Douglas E. Nelson's (Colorado 1949) daughter, Sarah, submitted this photo of her father proudly holding his Diamond Owl Certificate, which celebrate 75 years of membership.
Justin Marks (Appalachian State 2021), a sustainable development major with a concentration in community and global development, wants to save the world. In March, Justin appeared on an episode of Ellen DeGeneres's "Ellen's Game of Games" show. While on the show, Justin described himself as an "active citizen" - someone who strives to making their community better by volunteering, learning about the environment and social issues, and educating others about the community's needs.
Justin has truly made community service a priority. As the Beta Nu Chapter's Service and Philanthropy Chairs, he has helped organize fundraising and service projects in the greater Boone, North Carolina area. And in 2018, he won New Member of the Year for helping the Chapter raise their number of community service hours. Justin has also volunteered for Appalachian & the Community Together, he works at Hospitality House as a shelter associate, and he volunteers as the fundraising intern for F.A.R.M. Cafe, a community kitchen in Boone. Additionally, Justin won the North Carolina Campus Compact's 2019 Community Impact Student Award for App State.
Justin has also expanded his active citizen role outside of his local community. During spring break in 2019, Justin participated in App State's Alternative Service Experience by going to Puerto Rico to work at the Las Casas de la Selva, a sustainable forestry and rainforest enrichment project. While in Puerto Rico, he learned about the management of tropical forests and sustainable economic development. Justin described this experience as widening his worldview, making him want to learn more and give back.
For more information, read Justin's story in Appalachian Today.
From December 2020 - April 2021, Alpha Sigma at Arizona State completed over 250 hours of community service through multiple service projects. This includes 130.5 hours for the Salvation Army, 36 hours for St. Mary's Food Back and 28 hours for Feed My Starving Children, to name a few.
Pictured: Alpha Sigma brothers and Tempe, AZ Mayor Corey Woods (second from the left) volunteering with the Salvation Army.
On April 3, Beta Rho at Louisiana State graduate brothers and their families traveled to visit Jessie Hamilton, the Chapter's former cook, at her home in Baker, Louisiana. Brothers surprised Jessie with the money to pay off her mortgage for her 74th birthday. Jessie worked as the Chapter's cook for over 14 years, but now she works two jobs at the airport. As the Chapter's cook, brothers formed a very special bond with Jessie. She gave brothers rides to the grocery store and the doctor, and she was always a warm presence which left a mark on many brothers even 30 years later. At the beginning of the pandemic, Andrew Fusaiotti (1992), who has kept in touch with Jessie over the past 30 years, called Jessie to check on her. Andrew was sad to learn that Jessie was still working two jobs at her age. He decided he would ask his Phi Gam brothers to help raise money to pay Jessie's mortgage. Andrew and 90 Beta Rho brothers raised $51,765: $45,000 for Jessie's mortgage and $6,675 for herself. Brothers called the day Jessie Hamilton Day.
Watch the video here.