“In The Green”
Of Southeast Ohio
Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2022
2022…a most significant year for Archon! Plans began at the start of the new year with a plan to develop a theme to recognize our Founders on the occasion of our 65th May Day Banquet. Founder Jim Russell ’62 was in attendance along with Brother Ron Glover ‘61 acting as Master of Ceremonies. They recounted the history of the founding of Archon, along with the origin of our name and purpose. They answered questions from over 20 brothers, eager to know about the basis and starting point of our order. Also in attendance was brother Russell Chafin ‘61 one of our earliest presidents, along with Len Longo ‘63, and Kurt Williams ‘66 one of the founders of our Alumni Association and writer of our first alumni constitution. These Brothers each represent over 65 years of brotherhood. Their involvement started with their acceptance of a bid to join Archon, and continues to this day, supporting the fraternity, alumni association, and the University.
“Who would have ever thought my roommate (Mike Padovani ‘60), 65 years ago would have an idea that impacted so many young men?
It was a fun time and an opportunity to learn leadership skills that were transferred into our professional careers.”
-Founder Jim Russell ’62
We held many events and activities:
February 17th. The brothers got together in Coshocton, Ohio. at the Warehouse Steak-n-Stein for lunch and dinner and then met up at the Wooly Pig Brewery to cap the night.
April 29 & 30. Our 65th May Day Party & Len Longo ’63 Cook Out Party. Brother Len Longo was honored with a Proclamation from the Archon Alumni for his Friday party.
“Be it resolved that the Archon Alumni, recognize and express with gratitude,
what brother Len Longo has accomplished by bringing to fruition, what has become a
necessary tradition of our brotherhood.”
July 15, 16, &17. Brother Rusty Bookman ‘81 again held a weekend retreat at his cabin in Meigs County. Brothers started out the weekend in great fashion, playing corn hole, euchre, four wheeling and just sitting around reminiscing.
Saturday July 16. Our annual meeting was again held at the Pomeroy Gun Club, Pomeroy Ohio.
This year’s 2023 annual meeting will take place on July 14,15,16. Rusty Bookman has invited brothers to stay at his cabins, a RV or if you prefer to rough with a tent on over 30 wooded acres. The meeting location and time is Saturday, July 15, at 1pm, Pomeroy Gun Club, Pomeroy Ohio. More information will be sent out with directions for both events before the event dates. This meeting and retreat are becoming one of our most popular among brothers to attend.
August 13. The 24th Archon Classic was held in Canal Winchester, Ohio at the Westchester Golf Course. Hole prizes (gift cards), and a sleeve of golf balls were awarded and handed out to all who participated. After a very competitive and hard fought round of 18, two teams battled it out to break a tie that allowed the winning team to claim their place in Archon history. The winner of the Classic Founders Trophy went to the Brothers Kevin Hollingsworth ‘80, Tom Clark ‘77 and guests, coming in at 13 under. Our Classic is continuing to grow and continues to be our #1 fundraiser for the Archon Scholarship. Since 2009 we have awarded over $35,000 dollars in scholarships to men in our active order. I believe that Brother Dean Brown would be delighted by the devotion of our brothers’ to be drawn to play in this annual event. Kudos to Charley Kunkel, Kim Nye and Kevin Hollingsworth, who are still involved in organizing and promoting the Archon Classic. This year’s event made over $4400.00. Most of our expenses were covered or donated by brothers Kurt Williams, Charley Kunkel, Kim Nye, Kevin Hollingsworth, and Brad Varney. Golf balls were donated by Matt Bosart of Ameriprise Financial Services, Hilliard, Ohio. Most of all, we are thankful to our brothers who contributed to individual and corporate hole sponsorship, the real bread-n-butter of this effort. We thank you for your loyal support and participation growing our scholarship fund. Thank you Brother Dan Shier ’78, for traveling the farthest from Orlando, Florida.
On August 18. Some brothers gathered at “DaVinci Café” Columbus, Ohio. Those attending were Brothers TJ Riggs, Kelly Robson, Art Barr, Joe Ullery, Kurt Williams.
