From collection Member List
George W. Spark devoted four decades of his life to Lambda Chi Alpha, and his contribution was monumental.
Spark was born on July 25, 1923 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school at age 16, he studied analytical chemistry at Williams College through a training program sponsored by General Electric. This led to his work on the Manhattan Project, while also serving in the United State Navy. He enrolled in the University of Michigan in 1946 and joined Lambda Chi Alpha, and shortly after completing his graduate degree in business administration, he became a traveling secretary for the fraternity. In 1948, he became service secretary, in charge of undergraduate operations. He served in that capacity until 1968, when he became executive director.
As executive director, he created the Student Advisory Committee, bringing undergraduate voices to the highest levels of fraternity decision-making, and he oversaw the planning and construction of the headquarters in Indianapolis.
However, perhaps his most important and lasting contribution was to lead Lambda Chi Alpha to become a pledge-free fraternal experience. He advanced this idea in 1970, concerned that the pledge experience could lead to abuse and injury. He strongly believed in the participation of new members as full members in a fraternity, with inclusion in committees and a voice in chapter affairs. He believed in a short pledge period, and proposed chapter work sessions instead of pledge work sessions, and he felt the “associate members” (rather than pledges) should be subject to the same standards, rules, and discipline as active members. His sweeping reform was adopted at the 1972 General Assembly. It has since become the blueprint for fraternities and sororities around the country.
He retired as executive director in 1990 and was awarded the Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order of Achievement, and in his honor, the “George W. Spark Order of Interfraternity Service” aware was created. Additionally, Spark was awarded the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Gold Medal.
He died in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 16, 2019 at 95 years of age.
Spark was born on July 25, 1923 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. After graduating from high school at age 16, he studied analytical chemistry at Williams College through a training program sponsored by General Electric. This led to his work on the Manhattan Project, while also serving in the United State Navy. He enrolled in the University of Michigan in 1946 and joined Lambda Chi Alpha, and shortly after completing his graduate degree in business administration, he became a traveling secretary for the fraternity. In 1948, he became service secretary, in charge of undergraduate operations. He served in that capacity until 1968, when he became executive director.
As executive director, he created the Student Advisory Committee, bringing undergraduate voices to the highest levels of fraternity decision-making, and he oversaw the planning and construction of the headquarters in Indianapolis.
However, perhaps his most important and lasting contribution was to lead Lambda Chi Alpha to become a pledge-free fraternal experience. He advanced this idea in 1970, concerned that the pledge experience could lead to abuse and injury. He strongly believed in the participation of new members as full members in a fraternity, with inclusion in committees and a voice in chapter affairs. He believed in a short pledge period, and proposed chapter work sessions instead of pledge work sessions, and he felt the “associate members” (rather than pledges) should be subject to the same standards, rules, and discipline as active members. His sweeping reform was adopted at the 1972 General Assembly. It has since become the blueprint for fraternities and sororities around the country.
He retired as executive director in 1990 and was awarded the Lambda Chi Alpha’s Order of Achievement, and in his honor, the “George W. Spark Order of Interfraternity Service” aware was created. Additionally, Spark was awarded the North American Interfraternity Conference’s Gold Medal.
He died in Indianapolis, Indiana on May 16, 2019 at 95 years of age.
