The following letter to Frank Reed Horton from then National President Jack McKenzie, Gamma Lambda ’73, was originally published in the Spring 2000 Issue of Torch & Trefoil Magazine. The letter celebrates 75 Years of Leadership, Friendship and Service as a result of one man’s dream and the efforts of the many who followed him.
Dear Frank,
Just a note to say thank you for founding Alpha Phi Omega. Because of your efforts back in the 1920s, more than 295,000 college men and women have benefited from the Leadership, Friendship and Service program of the Fraternity and countless millions of people in need have been helped by APO projects. The world is quite literally a better place because of the work you and the other founders began more than 75 years ago.
Speaking of “75” reminds me to tell you that the celebration of the Fraternity’s 75th is well under way. The celebration has many wonderful parts to it, but I especially want to mention the big events that will happen in Easton during the weekend of July 14-16. Activities will range from a reenactment of that first ritual you conducted in Brainerd Hall on December 16, 1925, to a “Visioning Forum” during which a group of current members will lead us in imagining the possibilities for Alpha Phi Omega’s future – much as you and those other Lafayette students did three quarters of a century ago.
On a personal note, I want to say what an honor it is to serve as President of the Fraternity you started. To hold this office is both humbling and exhilarating all at once. You left big shoes to fill, but you also left big footprints to mark the way.
I gotta run now, Frank. There’s a lot to be done between now and the National Convention in Philadelphia in December. I just wanted you to know that all of us in the Fraternity think of you often and truly appreciate this wonderful gift that you left for us. Thank you for Alpha Phi Omega.
Fraternally,
Jack