September 16, 17, 18. A Lake Erie perch fishing trip took place in Port Clinton, Ohio with brothers Len Longo, Patrea Brown, Kurt Williams, Jeff Webb, Larry Guglielmi, Taylor Omran, Michael Warner, Wayne Dearing, and Brad Varney. Thanks to Mike Brown, a Rio grad and son of deceased brother Tom Brown for arranging the charter to honor his father. We also met with Helen, Tom’s wife, for lunch and visited her at their home. Helen was an Athena (Chio) at Rio.
On October 8. Brothers Kim Nye and Charlie Kunkel held a Golf event at the Portsmouth Elks Club Golf Course and a cookout, OSU football followed at Kim’s home. Great time!! Brother Kim wants to do this event again this year 2023. Watch for details.
Christmas Party’s December 14, 17. On Wednesday Dec. 14, we held our Annual Joe Ullery Christmas Party at Warehouse Steak n Stein, Coshocton, Ohio. Thank You! brother John Larson for the great hospitality and delicious luncheon as always. The Christmas spirit was abounding, and everyone appreciated the comradery. We paused for a moment of prayer for those brothers lost to us this year.
Brothers who we will miss:
Please remember Timothy J Twyman ’72, Daniel L. Near ’75, Nicholas P. Diniaco ’64, William Callahan ’77, Thomas M. Brown ’65, Thomas TJ Riggs ’71.
“To us who remain, the roll call will always symbolize the departed friends and the promise of reunion in the future.”
December 16,17. On Friday the 16th brothers met in Columbus for a ceremony of life for brother TJ Riggs who passed away on November 3rd, 2023. Many brothers showed up from all over Ohio to express their last respect for brother TJ. Afterwards several brothers met at the Hollywood Casino for dinner. The next day, Saturday December 17th, we held our renamed Archon Legacy Luncheon at BJ Brewhouse Restaurant & Brewery in Dublin Ohio.
Archon Business
Trustee and committee meetings are held quarterly. These meetings are held through Zoom and conference call.
Our committees. May Day, Golf Classic, Scholarship. Members are assigned by president or chairman of the committee. Contact Brad Varney archon.alumni13@gmail.com to enquire about more information or express your interest in becoming involved in serving on the board or on a committee. The Fraternal Order of Archon Alumni should always strive to be diversified in the expertise and knowledge needed to lead our fraternal organization into the future.
Scholarship Committee Meetings:
On January 30th, August 31, & December 4. These meetings were held to discuss and award scholarships for the Fall semester ’22 to Spring semester ’23. Active Brothers who received scholarships were Travis Hunt, Finn Tomlin. Both were awarded $1500.00/ semester.
On December 4th, a meeting was held to award a replacement scholarship due to active Finn Tomlin graduating in the 2022 fall semester early. The scholarship board, using previous applications submitted and subsequently awarded Joshua Gilmore-Vaughn a scholarship for $1500.00 spring semester 2023.
All Fall semester funds come out of URG Endowment Scholarship Fund administered by the university and Spring semester funds come out of the Archon Scholarship Fund that we administer.
Also, during this meeting, the board discussed and proposed ideas for another fundraiser to generate more money for our scholarship fund. A new event “The Blanton Bourbon Tasting” was held in Jackson Ohio in January at the Parks Edge Convention Center. This event was a tremendous success, and I cannot wait until next year!
As you are all aware we do not deposit any more funds into the URG Endowment Fund. All funds raised go into an Archon Alumni Fund managed by the Scholarship Committee We will report additional information on the scholarship fund, such as, balance and how it is managed and invested, at the annual meeting in July.
“To All Brothers,
Since pledging Archon back in 1981, it has meant a lot to me to be a part of this brotherhood. When I took my oath, I did not realize that I would still be a part of this fraternity in my sixties, still experiencing brotherhood, not just with my era, but all eras that cover our 65-year history.
Like many of you, I was absent during those earlier years after graduating from Rio. I think we all can relate to this. Family, career, moves…life, are naturally inevitable and necessary. When the 50th Archon Anniversary was announced, I was excited to get my invitation, but work kept me from being there on time. But I made it…late! It was something that I did not want to miss. I saw so many brothers that I had not seen in such a long time. It was also exciting meeting other alumni and active members. This is when I decided to get involved.” Brad Varney ’81
The Fraternal Order of Archon and Archon Alumni Association have gone through many challenges and changes. I believe this has been our greatest achievement and the reason success to our longevity.
“Never Let a Member Down as a Student, Man, and as a brother”
Amaque
President
Brad Varney ‘81
