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June
25th, 2011
Orlando, Florida
Marriot Grande
Lakes Hotel
Sunny Orlando, Florida was the setting for this year’s Chi
Phi Congress, the 146th convening of delegates from chapters all over
the nation. This year, Xi Delta found representation through Brothers
Stephen Prachaseri and Mario L. Lento, the current Alpha and Beta.
The Theta
Delta Chapter was this year's host, embodying the true pride
and nature that is Florida Chi Phi Chapters. In attendance were many Xi
Delta founding fathers, including first Alumni advisor Dick Simmons and
Al Warrington, who was giving an honorable mention for his latest and
most generous donation to the Chi Phi Educational Trust totaling $1.6
million.
One of
the
most
exciting and enjoyable
experiences of the weekend was
the appearance of Carl J. Gladfelter, Alpha-Tau ‘33 and his
son Tom Gladfelter, Alpha Zeta ‘75. Former Grand Alpha and
National Director, Brother Gladfelter was the inspiration to the
Gladfelter Circle, the program started by Chi Phi to give prominent
recognition to alumni who donate generously to the fraternity.
A special
moment
in the weekend came during
the awards banquet when
Florida Tech’s own Greek life advisor, Cassandra
McGuire-Carnley, won Campus Administrator of the Year.
In the course of the weekend, Brothers Prachaseri and Lento got
formally acquainted with brother Warrington, Theta Delta ‘58.
After congress convened, talks sprouted between Brother Warrington and
the chapter. Brother Warrington lent a helping hand by giving the
chapter not only his contact information, but those of Brother Simmons
and Brother Frank Pound, Theta Delta ‘54, integral Florida
Chi Phi alumni. Brother Warrington left the chapter with the exciting
notion involving the possible re-establishment of Florida Chi Phi, a
former alumni association with the goal of assisting Florida chapters
in any way that they can.
Xi Delta
also
received a special treat from
Brother Dave Davis, Theta
Delta ‘73. A plaque that had originally belonged to the
chapter back in the 1970’s, but was adopted under the care of
select Theta Delta alumni after our chapter had lost our charter. It
was an exciting reunion, indeed, after its absence for several decades.
The plaque reads:
“Sophomore
Leadership Tablet
Xi Delta Chapter
Chi Phi Fraternity
An Annual Record of the Choice of the Members of the Senior and Junior
class of that Member of the Sophomore Class Whose Efforts have Proven
Most Helpful to the Chapter
Presented
by the Florida Chi Phi Association 1968”
All in all, Chi Phi
congress is perhaps one of the most rewarding
experiences of being a Chi Phi brother. The 147th Chi Phi congress will
be held next summer in Atlanta, Georgia. The Chi Phi National Office,
in addition to holding congress, will also try to reinstate the College
of Excellence, a four day leadership program in addition to holding an
Alpha academy in the winter.
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