Lambda Chi Alpha - Oregon State University

" L E A R N I N G T O L E A R N " E njoying a warm summer day in Sun Valley, Idaho, Shane Wall '84-1141 reflects on a lifetime of professional accomplishment, culminating as Hewlett Packard's Chief Technology Officer and Science Advisor to the President of the United States. Shane has been awarded ΛXA's Order of Achievement for his life and work, nominated by his longtime friend Alan Crouch '84-1139. "I hope to leave this world better than I found it," says Shane. "That is my goal, and it's the lesson I hope to pass on to my children." Of course, that's not how his story began. "I wanted to be an engineer since I was 8 years old—ever since I disassembled and reassembled Mom's chair," laughs Shane. Born in a small town in southern Idaho, Shane was eager to expand his horizons. "For much of my early life, my father had left our family, and my sister and I lived with my mother. We had very little means and not a very bright future." Early on, mentorship and positive male role models had a distinct impact on Shane. "It was only through the very fortunate opportunity that my mother met a man who would become my stepfather and mentor that I was able to escape our situation." Enrolling at Oregon State University, Shane was motivated—perhaps in equal parts—by OSU's engineering and golf programs. "Had I not received an athletic and academic scholarship," recalls Shane, "I'm not certain I would have been able to attend." However, there was one more obstacle: getting to Corvallis. Fortunately, another recently accepted Beaver living in the Boise area, Alan Crouch, also needed a ride. Beginning their four-decade-long friendship, Alan and Shane embarked on an eight-hour road trip, where they discovered mutual shared interests, including the desire to explore Greek Life. "Other golf team members had already joined Lambda Chi, but it wasn't a sure thing that I'd join," remembers Shane. "We visited many of the chapters, but Lambda Chi struck me by their diversity and how they pushed themselves to be the best fraternity on campus. Even now—some 40 years later—these men continue to lead extremely impressive lives." Whether he realized it then or not, Lambda Chi became a leadership accelerator for Shane, providing lessons that would carry him through his career. "Lambda Chi taught me how to work in a team—even with those who can be difficult." For Shane, balancing academic, athletic, and social priorities wasn't only a challenge; it was part of his education. "As you pursue a degree, your environment matters," shares Shane. "Your schooling shouldn't overtake you. Education isn't monodirectional." Since graduation, Shane's career has spanned technology, entrepreneurship, and venture capital, leading him to what he describes as a "cascade of observations and experiences." This year also marks 36 years of marriage to his wife, Christy, whom he met while at Oregon State University. "The most important thing you can do for yourself is learn how to learn," advises Shane. "If you're lucky, work will simply become an expression of your life and passion." For five years, Shane served as Global Head of HP Labs, where he was responsible for growing and leading one of the most disruptive teams of its time within the technology sector. "[At HP Labs], we were only interested in team members who could think creatively above and beyond their academic, technical understanding." Shane Wall Awarded ΛXA's Order of Achievement Alpha lambda Logos Lambda Chi Alpha • Oregon State University • Summer 2024 (Continued on page 2)

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