From collection Member List
John Edward Mason has been described as the spiritual founder of Lambda Chi Alpha. He was born in 1892, and distinguished himself as a scholar at the University of Pennsylvania, where he completed his four-year A.B. degree in two-and-a-half years. He then went on to complete a masters and doctorate degree. While at Penn, he was a charter member of the Epsilon Zeta Chapter and was appointed Grand High Zeta by Warren Cole.
Besides designing the Lambda Chi Alpha coat of arms, Mason served as chairman of the Board of Publications, where he was instrumental in putting the fraternal ideals, methods and news into literate form. Importantly, he was the principal author of The Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He also helped create the first songbook and wrote the original lyrics to “A Sweetheart of Lambda Chi,” which is still heard at special fraternity events.
In addition to his work for the fraternity, Mason served in World War I as a translator for governmental postal activities. After the war, he taught English and drama at Germantown High School in Philadelphia while also serving on the Philadelphia Board of Education.
Mason died 1946 at age 54.
Besides designing the Lambda Chi Alpha coat of arms, Mason served as chairman of the Board of Publications, where he was instrumental in putting the fraternal ideals, methods and news into literate form. Importantly, he was the principal author of The Ritual of Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity. He also helped create the first songbook and wrote the original lyrics to “A Sweetheart of Lambda Chi,” which is still heard at special fraternity events.
In addition to his work for the fraternity, Mason served in World War I as a translator for governmental postal activities. After the war, he taught English and drama at Germantown High School in Philadelphia while also serving on the Philadelphia Board of Education.
Mason died 1946 at age 54.
