[Erik P Conard]

I was hired by Dick Hall and Jim Logan in May 1957 and reported
in Aug '57 in time to go to the Bedford Springs Conclave. On the
way several of us fielders stopped in Indy and helped Gamma Psi
chapter at Butler get going again....it worked well.
Melchert had gotten us Manitoba and TKE was now international.
We were eight on the road. I spent the 57-58 year as a fielder
and went to summer school in '58, returned to field staff in Sept
of '58, spent that year on road, and was hired then as TKE's first
Resident Field Supervisor to attend Emporia State U and restore
Gamma Phi chapter to prominence. It worked. I graduated in '60
and also served as Province Hegemon for Kansas.
I had secured several affiliates during that time, a record never
challenged 'cept by Buckwheat, but took him five years to do it.
Fall '60, I was Spanish teacher at Manhattan, KS high school and
served on the Province Staff and the Alpha Lambda (KSU) Board.
Summer '63, married, entered grad school at U of IL, was Chapter
Adviser of Gamma Chapter. Jim Kane & I ran Leadership Schools,
and were IL Province Hegemons '63-'65 for Illinois.
Was silent adviser, communicator, contributor to Wilson B Heller &
the College Survey Bureau from '61-73 also.
Fall '65, took Foreign Language Education position at Pittsburg State U in KS, and became Chapter Adviser for Delta Mu there,
we went from 28 members to 81 in five semesters.
I have served on numerous committees at the national level
under Eugene Charles Beach, James Russel Salsbury, Ralph
Chester Williams, James Clifford Logan, Harrold Pierce Flint,
et al., all a matter of record.
Conducted largest leadership school ever in TKE in Springfield, MO, but hosted by Delta Mu, 28 chapters, 3 colonies, 1 local &
2 Grand Councillors present (Aspinwall & Quallich) Feb 1966
Entered U of OK, full time, fall '68 and was TKE Province Hegemon,
helped run leadership schools at Edmond (E-S chapter) 'til Jan 70
Completed PhD, accepted Dean and AD, Neosho Co. Comm. Coll.
Chanute, KS joining TKE Joe Smith as he was Dean of Students.
We sent several students to TKE via transfer methods...
Was Province Supervisor, KS, 71-74, helped in the creation and installation of Washburn, Baker & Rockhurst chapters. Ran US
Survey on Junior Colleges for Don Kaser & Bruce Melchert at the
TKE Hdqtrs, had negative results, TKE chartered two anyway.
Buckwheat entered TKE staff during this time, as Resident Field
Supervisor, Alpha Lambda, Kansas State; worked--see 'em today?
Left education business, '76, to CO; revived Denver Alumni chapter, served on Board at Delta Delta, UNC Greeley, helped in
getting the Pelican Boys from Louisiana to come run two Rush
Clinics, helped Buckwheat with the Las Vegas & Reno & Grand
Junction chapters colonizations and installations.
Carried on correspondences with Heller, Hall, Logan, Flint 'til
their deaths. Went to five conclaves, where Jim Kane and I ruled
as the TKE trivia poobahs--mostly at the bar.
Pete Leland & Tex Flint nominated me at the Detroit Conclave,
fall '59, as the Permanent Historian, Knights of Apollo. Passed.
Wrote history part of the CFC exam, was among first CFC's.
Serving on board of CU colony, Gamma Iota, now. It's doing well.
Guess that's about all. You still awake? TKE is the Fraternity for
Life, and I guess I have had a few years at it, much disappointment but fully support present staff.
The two years on the road were the greatest training I ever got,
the most fun I ever had, and TKE became #1 during this time.
Yours in the bond, Erik P Conard (Gamma Phi, Emporia, 133)