Delta Chi - University of Alabama

THE COUNSELOR 2 Delta Chi Joins e University's RISE Program Alumni Dedicate eir Time to Mentoring Undergraduate Members T his fall, Delta Chi Undergraduate Members will be one of 14 Greek organizations participating in the RISE program. e RISE program, which stands for responsibility, initiative, service, and expectations, consists of weekly meetings over a 13-week period in groups of approximately 18 men. e program is sponsored by the Resiliency Initiative of e University of Alabama. Each group is led by Greek Alumni who serve as mentors. e Alabama Chapter mentor volunteers include Ernie Kennamer '80, Dwight Mixson '79, Joey Ritchey '12, Scotch Ritchey '14, Jeff relkeld '79, and Jeremy Wood '06. Most young men arriving at e University are on their own for the first time. When faced with juggling school, football games, fraternity and social activities and the many other distractions college life provides, many students initially struggle to find the right balance. RISE is designed to help these young men set appropriate goals, learn how to manage their time and channel their efforts in positive ways that will lead to early success and a strong foundation for the coming years. RISE is a relatively new program at e University, but the organizations who participated last year report improved academic performance and fewer non-academic issues. rough the RISE program, Undergraduate Members use a small-group setting to discuss the issues they face and find positive ways to resolve them. Personal responsibility for one's life, the decisions one makes and learning to be self-motivating are key aspects within the curriculum. While academics are at the forefront, the goal is also to develop well-rounded young men who make good decisions in social settings and men who participate and give back to e University, the Chapter, and the other organizations in which they participate. At the end of the program, each group will participate in a service project chosen, designed and implemented by the group. Updates on the program and the Chapter's participation will be included in future newsletters. shopping center in Birmingham and over the span of 30 years his business grew to include 10 retail stores throughout the state. In the early 1990s, Jim began a new wholesale shoe business, Shoe Corporation of Birmingham Inc., to manufacture and distribute footwear for the nation's prison industry. At the time of his passing, the company's success had spread to all 50 states and Canada. Always a dedicated humanitarian, Jim diligently worked to better his community. He donated blood more than 250 times to the Red Cross, resulting in nearly 20 gallons donated during his lifetime. He also made a point of sharing his business success by hiring a number of paroled ex-convicts, giving each a second chance in a society where such opportunities are sometimes hard to find. Jim was quiet and humble in his philanthropic pursuits and much of his work only became public knowledge through several moving messages delivered at his funeral by his minister, family members and close friends. Jim's generosity extended beyond his business and community, as he actively supported Alabama Chapter as an alumnus. In 2014, Jim donated $50,000 to the Alabama Chapter in the form of $25,000 to the 2009-14 Chapter house campaign and $25,000 to establish the Jim and Brenda Calhoun Fellowship Scholarship to be annually awarded by the Alumni Board of Trustees to the Active Brother in most financial need. Jim was also heavily involved in the Chapter House Campaign as the 1959 class leader and succeeded in convincing other Brothers to participate in donating to the Chapter. As an undergraduate, Jim was an outstanding scholar in the College of Commerce and Business Administration as well as one of the best athletes to be a member of the Alabama Chapter. He was the starting forward on the 1956 basketball team, played on the six-straight IFC championship winning Chapter volleyball team and the 1957 IFC championship winning Chapter football team. ough there are countless stories of Jim's achievements, what is truly impressive was how well-liked and respected he was by his Brothers. He was an amazing human being and a fraternity Brother to be proud of. Jim will be truly missed. Honoring a Loyal Brother (Continued from page 1) first long-range economic development and land use plan. Following his term on the city council, Greg was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2006, serving for nearly five years. While in office, he authored the Rolling Reserve Budget Act to improve the Education Budget process in an effort to establish reserves and prevent education proration and served as Chairman of the House's Commerce and Small Business Committee. In July 2011, he was appointed to lead Alabama's economic development activity by Governor Robert Bentley. Greg currently serves as a member of the Governor's Cabinet and as Secretary of Commerce for the State of Alabama. In his position, he oversaw economic expansion and recruitment activities from 2012-15, resulting in capital investment exceeding $20.2 billion and the creation of over 75,000 new jobs. He is also responsible for advancing the Department's key priorities, including facilitating recruitment and expansion projects, expanding export opportunities for Alabama business, helping small businesses grow and raising the State's profile in the film and entertainment industry. Greg and his wife, Denise, who is an Alpha Chi Omega from e University of Alabama, reside in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. ey have two children, Rachel Canfield Young, who also lives in Vestavia Hills with her husband, Jimmy, and John Ryan Canfield, all of whom are University of Alabama alumni. ey have one grandson, James Gregory Young. You can connect with Greg at canfiej@bellsouth.net. Greg Canfield '82 Presented the 2016 Jefferson J. Coleman Award (Continued from page 1)

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