In the Chapter

Etienne Merle ’69, celebrated chef, retires after ten years with the chapter. He is likely to be the last private chef hired by Lambda Chi, as the trend among fraternities is to use catering companies.

The chapter rolls, swollen with returning veterans and Cornell's burgeoning enrollment, have been stretching the capacity of the house to its limits. After two years of fundraising, construction begins on the first major expansion in four decades, adding a new dining room, fireproof stairwell, and new bathrooms. But most of the old house is retained, including the frontage and the first floor common areas— and the artist's conception shown in a 1953 Oracle is never executed.

The Omicron Alumni Association is administratively merged with ISWZA Fraternity. Ed Moore '48 begins his lengthy and devoted service to build up the group.

The second and third floor bathrooms are to be given a facelift, but work reveals water damage from exterior leaks, forcing a major overhaul.

The chapter begins a tradition of lighting up in green in honor of the Green Light A Vet campaign and the Cornell Undergraduate Veterans Association.

Lambda Chi Alpha wins the intramural All-Sports Championship for the first time— and thus far, for the last time.

Nearly 300 alumni and undergraduate brothers and their guests participate in the Omicron Zeta Centennial Celebration with events at the house at the Statler Hotel, in Ithaca and in New York City. Mike Agostin '92 is the event organizer.

The Campaign for Omicron Zeta is officially launched over the weekend, with presentations by co-chairs Sandy Gilbert '63, Ralph Wilhelm '67, and Doug Levens '92. By Sunday, over $1.2 milion is already pledged for the renovation and expansion of Edgemoor, our historic chapter house.

After six decades of combined operations, the Omicron Alumni Association and ISWZA Fraternity are split again. ISWZA remains solely focused on the operation and maintenance of the property, whereas the OAA handles alumni communications and events. Completing the structure is a new Alumni Advisory Board, a third independent body focused on advising undergraduate officers. The reorganization is expected to make the alumni more nimble and more responsive.

Lambda Chi Alpha’s inaugural Foam Party is held. With the addition of two improvised foam generators, it becomes the chapter’s signature social event.

The $2.8 million renovation of Edgemoor kicks off with an official groundbreaking.