From entrepreneurs, to executives, to an author, the stature achieved by these alumni in their careers and communities are significant. Their wisdom, insight and experiences served as great lessons for all attendees. Speakers were:
Friday highlights
Nearly 600 Delts and guests left the Pittsburgh Hilton and traveled to Bethany. Pilgrimage to Bethany
Delts and guests of the Sesquicentennial Karnea had the opportunity to travel to Bethany, W. Va., to visit where Delta Tau Delta was founded. While at Bethany, everyone had the opportunity to tour the Founders House, enjoy time with brothers, and enjoy a fireworks finale. Between the food, the Karnea photo and rededication, this was an unforgettable event 150 years in the making.
Saturday highlights
The 150th year of the Fraternity closed with the Karnea banquet and took a look at the future of the Fraternity. Branding Rollout Launch of The Road Banquet
The Arch Chapter, Undergraduate Council and Central Office staff began working on a strategic plan for the Fraternity nearly four years ago. One of the key elements was the creation and implementation of an integrated branding, marketing, and communications plan to further grow the awareness and positive reputation of Delta Tau Delta. With the research and support of an outside branding partner, "Letters of Distinction. Lives of Excellence" was unveiled for this purpose. As stated in our Ritual, Delta Tau Delta considers herself a unique organization. We were founded on distinctive principles and our members have endeavored to live Lives of Excellence from the very beginning. No other campus organization wears our letters; no other organization shares our Ritual. Based on our core principles, the marketing campaign will focus on five concepts very much aligned to our principles and values. These messages focus on: Values-aligned recruitment; social responsibility; community service; life-long involvement; and the ongoing development of our members, as embodied in The Road. The rebranding of the Fraternity make our letters viable on college campuses today-a new look for the start of the next 150 years.
The Road is our gift to those young men who choose to join the proven legacy of Delta Tau Delta. It is our member education and personal development program of the 21st century. The Road is designed for today's student. It is down-to-earth, a bit edgy, a lot of fun, and intended to fit into the busy schedule of today's college student. Its curriculum was developed by "Leading to Change," a training development firm which is led by Eric Rowles, a University of California-Riverside Delt who was a founding father of his chapter. The Road is divided into five elements: Career development, personal leadership, financial security, health and wellness, and life skills. The Road is a value-added part of the Delt experience and intended to complement what college students are learning in the classroom. The Road is intended to help Delts be prepared for the world beyond college-from managing your finances, to preparing a resume, to understanding the basics of health and wellness, to building on your own leadership style. The Road will make Delta Tau Delta even more distinctive. We believe this member education program will transform the Fraternity and give us the edge to bring the Delt experience to more campuses and more men.
To bring the Sesquicentennial to a successful close, the Karnea and all its attendees enjoyed a wonderful evening celebrating a great week in Pittsburgh. Awards were handed out to the distinguished guests of the Karnea. With the week coming to a close, the banquet helped to put into perspective how far we have come, and how far we have yet to go to continue to live a life of excellence.
Guest program highlights
About 100 guests attended Karnea. Karnea guests treated to day out in Pittsburgh
Approximately 100 guests of Delts attended this year's Karnea. Of those, 46 spent the entire week at Karnea which included a few special events for guests. There was an opening reception on Wednesday sponsored by Marcia Swanson, wife of Karnea Chairman Dick Swanson. The guests boarded buses on Thursday and enjoyed a tour of the University of Pittsburgh's Nationality Rooms and Heinz Chapel. It was a wonderful trip to enjoy the historical side to Pittsburgh.
Awards presented during Karnea
The following awards were presented to individuals and chapters at the 2008 Karnea: Alexander Calder Award Alfred P. Sheriff Award William Fraering Award Hughes Award for Ritual Performance John W. Nichols Bridge Builder Award Outstanding Chapter Report James S. Eaton Award
The Delta Epsilon Chapter (University of Kentucky) was awarded the Alexander Calder Award. This award is given to the most aesthetically pleasing, creative and excellent house furnishings and interior décor. Alexander Calder (Stevens, 1919) is one of the most influential sculptors of our time. Calder utilized his innovative genius to profoundly change the course of modern art. He is renowned for the invention of the mobile, whose suspended, abstract elements move and balance in changing harmony.
Thomas W. Pitt (Albion, 1988) was awarded the Alfred P. Sheriff Award. This award is given to the outstanding chapter advisor of the Fraternity. Tom Pitt has served his chapter as its advisor since 1994. Sheriff (Washington & Jefferson, 1949) served as executive vice president of the Fraternity and the first president of the Educational Foundation.
