“Gee, that was over 50 years ago,” Bruce exclaimed. “AXP was probably the lowest cost of the houses I rushed but it was much more about the process and the Brothers who welcomed me during rush, most notably Brian Nealy ‘74 who picked me up at my dorm and took me back several times.
“I felt that the Brothers were genuinely more interested in me as a prospective member and less as ‘just filling a quota.’ The membership count was low at the time, so it was easier to get to know all the Brothers versus a larger house.”
The physical structure of the chapter house had an impact on Bruce’s membership and his recollection of his time in the chapter as an undergraduate. “AXP was certainly an older house and less ostentatious compared with others I visited, but it was very well maintained,” he said, “certainly a place that I was proud to bring my parents to visit. The Club Room was like my living room at home, so I felt more comfortable there.”
While the house inspired memories, some of them involved challenges. “The roof leaked and the heating pipes banged, but we all loved that place just the same,” Bruce described. “It was HOME! I felt welcome as a member ‘In The Bond.’”
In addition to recollections about the house and the beginning of his time in the chapter, Bruce also fondly looked back on a road trip that sounds like something out of a Hollywood comedy. “Four of us set out in a ’71 Mercury Capri to drive to the Sugar Bowl in December ’72,” he said. “Once there, we all piled into a room rented to two of our Brothers – but in fact there were 10 of us staying there! One of us slept in the bathtub – it might have been me! I think I remember the game, sort of!”
The Fraternity impacted more than just Bruce’s travels while in school. “Without Alpha Chi Rho,” he laughed, “I wouldn’t have taken eight years to graduate!
“In all seriousness, at least half a dozen Brothers who lived in the house when I did are still close friends. We get together as often as possible and have made each other parts of our lives for over 50 years. I would not have met any of them without joining AXP!”
“When the opportunity arose in 2003 for a group of us to buy the house back that we had lost in the ‘80s, I jumped on the challenge and met the rest of the great guys who are currently on the Property Association,” Bruce said. “I’m the patriarch of the group!
“As far as ‘preparation for life’ – I am also an Eagle Scout, as are others in our ranks. I learned solid values in Scouting and it was great to see that AXP shared all of those values and provided reinforcement. Learning how to be a leader among men and how to be largely self-sufficient, but able to help others when called upon – those are great lessons that have carried me through my life and career.”
Volunteering his time is something else Bruce has carried forward in his life. “I’m called to volunteer at several levels and in many environments to give back what others have given to me. I was a Scoutmaster for 18 years and am still active as a Unit Commissioner,” he said.
“I have been an active member of the Phi Lambda Property Association for two decades now. The survival of AXP, and Fraternities in general, is dependent on those of us who have benefited from the affiliation to provide the positive, formative environment for current undergrads … and we must recruit others who share our values to carry on after we’re gone.
“I have been giving time and treasure to ‘our cause’ throughout the past two decades,” he continued. “I want to lead by example in this current campaign as I encourage others to recognize the value we provide and to help us sustain the experience for youth today – and in years to come.
“All of us want to provide the best possible environment for our undergrads, knowing that having a decent, well-maintained house is tantamount to recruiting the best candidates. We have an aggressive plan, and funding it is a challenge, but achievable if we all participate at some level.
“I want to see the young men who pass through our halls become leaders in, and benefactors of, society,” Bruce said. “I believe any young person going to college should have the Greek experience! Sure, we managed to get into our share of trouble, but, in balance, we returned a lot to society, as undergrads and as we continued on with our lives.
“Experiences and values gained while a member of AXP certainly helped me throughout my life, now in its twilight. We all have a duty to ourselves and others to do our best to make sure the traditions continue!”
