Famous Greeks... a different kinda thread

[ADPiShannan]

I think its a great thing to ask what famous people are still involved? Besides people being guest speakers and putting ads in your magazine, do you have any famous people who actually go abck to their chapter and help with recruitment or go to conventions?

I know its great to have them donate, but to me thats not actually getting in their and helping, well its just donating. I agree most are way busy, but I wonder out of all the famous people we all boast were in our orgs, who actually is still involved in their alum assoc, in their chapter, with nationals.

I wonder how to get this too? I know Id love to contact our famous ADPi's and try to get them more involved in the organization. Anyone have thoughts on how to get famous people involved? AND not just donating....

[GeekyPenguin]

Originally posted by Imperial1
How da fukk is what I said ignorant based on what I know from NPHC? As far as your org goes, I ain't never heard of it and could care less who's a famous member of your org. It must not be that important to them, cause the majority of the famous ones in my org that actually pledged represent my org to the fullest. Sorry you're so "offended" that members of OTHER orgs happen to become honorary.

Imperial1

You've never heard of Alpha Phi Alpha? Um, okay...did you know the earth is ROUND?

[starang21]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
You've never heard of Alpha Phi Alpha? Um, okay...did you know the earth is ROUND?

*whispering*

she's heard of it...she's a Zeta. i think she's talking about russ's frat.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally posted by GeekyPenguin
You've never heard of Alpha Phi Alpha? Um, okay...did you know the earth is ROUND?

She was referring to PhiPsiRuss.

Get a grip.

[CarolinaCutie]

Phi Mu has famous honorary members... good old Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee...

But I agree with Russ and Senusret. The statement that most famous Greeks are honorary members IS not true. I'm wondering what gave you that impression?

[SurfinDBeach]

Ronald Reagan was ACTIVELY involved with TKE his entire life, visiting chapters, regularly having Tekes at the White House, being at the grand chapter and big Teke events, donating, and a lot more... He is one of the most active (or was)...

Whenever he visited somewhere, he'd go out of his way to greek the Tekes who came to see him...

Our pledge guide has a bunch of pictures of him in Teke houses across the country, the grand chapter, etc...

Walgreen supported TKE throughout in many different respects and was recognized with awards...

The TKE Educational Foundation and other programs are the result of such supporters...

Like I said, we have COUNTLESS prominent alumni... Our list is ridiculously huge, but I brought up those 2 names because they are prime examples of those life longs that TRULY and actively contribute to the fraternity...

BTW, those two ACTUALLY PLEDGED...

The majority of our prominent alumni ACTUALLY PLEDGED, but one of our fraters who is honorory is Elvis... He's one of the exceptions...

GO BEACH!!!

[hoosier]

Charles Wallgreen (age 98), the drugstore guy, sponsors the TKE summer leadership adventure.

Nardarelli (not sure about the spelling), the CEO of Home Depot, funded a GA scholarship for Tekes, and some other stuff.

[honeychile]

I do know that Judy Woodruff (CNN anchor & ADPi) and Lu Parker (former Miss USA & ADPi) both attend our conventions regularly. I can only assume that they support ADPi in other ways, too.

Katie Couric (Tri-Delta) is outspoken on her membership, but only the Tri-Deltas would know if she otherwise contributes.

[TheEpitome1920]

Sheryl Underwood is currently on our National Executive Board as Graduate Member At Large. She also donates a portion of her income to the sorority.

Ja'net DuBois attended Boule last year and spoke at one of the luncheons.

As far as generalizations, I agree that they shouldn't be made. Just because we exist within the same council doesn't mean our membership catergories/criteria/processes are the same.

[TSteven]

Originally posted by honeychile
Katie Couric (Tri-Delta) is outspoken on her membership...

And this speaks VOLUMES. Pun intended.

But really, when prominent (famous) alumni speak about their affiliation - in a positive light - that is giving back. Heck, we all know that many "non prominent" folk never bring up that they are in a fraternity or sorority. Promoting the fraternity can help with recruitment and instills pride in other members. That in turn can lead to fund-raising and other ways of members contributing back to their organization.

I guess my point here is that we should commend our famous members for being proud of their affiliation. As they should be.

And of course, this applies to ALL members who are proud of their affiliation. Anytime we talk about our GLOs, it helps!

[sageofages]

Let's look at it from other perspectives (to play the devil's advocate).....

HOW would it effect your GLO to have a famous/celebrate member who is technically still a member in good standing, but wants NOTHING to do with your organization (while not relinquishing their membership)? Phi Mu has at least one reknown individual I know of who has flat out said to our NC "I want nothing to do with Phi Mu, so don't bug me". ugh...

What about the celebrity who would like to attend functions, etc but would really end up "mobbed" for lack of a better word? How do they reconcile their celebrity with the desire to be "just another sister" and not drawn untoward attention at a function?

I can imagine lending the "I am a member" voice (ala Katie Couric) is as big a help as they might feel truly comfortable lending.

[Imperial1]

Originally posted by starang21
*whispering*

she's heard of it...she's a Zeta. i think she's talking about russ's frat.

*THROWS HANDS UP*

Good gawd some people just don't get it. *smh*

Imperial1

[Imperial1]

Originally posted by BobbyTheDon
Originally posted by Imperial1
How da fukk is what I said ignorant based on what I know from NPHC? As far as your org goes, I ain't never heard of it and could care less who's a famous member of your org. It must not be that important to them, cause the majority of the famous ones in my org that actually pledged represent my org to the fullest. Sorry you're so "offended" that members of OTHER orgs happen to become honorary.


Imperial1Wow, what great class you have.

Ok, time for Imperial to come and yell at me now.


And I may be wrong but I don't think Colonel Sanders actually pledged. He was a special initiate at Alpha Eta chapter (Florida). Oh...hey speaking of famous Pikes, how about your UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT!!!! J. Michael Ortiz baby.

As far as Tim McGraw. This guy loves PiKA like no other. He loved it so much, he participated in the initiation of his father (Tug). Oh yeah, and it helps when he sends thousands upon thousands to his chapter.

Yell at you? Who are you?

Imperial1

[KellyB369]

I know that Jim Goodnight CEO, Chairman, Co-founder and President of SAS was very financially involved in building the new house for the TKEs on the NCSU campus. I don't know exactly how involved he is personally, as far as visiting the chapter, etc. I think that financial involvement is better than no involvement at all and I'm guessing that someone as busy at Goodnight does not have a lot of time to be personally involved.

[Firehouse]

To the lady who asked about Ann Bowden and Phi Mu: Yes, I think she is active with the sorority. I was told that she was president of Phi Mu at the same time Coach Bowden was president of Pike, and they were married at the time.
Bobby-the-Don, you are right about Col Sanders: his son was an undergrad at Florida and the Col was an honorary initiate.
Thi is a good story about an FSU alum. He's not famous but he is rich, which is almost as good as famous. Harry Sargeant, Jr owns the largest fleet of ocean-going oil tankers in the world. He is an FSU Pike ('78) and his son Harry III is an '03 initiate. Harry wrote a check for the lead gift to build the chapter's new house. And, when he was in China last year pursuing an oil deal, he noticed his Chinese host had an old, vintage firetruck. Harry made that part of the deal, shipped the 1938 Chevvy back to the States for a full restoration job, then had it transported secretly to Tallahassee where it was his surprise gift to the chapter at groundbreaking.