Kevin Johns (Allegheny, 1994), Thomas Pitchford (SE Louisiana, 1993), Kirby Sisk (Georgia Tech, 1994), and Mark Starr (Case Western Reserve, 1995) were presented the Fraering Award. This award is intended to honor younger alumni who have faithfully served as chapter advisors, division vice presidents, house corporation officers, or have rendered other praiseworthy service to the Fraternity at large. Bill Fraering (Tulane University, 1943) was elected the 34th president of Delta Tau Delta at the 1978 Karnea in his hometown of New Orleans, where he was the president of a food brokerage firm. Sadly, his days as president and his life were cut short less than a year later. He answered the doorbell at his home on a Sunday in New Orleans and was greeted by two armed men who demanded entry. Realizing these men could bring great harm to his family, Bill stepped outside, closing and locking the door behind him. Angered, the men shot and killed him on the front steps of his home Edwin L. Heminger Award Jon Williamson, executive vice president emeritus of the North-American Interfraternity Conference, was awarded the Heminger Award for Interfraternal Service. This award is given to a member of the Greek community who has provided leadership to both Delta Tau Delta and the fraternal movement while demonstrating the same dedication, integrity and unselfish service as former international president Ed Heminger (Ohio Wesleyan, 1948).
The Gamma Chapter (Washington & Jefferson College) was awarded the Hughes Award for Ritual Performance. This award recognizes excellence of an undergraduate chapter's performance of the Ritual.
F. Russell Douglass (Texas, 1981), J. Fred Gist (Oklahoma, 1973), G. Michael Perros (Kentucky, 1981), Samuel Rosamond (Tulane, 1959), and Charles Safris (Iowa State, 1963) were awarded the Nichols Bridge Builder Award. This award is given to those alumni who have rendered at least three years of outstanding service to the establishment, development, or enhancement of a house corporation.
The Epsilon Epsilon Chapter (University of Arizona) was cited for submitting the Outstanding Chapter Report. This award recognizes excellence written chapter reports published by the Fraternity to keep alumni informed of the chapter's activities.
Scott Chesrown (San Diego, 2007) was awarded the James S. Eaton Outstanding Recent Graduate Award. This award is given to an alumnus who has graduated within the previous five years and demonstrated a noteworthy career achievement or rendered a particularly beneficial service to the Fraternity. Chesrown was saluted as the driving force in the creation of Bleed Purple, which was adopted as the Fraternity's sesquicentennial philanthropy. In the Fraternity's early years, Eaton (Allegheny, 1875) took it upon himself to carry on the Alpha Chapter, and relocate it from Ohio Wesleyan to Allegheny. Eaton remained faithful and continued to track down Delta Tau Delta's history despite poor record keeping.
Distinquished Service Chapter citations
Since 1930, only 408 citations have been given. Of those, only 105 men are still living.
Four citations bestowed at Karnea Leonard G. Swanson (Washington State University, 1962) Mark Vernallis (University of Pittsburgh, 1975) J. Drew McFarland (Bethany College, 1983) Jody B. Danneman (Univerity of Georgia, 1988)
The Distinguished Service Chapter began in 1930 as the Court of Honor. Men who have been Delt alumni for more than 20 years and who have contributed significantly to the Fraternity and served Delta Tau Delta beyond their own chapter are eligible for membership. This is the highest Delt service award available. The citations for the four men honored at Karnea are listed here.
Dedication to others is the best way to describe this Good Delt's service to Delta Tau Delta. Brother Swanson has served the undergraduates at Wyoming and Northern Colorado as chapter advisor for two decades. Traveling long distances across the rugged Rockies has been an accepted part of his unswerving dedication to the young Delts in his care. He has done so quietly and faithfully in keeping with our ideals of a manly life earned through practical service. Brother Swanson is a role model and an inspiration to be treasured.
Gamma Sigma has a rich tradition of Fraternity leadership highlighted by the names Norm MacLeod and Dick Swanson, chairman of the 2008 Karnea. This Delt has earned his place of distinction alongside those honored before him. Since early in his undergraduate days, he has continuously served in working positions for the Fraternity, including chapter consultant, advisor, and House Corporation board member for more than 30 years. He chaired the 75th and 100th anniversaries of Gamma Sigma. He is a true leader among the men of Delta Tau Delta.
From his undergraduate days as chapter president at Bethany, this Good Delt has made Delta Tau Delta a priority in his life. As chapter advisor at Chi, and division vice president for Chi and Mu, he has nurtured two of the Fraternity's oldest chapters. He left an enduring mark throughout the Fraternity by sharing his keen legal talents in guiding the most extensive review of our Constitution in a generation through the 2004 Karnea as chairman of the Constitution and Laws Committee. His loyalty is unconquerable, steadfast and earnest.
