Famous Greeks... a different kinda thread

[PM_Mama00]

I was curious about this. We all know there are tons of famous Greeks, but how many of these famous Greeks are still involved with their organizations?

Please don't post "hey so and so is a so and so". I don't care--- there are already tons of threads about that. I wana know who is still involved directly or indirectly and what they do.

[sugar and spice]

Tri Delta has introduced a new program called Life Loyal where you pay one sum to the headquarters instead of yearly alum dues -- it's supposed to make things easier for everyone involved. Kellie Coffey and Leeza Gibbons have both had ads in the Trident talking about how they're Life Loyals and have stayed involved in Tri Delta long past their college years.

[Tex1899]

I'm not sure how many are actively involved as a volunteer, but several famous alums are big donors to their respective org's foundation; some serve as board members. You can look at different foundation websites and check out their board of directors (or similar name); look for recognizable names and/or a description of their everyday job.

Good topic. I wish more famous alums were involved.

Anyone have any thoughts on why more famous alumni aren't involved beyond contributing money? Do you think it's a time issue?

[PhiPsiRuss]

We've had a dozen or so very famous alumni shoot video features for us over the last several years.

Also, Don Fites, a current member of our Endowment Fund's Board of Trustees, took on that role when he was CEO of Caterpillar.

[Tom Earp]

I am more Infamous and donate $$$$ to my Chapter!

Kenney Chesney is an Alum. Will be at his concert June 4 th. Will raise all kinds of Heck about LXA! He may have the pleasure of meeting Me!

To bad that some forget about what helped make them great!

Da, What They Learned!

[Jill1228]

I think Boyd Tinsley (Dave Matthews Band) is still active with Sigma Nu...he was featured in one of their recent issues.

Also Clarence Gilyard (he played on Walker Texas Ranger) had an ad in the recent Sigma Chi magazine

[Imperial1]

I think most of these "famous greeks" are more likely to be honorary rather than have truely "pledged" a certain org.

Imperial1

[Senusret I]

As far as Alpha Men go, here are some that I know have done "stuff".....in terms of being financial and active, I really don't know specifics:

Judge Joe Brown was a speaker at our last General Convention. (aka "Nationals")

Lazee Lamont (not so famous, but you may have heard him on the Russ Parr Morning Show) hosted the step show at that same convention.

Ambassador Horace Dawson is not only on the World Policy Council for APhiA, but he is also still an active member of his alumni chapter (which happens to be mine)!

Marc Morial, the current Executive Director of the National Urban League and former Mayor of New Orleans, is active, and was in the running for General President until he assumed his post with the NUL.

ETA: None of the Brothers I listed are Honorary, and in fact, very few of Alpha's prominent members are honorary initiates. It is a practice we discontinued. Nevertheless, the topic of this thread is about famous Greeks, honorary or not, who continue to give back to their organizations in some way.

[Pike1483]

Buddy Jewel, a new country singer and winner of TV's "Nashville Star," is from my chapter and when he had a concert in Jonesboro, he came to the house and chilled with us for a while. Really nice guy. He also had Pike help winning the competition because we all voted for him a lot.

[SurfinDBeach]

We Tekes have too many dang famous and important alums...

the biggest lifelongs include Ronald Reagan who was especially involved his whole life, Charles Walgreen (founder of Walgreens), and some others...

GO BEACH!!!

[thermobryan]

Tim McGraw...Oh yeah, what a stud!

[Firehouse]

Bowden was president of his chapter for two years, participated in his son Jeff's initiation back in 1980, and has been a regular fetaured speaker at Pike alumni and fundraising events.

[PM_Mama00]

That's awesome that these people still think of their chapters once they make it to the top.

I'm curious... what exactly did Ronald Reagan and Walgreen do for TKE besides give them bragging rights? And Tim McGraw? That was the point of the thread... not just "hey so and so is a Pike".

Sidenote: I think Bobby Bowden's wife is a Phi Mu, do you know if she is active with Phi Mu at all?

[PhiPsiRuss]

Originally posted by Imperial1
I think most of these "famous greeks" are more likely to be honorary rather than have truely "pledged" a certain org.

Imperial1

That is very, very wrong. My fraternity prohibits honorary initiations. When you see Mike Bloomberg, Evan Bayh, Mark Spitz, and others do things for Phi Psi, you're seeing gentlemen who were active undergraduates. Mike Bloomberg credits his involvement with Phi Psi for much of his personal development, and mentioned his affiliation during his run for mayor.

Also, Woodrow Wilson's funeral (he was a chapter president in law school, and again in grad school) featured one flower; Phi Psi's original flower.

[starang21]

Originally posted by PhiPsiRuss
That is very, very wrong. My fraternity prohibits honorary initiations. When you see Mike Bloomberg, Evan Bayh, Mark Spitz, and others do things for Phi Psi, you're seeing gentlemen who were active undergraduates. Mike Bloomberg credits his involvement with Phi Psi for much of his personal development, and mentioned his affiliation during his run for mayor.

Also, Woodrow Wilson's funeral (he was a chapter president in law school, and again in grad school) featured one flower; Phi Psi's original flower.

she's probably speaking from the perspective of a BGLO. i'm not sure how non-pan organizations do it, but this is true among the NPHC.