Delta Tau Delta - Ball State University

2 THE IRIS W hen I started at Ball State there were no Delts, only a local Pi Delta Gamma fraternity. The local Pi Delts constantly dropped hints that it might join Delta Tau Delta in the near future, and I already knew that Delt was in the top echelon of fraternities across the country. I liked the personalities of the guys I met, and on pledge night, Doug Richards '71 and I decided that Pi Delt (soon-to-be Epsilon Mu) was the best for us. I know today, over 50 years later, it was still one of the best decisions I have ever made. GROWING WITH EPSILON MU I was fortunate to hold a minor leadership role in which, though I did not realize it at the time, I played a small part in fine-tuning the personalities of younger brothers. Several of us "OGC&OG's" (Old Guard, Charter, and Old Guys), are still very close. Both older brothers and those in my own class helped make me stronger emotionally and helped me face my issues head-on. I loved learning about both the histories of our local chapter and that of the national fraternity. Thanks to Dan Hockney '65 for doing such a remarkable job as our chapter historian. Not long after I returned to Atlanta for work, I met my wife, Jane Bogie Cochran, through a friend from school. Bogie and I produced a great daughter in Cameron, who is a success in her own career down in Tampa, being one of the youngest marketing managers in the country for the company she works for. I'm also proud of Bogie working and retiring from education, working with kids with their own challenges. REMEMBERING TERRY HUNSUCKER '71 I could write a book on my relationship with Terry, but a lot of us could. He was simply that rare individual you wanted to be around, to emulate. Somehow, there was an undefinable bond that stuck between us—a bond I now feel with members of our OGC&OG group. When I lost touch with the fraternity after college, Terry found me in Atlanta, through my mom and dad. Bogie and I met up with him, and he flat-out told me that I needed to get involved again. Since then we visited each other when we could, and we talked on the phone every two or three weeks until he died; I visited him in Dallas a few weeks before. I still carry with me every day a Delt ink pen and a Delt challenge coin he gave me from one of his Karnea trips. From the second he pledged, Terry and I formed a bond that would never die. MAINTAINING THE BROTHERHOOD I was hosted a couple of southeast reunions, but I am far from being the only one. Our first one consisted of Mike "MSz" Szentesy '70 and me (and Bogie) in Siesta Key, far from being a quorum. Dick Goble '68 and his wife, Jane, put together a really nice one in Sarasota; we got together again in Sanibel; and Bogie and I had a small one here in North Myrtle Beach. It was great experience for me to have Tom "Moon" Murray '68 and Louie "Robby" Russell '67 hanging out together in our dining room—first time I'd seen them together in over 50 years. MSz has tentatively scheduled our next one for October in St. Pete; so be on the lookout for more information. I'm sure that "younger" Old Guys will take the reins for these reunions in the future. It's that craving to keep the brotherhood alive. FINDING SUPPORT In September, I learned that I had esophageal cancer similar to what my dad had. The surgeons took out his esophagus and he survived, living to the age of 94; I have the same plans! Rather than keeping the news to ourselves, I decided to follow both Dick Goble and my sister Candy's example: letting the world know about it through Facebook, my own "Clog." The outpouring from family, brothers, and friends has been nothing short of fantastic! Some have even sent cards and letters of encouragement. That means more than one could possibly understand when you're emotionally down. I've completed both chemo and rads; hopefully no more. By the time this is published, I will have had my second CAT scan and found out the results. (Got good news this morning, January 22, in fact. Surgery to be scheduled soon!) All those old people are right about one thing: you absolutely speed through life, no slowing down. Being in school and being a member of both Pi Delta Gamma and Delta Tau Delta were some of the best years of my life, and I would do it again. As an esteemed member of the old guard told me recently, "it's kind of a kick being a 'Charter.'" There have been downs in my life, but Bogie and Cameron are on top of the list of ups. Also, during the last few years, I've formed even closer bonds with the old guard gang than ever before. You all know who you are. Fraternally, Cliff Cochran #35, '69 ccochranjr@sc.rr.com Keeping the Brotherhood Alive Charter Member Cliff Cochran Jr. '69 Shares the Importance of Delta Tau Delta 2020 Executive Committee President Jackson Starnes '20 jacksonstarnes07@gmail.com Internal VP Alec Yakubik '22 External VP Jett Zweigel '22 Social Chairman Nate Sink '23 New Member Education Tucker White '21 Social Service Holdan Reasor '22 Philanthropy Xavier Unzueta '22 Public Relations Alec Schultz '23 Recruitment Joe Keller '22 Risk Manager Cole Russell '22

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