Department: Features
Looking Back, Thinking Forward
Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6
Interview Four: Jack Hotaling
Jack Hotaling (Syracuse ’53) served as Eminent Supreme Recorder from 1969 until 1978, steering the Fraternity through a tumultuous decade. He recieved the Distinguished Service Award, the Fraternity’s highest honor, in 2005. During his tenure, he also served as editor ofThe Record.
We suffered through the ’60s and the ’70s. But the Supreme Council was extraordinarily supportive. We did everything we could to keep the chapters alive. But it was tough. We had minimal field staff.
The best way to work with a board is to have your finger on everything and your fingerprints on nothing.
The Fraternity has always had a way of having the right person at the right time.
When I took office, I knew that we had to find a way to keep the Official Family together. For 10 years, I wrote a newsletter to every member every Friday. Simple. It was to keep everyone feeling that they were part of it.
I felt the antagonism the Vietnam War was having on fraternities, on all of us.
I brought a representative of the student movement to a meeting of the staff to talk to us. The staff was resistant, but I think they went away with a little more understanding.
We had to make sure that we were never judgmental.
It’s very easy for me to understand the concern the students have over the Iraq war, but not the intensity.
If there was any focus for Leadership School, the fact that they were at mecca was important. Everything was held at the Temple.
Lauren Foreman used to say the greatest thing he ever did was to appoint Judge Nippert as chairman of the building committee. Everything there speaks to the Fraternity and to its ideals, what holds us together.
We had a friend who was running for Congress and he wanted me to run his campaign. I decided I wanted to leave and do it, but I wanted to come back to the ESR job. The board told me no, saying that “if you go, you’re gone.” While I wasn’t happy at the time, it was probably the right decision.
I’m back, in a way. I have a grandson.
I never thought that it would be such a life-changing experience. I had my two sons and the growing-up process is as worthwhile as anything you can experience. But it’s totally different with a grandson. I can’t describe it.
I delight in seeing my son as a father. And he’s a good one. A good one.
I’ve been married since 1971. 38 years this July. The most enjoyable part is that she’s my best friend.
May 5th, 2009at 9:08 am(#)
Great Interview. I was there when John won the award. What a proud moment. I had only known him for a short amount of time and already knew he deserved it.
Meeting Miss America wasn’t bad either.
May 5th, 2009at 9:52 am(#)
I and several of my Tennessee Delta brothers have been going to the SAE National Amateur golf tournament for about 20 years. The first and foremost reason is Ken Jernigan. I am sure that any other regular to the tournament would tell you the same. Ken is the epitome of the “True Gentleman” and his tireless work and devotion to his local chapter and the tournament are truly inspiring. Through the good times and the bad, Ken and his tournament committee have made the tournament not only fun, but an honor to SAE and what it represents. I am proud to call Ken a brother and will never forget him, or any of the other E’s around the country that I have had the pleasure to meet and become friends with through my participation in the tournament.
May 5th, 2009at 10:41 am(#)
Hello Brothers,
Great job on the Record! Keep it up.
Phi Alpha
Vance Thomas
May 5th, 2009at 12:36 pm(#)
The A. Rice interview highlights the genuine courage of a young SAE; he is an inspiration to all that read this – great job telling this story!
May 5th, 2009at 12:42 pm(#)
I thoroughly enjoyed the interview with E. Wesley Ely, M.D. It’s nice to hear about someone who has the right priorities in place and understands the gifts he’s been given. What a great man to be able to call a brother.
May 5th, 2009at 4:36 pm(#)
I had the pleasure of playing in the SAE golf tournament for the first time in 2008. Ken was the person I contacted to get into the tournament and gave me all the information I needed to make the cross country trip from California. He also introduced me to a great number of SAE’s from all over the country that had been participating in the tournament for a number of years. Ken showed me that he is one of the reasons we all became E’s. He is a True Genteleman and I am proud to have gotten to know him. I will see you all at the end of the month for the 2009 tournament.
And to Gene Flathman…..I am bringing back the Ipod and the dirty towel.
Phi Alpha,
Ryan Miller
May 6th, 2009at 8:51 am(#)
It is really great to hear Jack Hotaling is still a part of the fraternity. Many of the things he said during those years of upheaval were not really understood. It was taken as being sympathetic to the radical movement. Some said even uglier things.
When I became Archon of the chapter, Jack told me that we had to be non-judgemental about the issues we faced and yes, it was tough, especially when we had demonstrations.
Jack taught me to be the one of the best Preceptor’s in the fraternity and every time I did that part for a new chapter especially, I still remember what he said about the manner in which the Preceptor’s role should be taken: you are a teacher, not a preacher.
Thanks for a great interview, though short. And hello to Jack Hotaling, a great brother to this fraternity.
May 6th, 2009at 10:48 am(#)
Jack–
It’s been so many years since I’ve seen you (it doesn’t seem like 50, but it is). I remember all of the tireless work you put in at NY Delta and what great shape we all left the chapter in upon graduation. I still am in frequent contact with Lee Kirk, Ben Adams, Bill Vrooman and Phil Stevens.
I, too am a grandfather to 7 year old twin boys. They definitely are the love of my life. My sons and I started a winery in Southern California; check it out on the web.
Best of health and happiness to you.
In the bonds,
Fred
May 11th, 2009at 12:04 am(#)
I have known and respected Ken Jernigan for almost 40 years (he was my high school Science teacher). He has embodied the most esteemed “True Gentleman” doctrine in all ways of his life and I am proud to call him friend and brother. No better example could be found; and I am so glad that others have recognized his noble nature. May God continue to bless him and his family – as Ken has been such a blessing to all who have known him.
August 20th, 2009at 8:34 pm(#)
Aaron,
As a military veteran and SAE myself…thanks brother for serving our country…jb