Lambda Chi Alpha at the University of New Hampshire

The centennial celebration of the founding of Lambda Chi Alpha comes at a very special time for the members of Alpha-Xi Zeta. Along with being able to celebrate the centennial of the Fraternity, the current undergraduate members are excited to continue our first year being debt-free. Not without sacrifice and suffering, the chapter has excelled in many ways in the past semester in areas of philanthropy and community service, recruitment, and education.

After fundraising events such as Lambda Chi Alpha's bi-annual Brand Name Clothing Sale helped to rid us of our debt, the chapter has been able to turn much of its focus on bettering the Durham community. The chapter was awarded with a Gold Award for Community Service and Philanthropy through the Office of Greek Life's "Greek Performance Evaluation Program (GPEP)." With over 400 hours of community service performed within the chapter, Lambda Chi Alpha demonstrated the highest levels of Community Service and Philanthropy among UNH fraternities.

This year's annual North American Food Drive (NAFD) was met with considerable success. In association with the sisters of the Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority we were able to raise well over 2,000 pounds of food to donate to local food pantries. The chapter also donated $250 to a local food pantry with funds raised from the Brand Name Clothing Sale.

We have many upcoming philanthropy events for the spring. We will be holding our bi-annual Brand Name Clothing Sale from Monday, May 4 to Wednesday, May 6 in the Memorial Union Building's Strafford Room (recipient of proceeds TBA). We will also be holding our annual Teeter- Totter-Athon with the sisters of Alpha Phi on May 7-8 as well as our annual BBQ with Kappa Delta. Proceeds from both events will be donated to the Brian Hanafin Memorial Scholarship Fund. This spring we will become stewards of Seabrook Beach with the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega as a monthly service project.

The chapter is still focusing on two other vital areas of development: recruitment and education. The chapter saw great success last semester when we initiated 10 new members. The chapter is also pleased to announce four Associate Members for the spring semester. As far as education goes, the chapter is seeking out ways to improve both its academic and fraternal education. As we rank in the lower half of overall GPA rankings among UNH fraternities, High Sigma Parris Ballentine (Academic Chair) has been actively seeking out incentives and developing strategies for individuals to raise their GPAs as well as implementing study hours and study groups. As far as fraternal education, our High Kappa Chris Keeley (Fraternity Educator) has been conducting weekly sessions to better our understanding in the values and heritage of Lambda Chi Alpha.

The Chapter is also pleased to announce our new advisor George O'Connell. George has worked at the University for many years and currently oversees affairs at the University's Office of Conduct and Mediation. The chapter is thrilled to obtain the guidance of an advisor for the first time in many years.

The members of Alpha-Xi Zeta are continuing to grow through personal and chapter development. It is wonderful to hear from alumni, as you can be wonderful tools in continuing to improve chapter operations. Please contact High Rho Richard Kennedy (Alumni Chair) with any questions relating to alumni involvement.

In ZAX,

Brandon Kraus, President
(207) 615-4396
brp5@unh.edu

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