Left to right, Jonathan Meyer ’87, Pete Fogler ’89, and Darius Fadanelli ’89 horsing around during the Road Rally of ‘87. |
We recently caught up with our very own Jonathan Meyer (MCSC) ’87 and had the chance to ask him about his Delta Chi experience, and where life since Michigan has taken him. Here’s what he had to say:
Where has life taken you since you graduated? Give us a brief recap up to this point including career and family highlights.
After graduating, I earned two additional degrees, a J.D from Detroit College of Law, and an LL.M in Taxation from Boston University School of Law, mostly because I wasn’t ready to for real life. I practiced law for a few years, that sucked, so I began a career in HR and Labor Relations with the State of Michigan.
Was lucky enough to marry the love of my life in ’92 and am thankful that Cheri had the ability to tolerate me and my shenanigans for the past 30 years. We have 2 boys, Jake 23 who is a 1st Lt. in the Army and is currently serving at Ft. Campbell KY, and Casey, 21 who is an engineering student at MSU. Been living in Okemos, Michigan since 2001.
What are the most important lessons you learned because of Delta Chi?
Left to right, Pete Fogler ’89, Ken Radlick ’87, Darius Fadanelli ’89 and Steve Wei ’87. Notice Fogler toting a 2 liter California Cooler, classic. |
What it means to be part of something bigger than yourself, how to actively be a part of a place where you think you belong, then learn how to fit in and contribute to it in a valuable and meaningful way so that others can see the value of something larger than themselves.
Learned tolerance for others and their habits, was exposed to other cultures and norms, and I suppose in hindsight I was just fortunate enough that the Sponz wanted to check out the house at the corner of Hill and Oxford during rush week back in January of 1985. I would like to say that I had it all planned out, but that would be far from the truth.
Being accepted by the men at the Michigan Chapter was the highlight of my undergrad days. So many more I am sure, but as those familiar with my academic pursuits would know, academics, while important, were never my strong suit, as I was elected president while on double secret academic probation. So graduating itself was likely the first of many lessons in perseverance and personal growth, I suppose.
When you look back on your time in Delta Chi, what moments do you tend to remember most?
Being called Snapper. All the shenanigans, such as bottle rocket fights, trips to Chi Chi’s after Chapter Meetings, winning Greek Week in ’86, kidnapping the pledges and taking them to MSU, and Doug Godbold’s ’86 bloody mary breakfasts, Road Rallies and apple fights on I-75 come to mind… I am sure that there are more in there somewhere, like Steve Kappy Kaprelian coaching us up in basketball by telling us to “choose tall parents” or Patrick Cheung ’84 endlessly trying to explain how to create a “ladder tournament” during Greek Week, or Scott Imlach ’90 resorting to visual aids during his chapter presentations. Also, the fall Pig Roasts, Pass the Gavel sessions, the Light, Dork and Wedge awards, Initiation nights, making mix tapes for parties, walking like a Sponseller, and Kevin Kelly ’87 and John Kerrigan ’88 randomly dropping off free pizza from Domino’s. Always put a smile on my face, even now.
Left to right, Doug Godbold ’86 and Scott Imlach ’89 hanging out in Heaven. |
Can you share any photos of you back at Michigan or today? Photos with fellow Delta Chi’s are welcome!
For being a photographer, you would think I would have photos to share. So many were lost over the years. Pictured are a few that survived.
Anything else you’d like to add?
Anyone interested in law, HR, Labor Relations or working for the State of Michigan can feel free to contact me at any time. I’d be glad to help you out. Feel free to reach out to me at (517) 243-5356 or [email protected].
Fadanelli, pictured here working on reading comprehension, no doubt. |
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