News

November 30, 2009
Kappa Delta Phi mourns the loss of Reverend Robert Leno
Our friend and brother has entered Chapter Eternal

Robert Leno

MONTPELIER – Rev. Robert "Bob" Leno, 7 5 , died Sunday, Nov. 2 9 , 2 0 0 9 , at Berlin Health & ReHabilitation Center . He was born July 2 3 , 1 9 3 4 , at the former Heaton Hospital , the tenth child of Lena M. (Cady) and Perley Leno Sr.

Bob received his early education in the Montpelier public schools system. He graduated from Montpelier High School in 1 9 5 4 . Following high school that year, he joined the U.S. Navy, serving on the East Coast and two years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, from 1 9 5 5 – 5 7. While serving with the Navy, he sang with the All Navy Choir on the Ed Sullivan Show.

After his discharge in 1 9 5 8 , he attended Lyndon State College earning a teaching degree. He taught schools in North Hero and many years in Williamstown. He retired in 1 9 8 6 . After his retirement from teaching, he became a United Methodist Church minister. He graduated in 1 9 9 3 , from Wesley United Methodist Theological Seminary in Washington , D.C.
He served as pastor in West Topsham, Waits River , Riverton, and West Burke United Methodist churches and he retired in 2 0 0 2 from his last assignment at Denton Community United Methodist Church , Denton , Mont. , a part of the Yellowstone United Methodist Conference.

Bob was a charter member of Kappa Delta Phi fraternity at Lyndon State College. He was a member of Capital City Grange in Berlin where he was past master, a member of Winooski Valley Pamona Grange , Vermont State Grange and the National Grange of Washington, D.C. Bob was a life member of the Montpelier Elks Lodge # 9 2 4 and American Legion Post # 3 of Montpelier and Vermont American Legion. He participated a number of years with the Green Mountain Boys State Program. He was a member of the West Burke United Methodist Church and Trinity United Methodist Church , and a member of the Dalton Gang, a western gun club of Dalton , N.H.

Bob was never married. He leaves one sister, Janice L. Bragdon of Easthampton , Mass. ; two brothers, Bernard C. Leno and his wife, Jeannie of Montpelier; Morris E. Leno and his wife, Marilyn of Schenectady, N.Y., and several nieces and nephews.

He was predeceased by eight siblings, two sisters and a brother at birth; five brothers, Philip P. Leno, Harold C. Leno, Howard S. Leno, Perley Leno, Jr., and Richard E. Leno.

A memorial service will be held at Trinity United Methodist Church ,
1 3 7 Main Street , Montpelier on Tuesday, Dec. 8 , at 10 am. There will be a reception following the service at the church. Burial with be at North Branch Cemetery , Middlesex.

Memorial contributions may be made to Central Vermont Home Health & Hospice, Inc., 6 00 Granger Road , Barre , VT 0 5 6 4 1 or at www.cvhhh.org Those wishing to send online condolences may do so at www.guareandsons.com and go to Bob's obituary.

May 31, 2009
Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity Holds Innovative 4th Annual Adventure-Based Leadership College                 
 

Chapter leaders, alumni, and national board volunteers came together for the 4 th annual Chapter Leader’s Adventure Retreat on May 3 0th 2 0 0 9 . Kappa Delta Phi was partnered with the New England Outdoor Company, a leader in the adventure industry.  Undergraduate Chapter Leaders’ learned about management and leadership skills as well as challenged their sprit on the river. The weekend’s educational topics included teambuilding, networking, risk management, rush, recruitment and finance.
The retreat incorporated the concept of experiential learning for wholistic student development. The learning included powerful real life experiences (whitewater rafting) to inspire confidence, discover inherent personal abilities, and develop a sense of responsibility toward others. For fraternity men, challenging themselves on the sixth most challenging river in the country provided an awe-inspiring experience. Hard physical work, managing risk, and caring for others were necessary to make it down the river successfully and safely.

Steve Simo the fraternity’s executive director commented “this program is a fantastic way to educate our members on how to become better leaders both personally and organizationally”.  One of last year's participants,  Dan Crowley, Chapter President at Lyndon State College commented “I didn't think I would have learned as much as I did when I first entered Millinocket, but when I left...I felt more then ready for the upcoming semester....and that also goes for my fellow Xi brothers.” The Chapter Leaders’ Adventure Retreat has become an annual program to better the lives and college experience for the membership.

Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity was founded at Bridgewater Normal School , Bridgewater Massachusetts in 1 9 00 to bring together males of good character for the purposes of a keen interest in higher education, to promote the highest ideals and educational practices, and to promote a spirit of good citizenship.

KAPPA DELTA PHI MOURNS THE LOSS OF FRATERNITY ADVOCATE

From the North-American Interfraternity Conference

Yesterday evening the interfraternal community lost perhaps its strongest advocate in elected national office. Ohio Democratic U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, one of the great champions of today’s Greek movement, died as a result of a hemorrhage suffered Tuesday. NIC President and CEO Pete Smithhisler added, “I will miss her joyful spirit that she shared each time she stepped to the microphone at the congressional receptions. The great many of us privileged to be with her on Capitol Hill will miss the particular energy and excitement she alone added to those gatherings.”

The NIC and its member fraternities extend condolences to the family and friends of our sincere friend and partner Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones.

At the NIC Annual Meeting in 2007, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones received the NIC Silver Medal. One of the Conference’s highest honors, the medal recognizes significant leadership for causes that advance the highest ideals of fraternalism. Her dedication to the Congressional Fraternal Caucus and her co-sponsorship and leadership behind the College Housing and Infrastructure Act (CHIA) earned that recognition and praise. She continued to support CHIA at this year’s Annual Meeting where she was the vocal leader of the Congressional Reception. The Congresswoman also earned the NIC’s Award of Distinction.

A member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated and the first African-American woman elected to the US House of Representatives from the state of Ohio, Mrs. Tubbs Jones served the residents of the 11th district of Ohio. In the House, she chaired the Ethics Committee, and she was the first black woman to serve on the powerful Ways and Means Committee. Elected in 1998, she was to be a superdelegate at next week's Democratic National Convention in Denver.

The Greek community is indebted to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones for her leadership and for her many years of active involvement.


From our Chairman Julius Tancinco

"Kappa Delta Phi National Fraternity sends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and Delta Sigma Theta sorority for the loss of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubb Jones. She was a great champion not only for the Greek community but for all those that were under represented in Washington, DC.

Stephanie Tubb Jones was an electrifying woman whose resolution was absolute."