NEW! CLARK CHALLENGES DKE BROTHERS TO FUND FIRE SAFETY

ITHACA, NY (October 25, 2004) James McConnell Clark '44 has challenged his DKE brothers to fund emergency fire safety upgrades made this Summer by offering to match on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $25,000 in tax-deductible contributions to the Cornell DKE Group Housing Fund made before December 31, 2004.The safety of our men and our Lodge are primary concerns of all DKE alumni, said Clark.

Clark was recently elected by the Board of the Delta Chi Association as one of the Decem Vir, the most significant supporters and benefactors of the Chapter by the Board of the Delta Chi Association, which since 1888 has been the alumni association of DKE at Cornell.

Jim Clark's challenge is in the best traditions of our brotherhood, said Don Weadon '67, Alumni Chairman. Support of our safety initiatives is critical to the health and future of our institution. Jim is to be congratulated for his largesse and strong commitment to DKE! Contributions are all tax-deductible, and qualify for corporate matching gift programs, said Weadon, adding �this helps leverage the gift to the benefit of DKE Also appreciated stock or property can be donated to Cornell turning a tax benefit in to a great benefit for DKE.

Alumni who wish to join the Clark challenge will receive recognition in both the web site and the Delta Chi Deke, as well as in correspondence from Cornell and the Alumni Association. Alumni are urged to mark their contribution checks with the appropriate account number (Cornell Fund S38-8706 -- DKE Group Housing Fund #277009) to ensure precise crediting on the part of the University. Brothers should consider copying me on their contributions to Cornell in order to receive prompt crediting and recognition from DKE and Cornell, noted Weadon. He can be reached at 3340 N Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20007, TEL (202) 965-4100, FAX (202) 965-4252, NET Dweadon@aol.com.

Click Here to read the Honor Roll of those alumni who responded to the Clark Challenge and contributed to the Safety Upgrade Project!

New Sprinkler System for the DKE Lodge

In the summer of 2004, the Alumni Association, in close cooperation with Martin Kelley and the University Pipe Shop, undertook a full re-build of the nearly 50-year-old sprinkler system in the DKE Lodge. The old "dry" system was on the verge of failure and, in order to ensure the health and safety of our men and to fully meet the standards of the Campus and the City, we worked to find the most expedient situation as the Summer had by then begun and any delay would have resulted in the closing of the House for the Fall of 2004 while the extensive work was underway. Fortunately, an insightful solution was identified that allowed the retention of the existing piping, routing and flushing corrosion out, and coating with corrosion-inhibiting phosphates, and installing an entire new pump/valve unit and new sprinkler heads. The entire process was run through in a record five weeks, so that the returning brothers found everything in order on August 15, 2004. As the photographs demonstrate, the Cornell pipe technicians and artisans went to extensive lengths to protect the interior and contents of the Lodge as they went about their work. At the same time, asbestos removal and reinforcement of the foyer floor was undertaken, all so that life would continue undisturbed at DKE come the fall.

A great solution and great job by all, as the alumni extend their thanks to the Cornell Pipe Team and Martin Kelley for their "can-do" attitude!

DKE considers the health and safety of its men and our Lodge to be our most important commitment. This fall at Homecoming, Alumni Chairman Don Weadon '67 and his wife Suzanne donated to the University two DiOp infrared firecams for the Cornell EMS teams to use to protect students and to find individuals who might have fallen into a gorge in the night or otherwise be lost in low light situations." DKE has a long history at Cornell," said Weadon at the presentation, "and we work as partners with the University. This is DKE's way of saying 'thanks' for the years of great support Cornell's EMS teams have given - not only to DKE - but also to all the students at Cornell."

Donald Weadon '67, president of the Delta Chi Association, your alumni association, right, presents two DiOp thermal imaging "firecam" devices to Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) personnel during a reception at the fraternity lodge Oct. 16. Weadon and his wife, Suzanne, donated the $12,000 infrared "night vision" cameras to Cornell on Behalf of DKE and the Greek system in recognition of the support the university provides to protect the health and safety of fraternity and sorority members on campus. The DiOp firecams are uniquely capable to assist safety personnel in locating people in inaccessible dark or smoky locations, such as gorges or fires. Accepting the gift are, from left, Nox Connelly of EH&S fire protection; Dan Maas, emergency management coordinator; and Kathy MacCheyne, fire protection. Looking on is Kent Hubbell, dean of students, second from left.

The Cornell EMS personnel aim the DiOp firecams as they would be deployed in an emergency situation. The gift on behalf of DKE allows one firecam to be assigned to each of Cornell's two emergency vans for immediate use in a first response situation. The cost of the devices makes it difficult for some EMS units to afford this necessary piece of equipment, soDKE can be proud to have provided such an important gift to the University marking its 135th year on campus and thanking the University emergency specialists for their continuous efforts to protect our men and our Lodge.

If you look through a firecam at DKEs in the Borthwick room in low light, here's what you'd see.
The images are clearer at night, and an individual could be identified at well over a hundred feet.