My predecessors posted a weekly piece entitled “The Friday Letter.” While I like the concept of posting on Fridays and at the end of a work week, I am taking the liberty to retitle this post as “Friday Fusion.” So much of O∆K is the intersection of great ideas, the five phases of collegiate leadership, and our members; and besides, as a person who loves to cook, I love the idea of intellectual fusion cuisine.
Friday Fusion: Dr. Singer Goes to Washington
14
Jun
My second official week on the job was absolutely the essence of fusion. After spending the weekend in Lexington, walking the campuses, visiting to the restaurants, and contributing to the economy by shopping, I left for Richmond on Monday morning. I had the pleasure of visiting with Rich Johnson, an initiate of the University of Richmond Circle, whose gift to the headquarters/building campaign has been recognized by the naming of the Executive Director’s office. I also spent part of the afternoon with past National President Dr. Steve Bisese of the University of Richmond. I will always be indebted to Dr. Bisese – after all, he chaired the search committee who hired me!
The “Dr. Singer Goes to Washington” part of this post started with leaving Charlottesville on the Thursday morning Amtrak train to Union Station in Washington, DC. Once there, I hopped in a cab and headed to the Army and Navy Club to visit with a Ed Rodriguez, a former national board member, and a contact of his to discuss the potential for developing a scholarship and DC internship opportunity for an O∆K member. We hope to announce something for the 2014 – 2015 school year. I also had a chance visit with my counterpart, Dr. John Churchill (an O∆K member himself), at Phi Beta Kappa to learn more about the development of the Honor Society Caucus of which we are a member. The last part of my trip included visits with representatives of Camus Direct to discuss potential partnership opportunities and to reconnect with Ron Ziegel – my friend from college (University of Louisville) and O∆K member who famously rescued me in the snow storm that I got stuck in on my way back to Indiana the weekend I interviewed for the Executive Director’s position.
Next week, I am looking forward to a trip throughout the Southeast including the O∆K gathering which will take place on Tuesday, June 18, between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m. at the executive offices of the Carter Center in Atlanta. If you’re in “the neighborhood,” come join us!
