“In the Green”
Of southeast Ohio
2023 Annual Letter
The successful future of our Alumni Order is absolutely tied to the success of the Active Order.
We all started as pledges, then actives, and when we moved on from the university, we became alumni of Archon. The alumni association has been around since 1966 and like the active order has constantly developed, always honoring the enduring principles left to us by our Founders. Like us, the active order also faces an evolving set of challenges. One of the most significant of these challenges is finding a way to pay for the education they came to Rio to attain. We as Archon alumni can relate to this. With this in mind, in January of 2023, the scholarship committee renewed its efforts to focus and enhance active scholarship funding. These scholarships are based on a rubric of financial need, academic record, and community service. Our primary source of funds for this scholarship comes from the Archon Golf Classic, and now the Blanton Bourbon Tasting event. Our first tasting event was held in January of 2023, and again this last January 2024. Brother Paul Haller ’86 has chaired and organized this very successful event. The proceeds from these events are 100 percent dedicated for the active scholarships administered Scholarship Committee. The funds from these events supplement the annual proceeds from our existing Archon Alumni Association Endowment administered by the University of Rio Grande. Our plan is to expand our Archon Active Scholarship Fund, administered by the alumni, while continuing each year to grow the amount we award. Included with this letter are detailed explanations of why and how we accomplish this.
Thanks to all the brothers who attend, donate, participate, and support our events. In doing so, you are much appreciated and fulfilling your obligations to Archon.
Archon Alumni Assoc. & Alumni members held many events in 2023:
January 20th. The scholarship committee held a fundraiser “Blanton Bourbon Tasting” at the ParksEdge Event Center, Jackson, Ohio. Included guest speaker Dominic Guglielmi, Speyside Bourbon Cooperage tour of factory, Live auction, Chinese auction, and dinner. Proceeds to benefit the Archon Alumni Scholarship Fund Active Order awardees.
March 4th. Archon Alumni Association co-hosted with the University of Rio Grande a Rio Alumni Party in Cleveland at Pickwick & Frolic Restaurant Club owned by our own brother Nick Kostis ‘64. Attendees could choose to purchase discounted tickets to the Cavs vs. Detroit Pistons game and/or comedy show at Nick’s.
March 20th: John “Jersey” Taylor hosted an Alumni luncheon in Gibsonville, NC, at the Kimber’s Steak House. Those attending were Ron Thornton ‘73, George Patterson ‘71, John Taylor ’83 and visiting from Ohio, Brad Varney ‘82, and Kelly Robson ‘81. Everyone shared stories of pledging and their experiences with brothers, events, and our Rio campus.
April 28 & 29. Friday evening, the annual Len Longo Party kicked off the 66th May Day weekend with golf, a euchre tournament and luncheon. Then relaxation time or socializing before Saturday night party. The weekend was capped off at Paul ’86 & Marla Haller home for brunch. You don’t want to miss this!
June 8th. Olive Garden. Columbus luncheon attended by Kurt Williams ‘66, Dane Rogers ‘73, Bill Holt ‘70, Art Barr ‘71, Kelly Robson ‘81, Larry Guglielmi ‘73, Joe Ullery ‘65 and George Patterson ‘71 visiting from North Carolina.
July 14, 15, & 16. The Archon Alumni annual retreat was held again at Brother Rusty Bookman’s ’81, ABnB in Racine, Ohio. This event is held concurrently with the Archon Alumni Association annual meeting held in nearby Pomeroy Ohio at the Pomeroy Gun Club. This is a weekend of cookouts, euchre, and who can tell the biggest story!! What happens at Rusty’s stays at Rusty’s!! We hope to see everyone this July 19th-Saturday 20th and the annual meeting at 1pm. The retreat ends Sunday 21st.
August 12th. Saturday, the 25th Anniversary Archon Golf Classic was held where it all began in Wilmington, Ohio at the Wilmington 797 Elks Golf Course. Event chairman Kevin Hollingsworth planned this memorable event with alumni, family and friends of Archon. After dinner, a silent auction and live auction was conducted by Brother Kim Nye ’70. This event for the benefit of our scholarship was a huge success. We thank all our brothers who sponsored holes (record), meals and those who participated in golf. Brothers came from Florida, Kentucky, and all over Ohio. The attention in this event continues to grow each year and is demonstratable with the growth of hole sponsorship by alumni.
