MEMBER MILESTONES

California Eta – Cal Poly

Dan Crookham ’86 (Ag Sci BS, MS) recently retired from the classroom after 36 years as a California agriculture teacher, specializing in welding, fabrication and mechanics. His long tenure at Exeter High School will be felt in California ag education for generations to come. He previously was an adjunct professor for two local community colleges as well as his alma mater, Cal Poly, SLO. As a master teacher and mentor teacher for three universities, he hosted 32 final student teachers (teacher interns) at Exeter High School.

As an ag teacher in California’s Central Valley, he built hundreds of trailers, BBQs and pieces of equipment for local customers. He built barns, fences and roads with his students. He worked with thousands of kids on livestock projects, and he developed the largest high school citrus farm in the nation. Crookham’s students competed at a high level in the National FFA Organization, winning numerous state and national titles and awards. For this work, he was awarded honorary FFA degrees at both the state and national level. A tireless fundraiser and BBQ grill master, he catered events that raised millions of dollars over his tenure. He traveled to 11 states with his students, including two trips to Laurel Hall to share the story of our fraternity with young people.

In recent years, Crookham developed an interview-style ag mechanics contest that became California FFA’s Ag Mechanics Fair contest. His set of rules was modified to also be used with the California Youth Ag Expo, or CYAE, for which he continues to serve as the contest superintendent. These interview-style ag mechanics contests feature a panel of judges challenging shop students over their construction, fabrication and repair projects and the decisions they made. Hundreds of students have participated in these contests since their establishment five years ago.

As a leader among the California Agricultural Teachers Association, Crookham served on many statewide committees and in leadership roles up through regional president and developed an annual trap shoot that continues after 28 years. He was a state finalist in 2024 for the Golden Owl Award for outstanding ag teacher. The CATA named him a Teacher of Excellence in 2001, and he was named CATA’s Outstanding Ag Educator for California in 2020.

He retires as the most decorated ag mechanics specialist in the history of California ag education.

California Theta – CSUN

Anthony De Longis ’68 accepted his Kenpo Karate Hall of Fame award in Las Vegas in August 2025. De Longis is a well-known stunt choreographer as well as an actor in films such as “Road House” and “Masters of the Universe,” and TV shows “Star Trek: Voyager” and “Highlander: The Series.”

Illinois Delta – Illinois

Tom Lepperd ‘69, Greg Gundlach ‘70, John Aiken ‘70, Bob Lewis ‘68, Dave Bernthal ‘69, and Steve Bishop ‘69, enjoyed a mini reunion in November. The brothers had not been together in over 50 years. They toured the newly remodeled chapter house, hosted by Todd Salen ‘77 and Matthew Greenstein ‘23. Brother Lepperd enjoyed seeing the Hall of Honors, which displays plaques of Illinois Deltans of some distinction and was humbled to find himself there. Lepperd also sent HQ a photo of the plaque honoring military hero, Tom Koritz ‘72.

Indiana Delta – Purdue

John Copeland ‘68, current Indiana Delta Chapter Advisor was named one of Purdue University’s 150 most influential alumni in Fraternity, Sorority, and Cooperative Life (FSCL) at Purdue in the past 150 Years.  Zachary Brantly ‘12 also was recognized, and both gentlemen were selected from hundreds of nominations. These honors were announced at the milestone event in September 2025, which celebrates the enduring legacy of FSCL at Purdue and honors the exceptional alumni whose engagement in Student Life has shaped the community. Brothers Copeland and Brantly are distinguished Indiana Deltans whose influence and leadership will continue to inspire generations.

Maryland Alpha – Johns Hopkins

Paul S. Robinson Jr. ‘88 successfully completed a Northbound Appalachian Trail thru-hike. He continuously hiked all 2,197 miles from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. The adventure took place over a 24-week span from April to September 2025.

New Jersey Delta – TCNJ

Stephen T. Sullivan Jr. ’91 was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate as a Superior Court Judge and was named to the Middlesex County Family Division.

New York Eta – Buffalo

Anthony Scialabba IV ‘16 and his wife, La’Quevia, were married on October 21, 2025, in Nassau, Bahamas. Celebrating together were (L to R in the photo): Dominick Yu ‘18, Juan Gomez CSUN ‘18, Ryan Rondinaro ‘15, Anthony and La’Quevia, Ashton Armstrong ‘15, Cory Kostrzycki ‘16, and Mohammad Raza ‘17. 

Ohio Beta – Wittenberg

In October 2025, Ohio Beta Chapter held a 40th year reunion. A brother in Charlotte, North Carolina hosted the group, and they attended the Buffalo Bills versus Carolina Panthers’ football game. Some hadn’t seen each other in 40 years, and a great time was had by all.

Rhode Island Beta – URI

Rhode Island Beta was well represented at the Senior Games in Providence on Sept. 6, 2025. Three brothers, (L to R in the photo) Ken Fecteau ’68, Frank Ruhle ’66, and Andy “Monk” Marcoux ’69, medaled in multiple events. Fecteau medaled in shot put and hammer throw, Marcoux in long jump, and Ruhle in hammer throw and javelin. 

Rob Wainman ’21 enters his first season as offensive quality control for the URI Rams football program. No stranger to the Rhody sidelines, Wainman was previously a student assistant for the team and assisted with quality control. In addition to analyzing practice statistics, he helped guide players through drills and aided in data compilation. The former mental health chair for RI Beta, Wainman was also involved in WRIU as an undergraduate and broadcasted Rhody Women’s Basketball games. This spring he completed his degree in sports media and communications, with a minor in general business.