In the Green

of Southeast Ohio

President's Annual Report
2022

As I reflect on the events and occurrences of our Archon year 2021 for this annual report, I remember smiles, laughter, passion, and some sadness. Last year, we started to get back to some normalcy except for May Day.  More than several alumni events and get togethers allowed us to experience this range of emotions as we went about the work of our alumni association.  This has been a remarkable year for our active order.  They now number 19 members and are looking forward to another pledge class of quality men. Both our groups have joined forces to  develop opportunities to perpetuate and strengthen our brotherhood and do service to our university.

Events and activities conducted in 2021.

In April,  Brother Rusty Bookman ‘78 held a weekend retreat at his cabin in Meigs County. Great weekend!! Thank you brother Rusty!!! Some pictures were concealed to protect the innocent and for use of blackmail for yearly dues!! Hahaha

May Day 2021 was canceled by the executive board due to the concerns of covid and consensus of the alumni members.

Gun Raffle in June. The purpose of this raffle was to raise money to help fund the cost of the band for our 65th Anniversary May Day. The drawing was held at the 23rd Annual Archon Golf Classic in August.  This was a closed  raffle, exclusive to Archon only.  This fund raiser netted $850.00.  Thank you, brother Tad Lockard, owner of “Lock & Load Outfitters” for providing the gun at dealer cost.

In July, the Annual Archon Alumni meeting was held at the Pomeroy Gun Club. Many brothers attended the meeting and stayed the weekend including Archon actives who gave a report on the active order. The actives attending were active alumni representative Mason Deshong and active president Holden Fritz.  Thanks again to Brother Rusty Bookman for setting up this meeting venue and providing another classic evening.

  In August, the 23rd Annual Archon Golf Classic was held at Westchester Golf Course in Canal Winchester, Ohio. We had a total of 27 players and 36 in attendance for lunch and dinner. There were hole prizes on the front nine and backside for the longest drive, closest to the pin, and longest putt. We have held The Classic at this golf course for the past 3 years. After we gave out prizes, this year’s winners of the  “Founders Golf trophy” was presented to “Team Williams”.   Kurt Williams ’66 team scored a  –13 to capture the win and the coveted trophy!  Thank you to all that participated and sponsored holes. Your contributions are directed to our Archon Alumni administered scholarship.  This event netted a total of $3883.19 after expenses.  A big shout out to Brother Kurt Williams for sponsorship of lunch, dinner, and hole sponsor. We also held our gun drawing at this event.  Brother Russell Chafin ‘? won the Rossi Lever action in 357 magnum.  This event netted $850.00.   

In November, a crowd of alumni traveled to Kenyon College in Gambier Ohio to tailgate and watch our (8) active rugby team members continue their undefeated season in Rio’s first season everRUGBY IS AN EXCITING GAME TO WATCH!

Also, in November a pinning ceremony was conducted by our actives. Special thanks to the Active Order for inviting us and to Brother Ron Glover ‘61  for his generously donation of pins and for his stirring presentation of his time as an active and the meaning of the Archon pin. Besides Archon alumni, also in attendance for this presentation were some of our active’s parents, our Rio Rugby coach and Archon team members of the URG rugby team. After the presentation active president Holden Fritz presented Ron Glover the game ball signed by Archon team members.  That same day prior to the pinning presentation, Archon alumni gathered to cheer our active rugby players help defeat Steubenville Franciscan and win their division…still undefeated!    

 Whole Hog Heaven Raffle. This raffle was a joint effort of our active order and alumni association to raise funds for May Day. This was a raffle open to alumni, family, friends.   Thank you! To those who participated. This event netted $389.00. The drawing was held during our annual Christmas Party in Dublin, Ohio. 

We continued to have two annual Christmas parties this year.  Our original Christmas Party, the  Annual Joe Ullery Christmas party, was held December 8th, at Warehouse Steak n Stein, in “Historic Roscoe Village” Coshocton, Ohio. Thanks to Brother John Larson ‘70 for his fabulous hospitality and great food!!

Our second event, the Columbus Annual Christmas Party was held December 11th, at BJ Brewhouse Restaurant in Dublin Ohio.  Glad to see everyone again after missing last year due to covid. The drawing for the Whole Hog Heaven raffle was held and the lucky winner was Brother John Larson.

Archon Business

The general meeting was held on July 31st. Trustee and committee meetings are held quarterly.  These meetings are held through Zoom and conference call due to board members distances of travel, health and safety concerns.

Scholarship Committee Meetings

 January 20th, a scholarship committee conference call met to discuss Spring Semester 2021 applicants Joseph Beegle, Cameron Schreiter, Travis Hunt, Finn Tomlin and Holden Fritz met all criteria of the Archon Family Scholarship.  We awarded $1000.00 to each awardee for a total of $5000.00 from our URG Archon Scholarship Fund.

 August 27th, the scholarship committee met to discuss Fall Semester 2021 applications from the Active Order. Archon Actives Travis Hunt ($800.00), Deric King ($1,500.00), and Taylor Vaughn ($1,000.00) received scholarship awards for 2021 Fall semester. Total scholarship awarded $3300.00.  We used our URG administered Archon Scholarship Fund ($2893.) plus we supplemented the rest from our own Archon administered Scholarship account ($407) for the balance.

Executive Board Meetings:

Meetings occurred this past year on Jan. 26th, May 2nd, Sept. 13th and Nov. 10th of 2021. 

Meeting discussions centered on treasury reports, scholarships, May Day, Fund raising, Archon Classic, various University department donations.

THE PASSING OF BROTHERS:  

Archon brothers who will be sadly missed. Please remember George Needham ‘57 Founder, Ed Houck ‘66, George Summerville ‘?, James Leckrone ‘70, Timothy Twynham ‘72, Virgil Morar ‘64, Michael Padovani ‘61 Founder, Daniel Near ‘75, and Pete Gulmi ‘72.

“To us who remain, the roll call will always symbolize the departed friends and the promise of reunion in the future”.

2021 May Day 65th Anniversary:

This year’s May Day we will be honoring  those brothers who founded this organization. I’m sure that as young men attending a small college in rural southeastern Ohio, living, and studying in dorms as most all of us have done, that they had no idea they were laying a foundation that would endure 65 years.  The friendships and accomplishments that have evolved from this adventure are remarkable, and I for one am proud to be a part of it!    Then, as it is somewhat today, Rio Grande didn’t offer much in the way social life or establishments to gather. These young men took it upon themselves to provide social events on and off campus and provide service to the university from which they were founded. Thus began the vision of the organization we are today  We have a fine legacy and a lot to be proud of.  We have had our ebbs and flows, but our ability to adapt has allowed us to endure over the decades keeping intact our mission, tradition, and values. Here’s to the first 65 years and beyond…  “Our Strong Bonds”

I closing,  I share this email sent from Brother Art Barr to Brother Kurt Williams, Jan. 14th, 2022.  I believe it represents well what I have tried to say above.

Brother Kurt, just want to say “Thank You” for arranging the lunch for Joe last Wednesday. I enjoyed the group and the Brotherhood that we shared over a couple of hours together. Life goes by quickly and sitting at the table I saw a bunch of college kids who suddenly turned 70 something. It’s amazing that friendship have endured through the years. A true statement to the strong bonds of Brotherhood found in Archon. Of course it takes Brothers like you to arrange these small, but powerful get-togethers that keeps the brotherhood flowing.

Thanks very much for including me. I appreciate you, Brother Art.

“Our Strong Bonds”

Brad Varney ‘81

Archon Alumni
Author: Archon Alumni