It is late April and the Case Western Reserve community is in an awkward transition from winter to spring. The shrubbery and barren trees appear confused as to whether to stay dormant or bring some much needed color and life to the streets of Cleveland. The dreary sky resembles that of a troubled Claude Monet painting, and parts of the city’s buildings are in dire need of attention. Cleveland has been one of the hardest hit cities during this economic recession. The area is desperate for hope and excitement to take over a complacency that is bleak and depressing, a request even Lebron and his Cavaliers did not fill alone.

This spring, the Lambda Kappa-Beta Chapter was awarded the North-American Interfraternity Conference’s prestigious Chapter of Distinction Award. The brothers are respectful and motivated individuals who are inspired to redefine the tarnished landscape of Cleveland.

“We are so grateful to have won the award and could not be more thrilled for not only our individual Chapter, but for the entire Fraternity,” said an enthusiastic president, Daniel Kaufman ’11. “However, we want this award to represent the possibilities that are on the horizon for the Cleveland area. Our Chapter is ready to serve the City and give back.”

The award is given each year to only a handful of the most outstanding chapters in all of North America, and includes every fraternity, not just Beta Theta Pi. The award’s purpose is to identify chapters that have had the most positive impact on its members and the surrounding community. Lambda Kappa-Beta was re-organized in the fall of 2004 and, at one point, had dwindled down to four members. In a short time, the Chapter had gone from nearly being closed down to sweeping the University’s 2009 IFC awards banquet, winning eight out of the nine major awards, including the prominent Pytte Cup.

For the past four years these brothers have diligently worked to enhance their chapter and build it to a solid 45 members. They have been rewarded for their academics and for scoring perfect on their Greek life standards score. The brothers are now turning their attention to creating a stronger, more unified brotherhood and serving the greater Cleveland community. Many compare the City to the status of the Chapter four years ago, struggling and on the brink of collapse. “It is our responsibility as a successful organization to help the Cleveland area during these difficult times,” Pledge Educator Joe Schroeder ’10 elaborated. “We need to pass on the spirit and dedication that helped bring our chapter back to prominence to the city of Cleveland.”

The brothers have begun brainstorming on what they can do throughout the summer that will not only build their brotherhood, but also assist the City. Members want to capitalize on their “chapter of distinction” status and use it in more ways than one. Projects such as City Cleanup, various walk-a-thons and partnerships with the Cleveland Indians are all being considered for potential activities the Chapter can partake in throughout the summer months. These events will either raise money for groups affiliated with Cleveland or consist of basic volunteer cleanups.

“Brothers understand that each individual is responsible for living out the obligation through his daily life, and the successes and failures of each member reflect on the entire group,” explained Schroeder. “We are striving for our principles to be mirrored in the community service work that we give to the great city of Cleveland.”

Although the Lambda Kappa-Beta Chapter has experienced much success within the past few months, they strongly reiterate the fact that there is still much work to be done, which will affect many people. They realize that while the City surrounding the Case Western Reserve campus is a little rough around the edges and in need of repair, they are humbly reminded that at one point, so were they. — A. Hammel