Chapter History
Sigma Kappa Zeta at Eastern Michigan University was established
because of the hard work by a few individuals. Read on to learn
the history of our chapter.
In 1972, the nation was still feeling an era of
anti-establishment created in the 1960s. Nationally,
fraternities had been folding due to lack of interest for a
number of years. At Eastern Michigan University, just four years
earlier, in 1968, Playboy Magazine named Eastern, "The Number
One Party School In The Nation". College students did not come
to Eastern to learn, they came to party. The atmosphere for
starting a solid Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at EMU did not look
good. If it were not for the hard work of a few men, Sigma Kappa
Zeta would not be here today. Those early men who got our
chapter going were Gerald Rodinsky and Marc Bonneau.
Then Executive Director George Spasyk, a 1949 graduate of the University of Michigan, had always wanted a Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at EMU. Director Spasyk sent Gerald Rodinsky, Director of Expansion, to EMU. Jerry organized a mass mailing of Lambda Chi Alpha pamphlets to every male in the fall of 1972. He then organized through Campus Life to meet with interested men. He organized a retreat at Boone Hall with the help of the Sigma Zeta of U of M and a couple local sororities. After the retreat, thirteen said they wanted to join. The colony was form in 1973, and the first ritual was performed shortly after. As a colony, we endured many hardships and grow slowly at first. Eventually, we experienced a surge in members and even had our own fraternity house.
Finally, in January, 1976, the charter was signed and on March 28, 1976, we received recognition as Sigma Kappa Zeta, a fully initiated chapter. Besides the struggle of the past few years, there were seven requirements set by national to be met before we could become a chapter. They were:
Before receiving our charter, the members were invited to International General HQ to talk with George Spasyk. While at the general headquarters, there were three main highlights: a retreat, a tour of the national office, and a steak dinner at Brother Spasyk's house. This was a high point in our local history because it was so motivational. The goal of the last three years to become a chapter had finally been reached. Locally, the turning point for our chapter at Eastern occurred soon after this visit to national.
Then Executive Director George Spasyk, a 1949 graduate of the University of Michigan, had always wanted a Lambda Chi Alpha chapter at EMU. Director Spasyk sent Gerald Rodinsky, Director of Expansion, to EMU. Jerry organized a mass mailing of Lambda Chi Alpha pamphlets to every male in the fall of 1972. He then organized through Campus Life to meet with interested men. He organized a retreat at Boone Hall with the help of the Sigma Zeta of U of M and a couple local sororities. After the retreat, thirteen said they wanted to join. The colony was form in 1973, and the first ritual was performed shortly after. As a colony, we endured many hardships and grow slowly at first. Eventually, we experienced a surge in members and even had our own fraternity house.
Finally, in January, 1976, the charter was signed and on March 28, 1976, we received recognition as Sigma Kappa Zeta, a fully initiated chapter. Besides the struggle of the past few years, there were seven requirements set by national to be met before we could become a chapter. They were:
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1. Membership at 30 members 2. 80% in Extra-Curricular Activities 3. Financial Solvency 4. A Reserve Fund 5. Own Ritual Equipment 6. An Alumni Organization organized 7. Established Bylaws All seven of these were met in March. |
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Before receiving our charter, the members were invited to International General HQ to talk with George Spasyk. While at the general headquarters, there were three main highlights: a retreat, a tour of the national office, and a steak dinner at Brother Spasyk's house. This was a high point in our local history because it was so motivational. The goal of the last three years to become a chapter had finally been reached. Locally, the turning point for our chapter at Eastern occurred soon after this visit to national.
Copyright © 2007 Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity - Sigma Kappa
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI 48197
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Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti MI 48197
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