Best known as Delta Tau Delta's consummate showman, this Good Delt has served the Fraternity with distinction in every role to which he has been called: chapter advisor, Southern Division vice president, Southern Division president, and Chair of the Committee on Chapters. By sharing his professional talents he has ensured countless division conferences and Karneas are the greatest of Delt events. An ardent student of the Ritual, he has ever modeled its teachings. In all of these endeavors, he has always done so with the best interests of undergraduate Delts firmly in his heart.
Alumni Achievement Award recipient
This year, the AAA was awarded to Dr. John Altman (Miami (OH), 1960). Dr. John Altman receives honor
The Alumni Achievement Award (AAA) is extended to alumni of the Fraternity, whose achievements in their fields of endeavor have brought honor and prestige to Delta Tau Delta. This year, the AAA was awarded to Dr. John Altman (Miami (OH), 1960). Dr. Altman earned an undergraduate degree in economics. He is also a graduate of Harvard University's Graduate School of Business, and Fuller Theological Seminary. He has also received honorary Doctor of Humane Letter's degrees from three leading American universities. He is currently serving as adjunct professor of entrepreneurship at Miami University, in the Richard T. Farmer School of Business; Chairman of the Board for GoPicinic.com; co-founder of Black Rock Systems, LLC; and Chairman and CEO of the John W. Altman Charitable Foundation, Reno, Nevada. He has held four endowed chairs at leading academic institutions including Babson College and Miami University. He is a recognized international consultant in the field of entrepreneurship where he has received numerous awards and formal recognition for his outstanding contributions to entrepreneurial education, and teaching. His research and published cases are widely used in teaching entrepreneurship worldwide. A lifelong serial entrepreneur, he believes that his college fraternity, Delta Tau Delta, provided him with leadership opportunities and teamwork challenges that singularly led to success in business, academics, and philanthropy.
Closing the Sesquicentennial
The celebration began at the 2006 Karnea in Indianapolis and concluded at the 2008 Karnea in Pittsburgh. Many events and activities took place during the Fraternity's two-year celebration. Alumni Events An important part of the Sesquicentennial celebration was the alumni events that spanned across the nation. These events were more than fundraisers. More than cocktail receptions. More than banquets. They were a time to get back together with Delts, both chapter brothers as well as other local alumni. These events took place in a number of cities, including Naples, New York, Chicago, Portland, Oklahoma City and Dallas. There were great events to lead up to the Sesquicentennial Karnea in Pittsburgh. Bleed Purple Gavel Pass First and last Sesquicentennial initiates Song writing competition
The Sesquicentennial saw the Fraternity come together to benefit the same philanthropy, Bleed Purple. What started as a head-shaving philanthropy event at the University of San Diego has grown nationwide to help 'cut' costs for college students' medical bills. Many chapters donated more than $40,000 to this cause, as well as enjoyed their new aerodynamic look after shaving their head.
A symbol of Sesquicentennial, the gavel, traveled to many chapters across the country during the past two years. It started at the 2006 Brickyard Karnea with Theta Founding Chapter (Bethany College), and ended with Epsilon Omega Chapter (Georgia Southern University) at the 2008 Sesquicentennial Karnea. The "big hammer" emits the power of the chair and symbolizes the solidarity of the Fraternity.
The first initiate of the Sesquicentennial was John G Heidenreich, roll number 2180. He initiated into Beta Alpha on August 27, 2006. The final person initiated during the Sesquicentennial was Matthew C Renfree. He is an active member of Gamma Beta, roll number 1436, initiated August 15, 2008, at the Karnea.
To keep in spirit with the Sesquicentennial, the Fraternity hosted a song writing competition for any Delt to show off his musical talent. The idea was that of former international president Jeff Heatherington (Willamette, 1965), and his donation was the $1,000 prize for this competition. Billy Wilbourne (Auburn 1973) was the winner of this competition and debuted his song at the Karnea Banquet.
A salute to Rock Clinton
48th president completes 15 years of Arch Chapter service Kenneth L. "Rock" Clinton, Jr. (Texas A&M-Commerce, 1965) completed his two-year term as the 48th international president. He has a combined 15 years of dedicated Arch Chapter service. His Arch Chapter service began in 1990 when he was the last president of the Western Division of the Fraternity before it was divided. Rock continued his service as the director of academic affairs, second vice president and vice president before becoming the Fraternity's chief elected officer. The Fraternity wishes to thank Rock for his service to the Fraternity as well as his Delt Sweetheart, Dr. Linda Clinton, for sharing Rock with his countless volunteer hours. His words, "Brotherhood Sustains Us," will ring for the ages.