Category: Alumni News

I just want to say how deeply moved I am to receive the Dwight Palmer “Pop” Ely Award.  For those of you who didn’t get to see the original sculpture, the award was beautifully designed and fabricated in concrete by our very talented actives.    I hesitate to mention names for fear of leaving someone out, but I hope someone will post the name(s) of the responsible brother(s) for this award so they will receive the credit they deserve.  The “Pop” Ely Award is proudly displayed in my dining room.

Saturday was filled with emotion and I was very blessed to spend it with many of my brothers.   It was gratifying that our first Founders’ Day celebration in more than a dozen years was so well attended.  It really helps that we have over 30 actives, but it was good to see all the alumni there, too.  I’m now looking forward to our summer gathering.

The entire Metagenes family would have been proud that our fraternity, as a group, honored the victims of 4.16.07 in a very dignified and touching way.  Thank you, Brother Consoli, for coordinating our tribute.  The plaque we presented at the altar in the War Memorial Chapel will forever remain part of the archives of Virginia Tech.

Thank you again, actives and alumni, for making Founders’ Day 2007 very special for this alum.  I will never forget this honor, and will be forever proud to wear the badge of the Alpha Rho Chi Fraternity.

In Brotherhood,

Kim

Brian Earle presents Kim with the Master Baster award

Ray Consoli and wife Joan Pryde

Brian Earle, Matt Williams, and Kristen Ruch, lounging in the shade

Kim Clark, Ray Consoli, John Shelor

Allen McDonald, Kim Clark, John Shelor

“It has the ring of…what the…Made in China?!?”

Aaron, Kristen, Shannon Follweiller, Justin, Kent McCullough, food

Phil Buckberg

Founders’ Day 2007 at Virginia Tech (held April 21) was a time for Metagenes actives and alumni to celebrate our future, honor our past, and remember the tragedy of April 16. With most college activities cancelled, we chose instead to meet at Mike’s Grill for lunch (best burgers in town!). On the clear and bright Saturday afternoon, Rick Jenkins, Jeff Kendrick and I wandered the Virginia Tech campus, visiting the old dorms, new buildings, and, of course, the bookstore. We spent a part of the afternoon viewing the many memorials on the Drill Field in the center of campus. The events of last Monday have brought an uncomfortable, unwelcome sort of attention to our campus, and I think that part of my reason for visiting was to restore my personal connection to my alma mater, separate from the very public images that now define Virginia Tech for the rest of the world.

All of the Metagenes brothers still in town planned a wonderful afternoon for us. We set up our picnic in a town park, and the active chapter brought out a feast of burgers and hot dogs, salads and desserts. The highlight of the event was a presentation by the chapter to Kim Clark, our beloved alumni brother and, now, recipient of the Dwight “Pop” Ely Award. Rick Jenkins followed by welcoming the graduating seniors into the Metagenes Alumni Association, and proud new mom and current MAA president Michelle LeTourner quickly offered them all the chance to take over board positions! Finally, alumni Ray Consoli and his wife, Joan, invited everyone to visit the Virginia Tech War Memorial Chapel after the picnic, to present flowers as a memorial from the Metagenes Chapter.

Gary Ehrlich (Vitruvius alumnus), Michelle Letourner (Metagenes alumna) with Delta Sigma pledge class member Meridian.

This was a most special day for the chapter, who insisted on holding the picnic in the wake of the tragic events. Together, actives and alumni were able to put the formal, public mourning time behind us, to celebrate with each other, and to discuss our plans for the future. At a time when Hokies most needed to come together, Founders’ Day offered the perfect venue for all of us to connect and move on. Happy Birthday, Alpha Rho Chi and Metagenes.

Click on a thumbnail to see full pic

Kim Clark, Brian Earle, Matt Williams, Kent McCullough, and Liz Norwood

Michelle Ringley, Kristen Ruch, Nate Williams, Liz Norwood, Holly Harshman, Shannon Follweiller, Regional Director and Vitruvius alumni Aaron Feldman-Grosse in back

Kim Clark proudly displaying the Pop Ely award

Relics from the 20th century: Allen McDonald, Phil Buckberg, Ray Consoli, Kim Clark, John Shelor

Jeff Kendrick, Worthy Grand Scribe Rick Jenkins, Liz Clark Lerch, Mary Brady Deverter, Ray Consoli

Brian Earle, Matt Williams’ shirt, Kim Clark, Kent McCullough’s hair (above Kim), Liz Norwood, Nate Williams, long-suffering spouse Bonnie Clark, Michelle Ringley, Allen McDonald, Hyewon Kim, Carlyn Luu, Lexa Rio, James Harte and, in back, John Shelor, Michelle LeTourner, Gary Ehrlich and Joan Pryde.