Letters to the Editor
Todd Shelton | 1/18/2005 "One of my great KA memories is picking Ely Callaway up when he participated in the first KA Leadership Lecture Series in Scottsdale, Ariz."Dear Editor:
My son, Leland Grant Close, III, was Number I for the Delta Chapter at Wofford College last year. It was indeed my privilege to personally interact with the outstanding young men who make up that group over a period of four years. My son graduated last year, however, the volunteer services offered to me, and this community, by the brothers of Delta Chapter continue. I am writing to make you aware of their good work.
In September 2004, the Charles Lea Center Foundation sponsored the 18th Annual Road Rally to benefit retarded and special citizens in Spartanburg County. My husband and I were the Road Masters, meaning that we wrote the rally which focused on Spartanburg as a college town. We were asked to include the KA House at Wofford since many “ralliers” had fond memories of dancing there. I only had to make one telephone call to Edward Crosswell, Number I, and twenty six brothers availed themselves to help with the rally. Those young men gave up a Sunday afternoon to volunteer. Furthermore, they made sure that Jeff Liner, known to them as “Chicken Bone” was included. Mr. Liner is a resident of one of the Charles Lea Center group homes. He works in the cafeteria on the Wofford campus and loves Wofford athletics and the KAs. Each week one brother insures that “Chicken Bone” gets to ball games, to the KA House and gets some of his favorite food - chicken. For many years they have cared for and loved Jeff. In fact, they make special trips to Atlanta so he can see the Braves play baseball. I find such selfless acts extraordinary in light of the negative publicity surrounding many social fraternities. The Charles Lea Rally netted $43,000! That money is used to directly support those in greatest need.
In October, for the fifth consecutive year the KAs of Delta Chapter unloaded hundreds of new winter coats at the First Presbyterian Church to assist with their Winter Warmth Program. It is noteworthy that the seventeen young men spent the Friday afternoon of Parent’s Weekend at Wofford to continue this tradition. They were able to unload cases, unpack 1,100 coats and size them in a relatively short period of time. In prior years, before the KAs agreed to help with this effort, church volunteers had to work late into the night to get everything ready for the Saturday morning distribution. On October 30, 962 coats were distributed to school age children in need of a warm coat.
My husband, Leland Close, joins me in commending the Delta Chapter brotherhood for their volunteer efforts. Importantly, they simply agreed to help with these initiatives and did not report their work to the Greek Life Coordinator at Wofford College; therefore, I am.
Sincerely,
Gloria W. Close
Dear Editor:
The story on KAs in the golf world was an extensive one, but omitted at least one person of import in the world’s most frustrating sport - Ross Berlin, a Tau chapter initiate who is the PGA Tour’s vice president of title sponsor relations. Ross has been with the PGA for many years, and has played a major role in the phenomenal growth of the PGA tour. More importantly, though, he is about as nice a guy as you would ever want to meet.
One of my great KA memories is picking Ely Callaway up when he participated in the first KA Leadership Lecture Series in Scottsdale, Ariz. During the conversation from the airport, he turned and asked me what clubs I used; greatly embarrassed, I told him that I didn’t play Callaway clubs. He said, “that’s ok, because I’m sure that when you get to be a better golfer you’ll buy new clubs, and when you do, I’m sure you’ll buy Callaway clubs, right?” Always the salesman. And, yes, I do now play Callaway clubs - not because I’m any better, but because I threw the other clubs in the lake.
Fraternally,
David Carico
Epsilon ‘84
Dear Editor:
What a thrill it was to see our son, Len Williams’ photo in the Kappa Alpha Journal. We must admit, there was a time in his younger life that we were not sure what direction he would go; but it’s quite obvious what path he has taken. We want to give God the glory for having His hands on Len. We are also grateful for Kappa Alpha and Newberry College.
We can honestly say Len enjoys his position with KA and we are thankful to Kappa Alpha for giving him the opportunity to serve in a leadership capacity.
Sincerely,
LaVerne & Marianne McKenzie
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