By Rayelee McFee
Lambda Chi Alpha, one of the oldest fraternities in 91看片, has long been defined by the strength of its brotherhood and legacy. Few embodied that legacy more deeply than Herman Meinders. Though he spent only one school year at 91看片, his time as a Lambda Chi Alpha member became the beginning of many friendships 鈥� ones he nurtured and protected for decades. When the fraternity faced some of its most challenging years, Meinders didn鈥檛 turn his back. He lifted his brothers up and ensured the Theta Delta Chapter of Lambda Chi Alpha would continue for generations to come.
Mark Kelly (BSB 鈥�77) and Nick Drago (BPA Dance 鈥�03) remember exactly what those years felt like. Kelly majored in business and served as fraternity president in the 1970s, while Drago studied dance and arts management in the early 2000s. Although separated by decades, both men were deeply shaped by the fraternity and by Meinders鈥� support.
Kelly met his wife, Gayla (BSB Marketing 鈥�75), at OCU and worked at 91看片鈥檚 Credit Union for more than 40 years before retiring. Their son also earned his MBA from the Meinders School of Business. Drago has performed on global stages and is a world-renowned writer and producer in the television and film industry. Despite their stories unfolding in different eras, both men came to know Meinders and felt his unwavering support of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Kelly first met Meinders in the late 1970s, when the fraternity was struggling. 鈥淗erman joined the fraternity and immediately became a brother in every sense of the word,鈥� he said. One of his earliest experiences came when the chapter house roof caved in. 鈥淎 few of us brothers went to his office, and Herman agreed to loan us the money if we did the work ourselves,鈥� he recalled. 鈥淗e鈥檇 always thank us for fixing the house, which I thought was funny 鈥� he was thanking us for using his money.鈥� Meinders not only forgave their debts but continued to check in every few years, asking what the chapter needed or proposing new projects.
Drago shared similar memories. 鈥淗e helped us recover from hardships, matched donations and supported so many projects,鈥� he said. 鈥淗erman gave without condition because he loved Lambda Chi that much.鈥�
Another cherished tradition was visiting Meinders鈥� ranch every summer. 鈥淗e invited the entire chapter. We鈥檇 work on the property in the morning, and Herman would cook dinner for us every night,鈥� Kelly remembered. Those summers felt like brotherhood camps with evenings filled with stories of him building his floral business 鈥� driving across the country, sleeping in his car when necessary and never giving up. His message was clear: if you want to get something done, you keep going. 鈥淓very Lambda Chi learns about Herman Meinders on day one,鈥� said Drago. 鈥淗e is a staple of our chapter, a man who embodied honor, integrity, heart and dedication to community stewardship.鈥�
His hands-on generosity and servant leadership helped the chapter weather storms, both financial and practical. 鈥淚f it weren鈥檛 for Herman, our chapter would鈥檝e closed long ago,鈥� Drago said. 鈥淣ot just because of his contributions, but because he was a true servant-leader. He might be stern, but he was right next to you with a shovel 鈥� probably digging harder than you.鈥�
Meinders treated everyone with kindness and never sought recognition. 鈥淥nce, on one of the hottest days I can remember, a brother walked into our alumni luncheon drenched in sweat,鈥� Kelly recalled. 鈥淗erman discovered his car鈥檚 A/C was broken and quietly arranged for a new car to be delivered 鈥� anonymously.鈥�
Values like discipline, humility and generosity mirror the legacy Meinders left and the lessons he instilled. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to be a millionaire to have a giving heart,鈥� Drago said. 鈥淪ometimes you just need to show up for someone in need.鈥� For all the big projects Meinders supported, there was a lifetime鈥檚 worth of quiet acts of kindness that often went unseen.
Meinders鈥� impact on OCU and Lambda Chi Alpha is immeasurable. His leadership, friendship and example live on in every member who carries his spirit forward. 鈥淲hen I think back on my time in school, I remember the unbelievable people who cared for each other,鈥� Kelly reflected. 鈥淎nd I think of Herman. He will be missed, and I鈥檒l never meet another one quite like him, our brother.鈥�
