Order of Merit 2006

The Lambda Chi Alpha
ORDER OF MERIT
Since 1935, the Fraternity has recognized outstanding, lengthy, and dedicated service--particularly at the local chapter level--with election to the Order of Merit. It represents the highest honor a brother can receive for volunteer service. The Grand High Zeta may select no more than 10 men every two years for the distinction, with a careful study of each man's volunteer record.

"How important was (and is) Skip Orio to Zeta-Theta Zeta? I would venture the opinion that if there were no Skip Orio, there would be no Zeta-Theta, at least not the Zeta-Theta that Lambda Chi Alpha could be proud of, the Zeta-Theta that received three Grand High Alpha awards, and the Zeta-Theta that has bounced back from adversity on several occasions, each time becoming a better chapter than it had been."
~ George W. Spasyk,
Executive Director Emeritus

"I add my name in support of Skip's nomination for this significant Order which recognizes only the very very top among our brothers in terms of excellence in service to our Bond."
~ S. George Dirghalli, Past Grand High Alpha

Congratulations to Brother ED ORIO who has been selected to receive the ORDER OF MERIT this July at the Lambda Chi Alpha General Assembly in Orlando, Florida.
Ed is one of only 10 recipients this year, and is only the third brother in the history of Zeta Theta to be chosen. The other recipients are brothers Joe Morgan, and A.J. Walton.

Brothers,
By now you may know that The Grand High Zeta - on advice and help with a campaign headed by Joe Weller and assisted by several others - has chosen Zeta Theta in general and me as a recipient of the Order of Merit. This award is the third that has been given to Zeta Theta.

It may have my name on it, but it is for all of us, who over the years have had faith in the teachings of our fraternity, hope for her future, and love for our brothers. It was given supposedly for years (decades) of following an idea and not for one specific event although all of us know that the re-chartering of Zeta Theta precipitated the action that resulted in the award. I have all of you, my brothers to thank for the award: those of you who supported the zeta with your time, your counsel, and your financial contributions.

It is not my style, nor is it many of yours, to accept thanks for doing something that we swore we would do as we traversed the delta. In fact, our accepting thanks seems almost to be a travesty of our oath.

I specifically wish to thank Joe Weller and those who helped him forward my name to National. I understand that Joe's wife and daughter read the letters and organized them into a book that was sent to National in support of the nomination. I thank all who have, over the years, pampered me, loved me, and accepted me as a brother. That is, as someone said, the best award of all.

The chartering (rechartering) of our zeta last summer was the work of many, many people. Scott, Lucas, Glenn, and Steve all gave tirelessly and unselfishly of themselves in all facets of work. The actives and the group of associates worked so very hard during the summer to get Watauga looking so very good. Most of all, the credit goes to that group of brave men who, in the winter of 2002, joined an organization knowing nothing except that there was a goal supported by twelve ideas. They started something that will enable our light to shine brightly on our campus so that new classes of Lambda Chis can have what we had, can dream as we did, and can live as we have. Isn't that what it is all about?
In ZAX,
~ EBO

Special thanks to Joe Weller who was the driving force behind the effort to secure this award for Skip. He sent out all the e-mails and along with his wife Joy and daughter Terry spent many, many hours putting together a very impressive presentation book containing letters of recommendation submitted by active and alumni brothers.

Listed below is information concerning Ed (Skippy) Orio receiving the 'Order of Merit'.
We are getting up a group of brothers who have expressed an interest of going to see Skippy receive the OM. This is the information needed to make your schedule. Please let me know if you are interested in going.
The luncheon where the award will be presented is on Saturday, 22 July at 12:00 p.m. The cost is $50.00. There is "The Purple, Green, and Gold Brotherhood Banquet" (formal) on that Saturday night. The cost for that is $75.00. Those alumni brothers who are just coming for the specific luncheon and/or banquet should contact Ms. Teresa Carlson (317-803-7333), The Lambda Chi Alpha Educational Foundation, 8741 Founders Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268. The check for either/both should be mailed to her.
The General Assembly is in The Buena Vista Palace Hotel, 1900 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830-2206 from Thursday, 20 July through Sunday, 23 July. If alumni wish to spend the night, they should contact the hotel directly and request the LXA rates. www.buenavistapalace.com
~ Ken Stalls ΖΘ 266

Congratulations on this wonderful honor to the chapter and to Skippy. Joe, thanks for including me in working on this. Skippy, you are forever modest and that is why we love you. We were just trying to give a little back to you for all that you did for each of us.

Yours in ZAX,

~ Jim Brasher, ΖΘ 262

Skip, in all my years of reading business correspondence, I have never read a more sincere heartfelt letter than the one you sent to Glenn as a thank you for the honor that has been given you. Your thank you indicates that the OM is given to one who deserves it. You are truly a class act.
~ John Thompson, ΖΘ 572

Great news about Skip's being elected to receive the Order of Merit. My congratulations to Joe for a job well done in leading the effort for this much deserved recognition of Skip's many contributions to our Fraternity. I regret not being able to attend Friday night's "banquet" for Skip as I will be traveling to Tokyo for our Board and Shareholders meetings. Please convey my best wishes to Skip and the other Brothers.
~ Lanny Vaughn, ΖΘ 232

Click here to see pictures from the
Ed Orio Order of Merit Banquet