The Orange County, California Alumni Club celebrated Founders Day on March 24, 2016 with a dinner at the Pacific Club in Newport Beach. Fifty five alumni and undergraduates attended the dinner. Jim Harvey, UC Irvine ‘84, served as master of ceremonies. Alumni were joined by undergraduates from California Theta at UC Irvine, California Rho at the University of La Verne and California Phi at Chapman University.

Omicron South Province President Jack Luce, Ohio State ‘64 provided an update on the state of the Fraternity and his province. Each undergraduate chapter reported on its progress. Allan Williams, Ashland ‘10, representing the Phi Delta Theta Foundation, discussed the Foundation’s current endowment drive and reported that California Theta alumni are close to completing the funding of a “Whole Man scholarship” for the chapter.

The keynote speaker for the event was Steven Kuykendall, Oklahoma State ‘68, former member of Congress. He discussed the current political environment and presidential race, encouraged the undergraduates to consider a career in public service, and reminded us that if we fail to get involved then someone else will make decisions for ourselves and our families.

Dave Davidson, USC ‘78 led a ceremony in which Steven Kuykendall, and Bruce Birkeland, USC ‘67 were inducted into the Golden Legion. Jack Luce entered the 55-year Palladian Legion, Jerry Reinhart, Stanford ‘59 entered the 60-year Palladian Legion, and Mace Magbee, Ohio ‘50 and William Putney, USC ‘51 entered the 65-year Palladian Legion. Two Phis received Silver Legion pins.

At last year’s dinner, the alumni in attendance were challenged to sponsor an undergraduate to attend the dinner in 2016. They responded with enthusiasm, and every undergraduate in attendance this year was sponsored by a generous alumnus.

(Photo: Former Congressman Steven Kukendall, Oklahoma State ‘68; California Delta (USC) Phis Bruce Buettell ’82, William Putney, ’51 and Bruce Birkeland ’67)