About Lambda Chi Alpha at Michigan State University

Chartered Locally in 1922, Lambda Chi Alpha is the first men’s Greek-Letter Fraternity to come to campus since the ban from the 1880s was lifted, and in fact was the fraternity responsible for lobbying for the end of that ban, along with the ladies that would soon form Alpha Phi. Descended from the forensic Literary Society, which was chartered in 1907, the local chapter is actually older than our national fraternity, which was started only in 1909. One of the three largest fraternities nationally in terms of membership and chapters, Lambda Chi Alpha boasts as the youngest of these top three national fraternities (which includes the Gentlemen from Sigma Chi and Sigma Alpha Epsilon) by nearly 60 years.

This year, in preparation for the 2009 Centennial Year, the national fraternity revamped and updated the shape of the fraternity, yet still holds to the ideals we stand for. Structured solely around building the individual rather than the chapter, members are encouraged to be active in all aspects of the chapter, Greek Community, Campus Community and Lambda Chi Alpha National ‘Conclave’ or region. This program, called the “True Brother” initiative was actually taken partly from our local new-member active brother programs, and we are proud to have been able to boast it’s results: 97% retention from rush to initiation and a strong sense of camaraderie and brotherhood that is not quantifiable.

Lambda Chi Alpha also has a local scholarship fund, an alumni-undergraduate employment and internship program known as the Joe T. Charles Mentor Program, and is currently in the process of purchasing our 8900 square foot fraternity house that we built in 1927 back from our national fraternity’s real estate company, LCAP.

Chapter Contacts Chapter President Joseph Manzella II manzell3@msu.edu Recruitment Chairman/men Eric Lessens lessensl@msu.edu Social Chairman/men Jeff Wyzywany wyzywany@msu.edu Philanthropy Chairman/men Troy Brownrigg brownr46@msu.edu

Recent Awards and Honors 2007 Greek Week Champs 2006 Chapter of the Year 2006 Greek Week Champs 2006 IFC Public Relations Award 2006 IFC Campus Relations Award 2006 IFC Service and Philanthropy Award 2006 IFC Greek Community Relations Award 2006 IFC Financial Management Award 2006 IFC Chapter Standards Award 2006 IFC Leadership Development Award 2006 IFC Risk Management Award 2006 Greek Rookie Man of the Year- Paul Shkreli 2006 Greek Academic Man of the Year- Marcus Belanger 2006 Greek Ivy Award- Fr. Mark Inglot, Pastor, St. John's Catholic Student Parish 2005 Greek Rookie Man of the Year- Joe Manzella 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Lambda Chi Alpha National Scholastic Excellence 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 Lambda Chi Alpha National Recruitment Excellence

Philanthropy Event: Junior 500

Started in 1948, the Jr. 500 gained national notoriety as the largest student-run event on any campus. It is a pushcart race that, in its heyday, attracted nearly 13,000 spectators (which was 2/3 of MSU’s student body at that time), and was marshaled by the Governor of Michigan, Gordie Howe, The mayors of Lansing, East Lansing and Detroit as well as other notables. After an 8-year hiatus, the event was restarted in 2006 with over 400 attendees and 24 race-groups and has only grown since. FIGHT CANCER! Fundraisers. Throughout each semester, we will get creative and come up with a new way to raise money to fight cancer. We have been selling bracelets to students, alumni, faculty, city officials and police officers to both raise awareness about the fight against cancer and greek philanthropic efforts. Any event we hold is free to people who have already bought a bracelet, so don’t miss out on the next one and get yours today.