September 30th. A Golf event and cookout, hosted by Brothers Kim Nye ‘70 and Charley Kunkel ’70, took place at Kim’s home Rubyville, Ohio. Following golf and cookout brothers played euchre, corn hole, and watched football.
November 4th. North Carolina Holliday luncheon was hosted by John “Jersey” Taylor. The luncheon was held at Kemper’s Steakhouse in Gibsonville NC. Attending was George Patterson ’71, Ron Thornton ’73, Bill Lefavor ’68, Jim Barnes ’81, John “jersey” Taylor ’79, and attending from Ohio, Kelly Robson ’78 and Brad Varney ’81.
Christmas Party’s December 13 & 16. Wednesday Dec. 13, the Annual Joe Ullery Christmas Party luncheon at Warehouse Steak n Stein owned by Brother John Larson ’70 in Coshocton, Ohio, at Roscoe Village. This luncheon is our longest running holiday event. Great atmosphere, food, & most importantly the brotherhood. Saturday Dec. 16, we held our Christmas Archon Legacy Luncheon at BJ Brewhouse & Restaurant at the Tuttle Mall on I-270 in Columbus. These are great events for brothers and families to share the spirit of Christmas.
Archon Business
Trustee and committee meetings are held quarterly. These meetings are held through Zoom and conference calls. Presently, we have chaired committees for May Day, Archon Classic, Scholarship, and Investment. Committee chairs are assigned by the president and chairman of the different committees appoint members to that committee. Board of Trustees are elected at the annual meeting. Contact Brad Varney archon.alumni13@gmail.com to enquire about information or express your interest in becoming involved. The Fraternal Order of Archon Alumni seek diversified in expertise and knowledge to lead our fraternal organization into the future.
Scholarship Committee Meetings
Meetings for the new year began on January 3rd, 18th. Discussion on the January 20th Blanton Bourbon Tasting event with a follow up meeting on February 5th on the results of event. A meeting was held on April 23rd discussing the University administered endowment award in the amount of $2,843 FTY 2023-24. The amount in this endowment as of June 30th, 2022, was $56,138. Spring semester 2023 active awardees include Travis Hunt and Joshua Gilmore-Vaughn received $1500 each from a combination of both the University and Alumni administered endowments. May 17th Meeting for the approve of a budget and location for the annual Archon Classic. October 25th Selection and approval of active scholarship 2023-24 awardees, Dean Britt, Zolan Walker, Britt Stephenson, & Ethan Pannell. Each will receive $1500 per semester (fall & spring). Total $12,000. Nov. 15th, Dec. 5th, began planning on Blanton Bourbon Tasting Event 2024.
Board of Trustees
Meetings were held Jan. 11th, February 15th, March 29th, May 10th, July 12th, July 15th, Oct. 4th, Oct. 25th, Dec. 11th. July 15th . The annual meeting approved previous years agenda also held election of board of trustee’s members. All current trustees were unanimously reinstated.
Deceased Brothers
Please remember Lloyd Wetzel ‘76, Lynn Strayer ‘69, Bob Heigle ‘67, and David Warren ’76. “To us who remain, the roll call will always symbolize the departed friends and the promise of reunion in the future.”
“Never Let a member down, as a student, man, or as a brother!”
Amaque
President
Brad Varney ‘81
Executive Board President Brad Varney ‘82, Vice-President Rusty Bookman ’81, Treasurer Michael C Warner ’79, John Jersey Taylor ’83, Kelly Robson ’81, and Sargent of Arms Kurt Williams ’66.
Scholarship Committee Chairman Rusty Bookman ’81, committee members include Taylor Omran ‘012, Michael C Warner ’79, Kurt Williams ‘66, Brad Varney ‘82, Paul Haller ‘86 and Larry Guglielmi ‘73. Archon Classic Sub-Committee Chairman Kevin Hollingsworth ’79. May Day Sub-committee, Chairman John Jersey Taylor.
