A key commemorating the 75th anniversary of the North Carolina Chapter was placed in NCSU’s Free Expression Tunnel in 1979. Due to later construction projects, it was removed and held in storage at a nearby farm educational unit. NC Alumni began raising money and suggested that the key move to a new home. Two years ago, the NC chapter began working to find a new place for the key and a way to honor alumni.
This fall, Lauren Mabry was appointed Key Committee Head and has worked tirelessly with alumni and committee members to help place it at the Bill Fike Crop Science Teaching Unit. Not only is the unit a great place for the key, but it is also a tribute to the memory of one of the chapter’s great alumni. Dr. Bill Fike was an alumni member of the North Carolina Chapter, served as advisor for a number of years, and touched many students’ lives as a faculty member.
The Key Committee worked with various companies to remove the key from its old home, clean it and place it at the field unit. Alumni helped design the brick setting design. The unveiling event was held on May 5th after a cookout of hot dogs and hamburgers. 36 brothers, 2 advisors and 4 alumni were in attendance including the family of Dr. Bill Fike. Brothers arrived early at the Beef Educational Unit classroom to cook hotdogs and hamburgers. They also decorated for the event with flowers and other AZ displays. Each brother was encouraged to bring a side dish such as potatoes or a dessert. After lunch, Lauren Mabry and Dr. Bob Patterson spoke about the keys history as well as Dr. Fike’s lasting impact on Alpha Zeta. Next, everyone carpooled to the key for the ribbon cutting and unveiling.
Brothers learned a lot from alumni about chapter history and alumni enjoyed hearing about our activities. The key is something that our chapter is very proud of. In the future, we will continue to show our pride by planting flowers around the brick base.