Dear Fellow Archon Alumni:
As president of your Alumni Association I send you greetings and would like to report an account of your association’s accomplishments in the year 2009.
My name is Jason Brown ’99 and I was elected to be your president this last October. Other officers elected include, John Combs ’07, vice-president, Aaron Rykowski, ‘02 treasure, and Larry Guglielmi ‘73 secretary.
In the sport of boxing, a fighter sometimes experiences a devastating punch. In the year 2009, the Archon Alumni Association experienced several blows. Last summer, the president of our association, Jack Roderous ’7i passed away after suffering a stroke. During his tenure, Archon flourished and expanded its role and purpose. Those efforts are reflected in what I am reporting to you in this letter.
This was not the only loss Archon suffered this year. Rodger Butner passed away at his home in Columbus Ohio on May 9, 2009. Rodger pledged in 1978 with a very large and tight pledge class; they number 16. The following men are his pledge brothers. Rusty Bookman, John Johnson, Dan Richardson, Ron Hudson, Bill Miller, Dave Wells. Darrell Tillis, Brett Holly, Phil Alban Rock, Walters, Dan Shier, Kelly Robson, George McKee Stuart Coronel, and Lloyd Lake.
Our condolences go out to the families and pledge brothers of both these men.
The 2009 Archon year began with May Day. The active order organized and hosted a successful celebration of our 52nd anniversary. A good mix of actives and alumni enjoyed a great day of golf, dinner and a party that once again lived up to Archon standards. A video of this event titled May Day 2009 can be found on our web site at www.archonalumni.org. Please consider joining us at these years’ festivities on May 1, 2010. More information will be forthcoming from the active order.
The Archon Classic was once again held at the Elks Country Club in Portsmouth Ohio. Several foursomes took advantage of an extra round the day before at the Shawnee State Park Golf Course, also in Portsmouth. The Classic itself attracted 7 foursomes who enjoyed a beautiful autumn day in a spectacular golf setting. Two of our founders, Tom Phillips ‘59 and Bill Platzer ‘61 were in attendance. Charlie Kunkel ‘71 and Kim Nye ‘70, co-chairs of the event, report a profit of over $3700. This is in large part due to hole sponsorships. These funds were once again dedicated to The Dean S Brown/Archon Scholarship at the University. Even if you are not able to play in this fun event, you can still help make it a success by sponsorship of a personal ($100) or Corporate $(200) hole sponsorship. The alumni association has filed an application with the IRS to obtain charitable status under section 501c3. When the application is approved, your contributions to Archon will be tax deductible. If this status has not been obtained by the time the Classic is played, the tax deduction can still be taken through the University. The 2010 Archon Classic will be played at these same courses on October 1 and 2. You will receive more information on this soon, so please begin to make your plans.
Charlie and Kim are also the point men in another ambitious project designed to promote our alma mater. Conceived in 2004, the Bell Tower Ball (BTB) was an event held to commemorate Rio Grande’s 125th anniversary and to celebrate the final completion of the Bell Tower Project. Both the project and the BTB were huge successes. After a 6-year hiatus, the Archon Alumni Association has decided to play a leadership role in its resurrection. You will soon be receiving a prospectus detailing how you can participate and enjoy in this premier campus experience. You can view this information immediately on our web site at www.archonalumni.org.
“Service to the University from which we were founded”, has once again risen to a new level. Archon alumni presently are represented in record numbers on the Rio Alumni Board and the University Board of Trustees. Archons currently hold four positions on the Alumni Board. Charlie Kunkel ’71, Brad Krings ‘74, Bob Leith ’65 and Larry Guglielm ’73. In March, Tom Davisson ’70 will join Ron Glover ’61 and alumni representative Larry Guglielmi ’73 on the University Board of Trustees.
Archon active advisor Aaron Quinn has been promoted from Student Activities and Campus Safety Director, to Dean of Students. Aaron has had a very positive effect on our actives as well as the rest student body. Our actives are very lucky to have a man of such high profile and character to advise them.
An Archon active has also thrown his hat into the political ring. Senior David Broduer ran and won a seat on the Rio Grande’s Village Council. At Rio, Archons are definitely involved. Congratulations David!
Our university has a new president. Archon welcomes and congratulates Dr. Barbara Gellman-Danley on her new position at Rio. She can rest assured that we as Archons and loyal alumni, will support all the efforts she will be putting forth.
Do you remember the last time real football was played at Rio? If you don’t, you also probably don’t know that it was a team made up entirely of Archon actives. To learn more about this, and how you can help Rio Grande realize once again the thrill of real football, check out an article titled Rio… Football ?…Rio? on our web site. www.archonalumni.org
This mailing also contains a dues invoice. From our founding to the present, Archon has impacted and made a difference at Rio Grande. This has never been truer. We invite your to participation, both financially and personally.
Amaque,
Jason Brown’99
www.archonalumni.com
