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12 Years Later, Fraternity Still Participates in Telethon to Honor Deceased Brother
Phi Kappa Tau brothers volunteer for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon in memory of Founding Father Jamie Labbe ﾃ｢€ 98.
By Megan Z. Shearin |ﾃモ ﾃモ September 17, 2010
Continuing the tradition: Phi Kappa Tau brothers Andrew Ray (left), Rob Johnson and Mike McCullough, along with Wavy Sportscaster Bruce Radar, work the Jerry Lewis Telethon to honor Jamie Labbe ﾃ｢€ 98.Itﾃ｢€ s been 12 years since Jamie Labbe ﾃ｢€ 98, Founding Father of Virginia Wesleyan Collegeﾃ｢€ s Phi Kappa Tau (PKT) fraternity, died from complications of muscular dystrophy.
And every year, members of PKT, along with Professor of Communications/Journalism Dr. Bill Ruehlmann, honor his memory by staffing the phones on Sunday night for the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA).ﾃモ The telethon is the single largest fundraiser for the MDA.
Ruehlmann and six brothers participated in this yearﾃ｢€ s telethon to honor Jamie, who passed in 1999.ﾃモ He was confined to a wheelchair as a student, but that didnﾃ｢€ t stop him from being active in campus life.ﾃモ In addition to starting the fraternity, he was President of the Student Government Association and the first computer editor of The Marlin Chronicle Student Newspaper.
Keeping his memory alive: A photograph in Dr. Bill Ruehlmannﾃ｢€ s office shows Jamie Labbe '98 sitting at a computer working on the student newspaper. "He made a difference ﾃ｢€" he still does," said Ruehlmann, pictured on the left."Like everybody else who knew him, I have never forgotten himﾃ｢€ said Ruehlmann, who will be retiring this May after 18 years of service to the College. Years ago when the College offered a non-credit, two-week January term, Labbe and Ruehlmann would spend their time away from classes teaching each other new skills.
ﾃ｢€ Every other day we would load his wheelchair on a van and go to a different museum in Hampton Roads; and every other day he would teach me electronic design in the newsroom,ﾃ｢€ recalled Ruehlmann.ﾃモ ﾃ｢€ His job was to enjoy the museums and formally assess their disability accessibility; my job was to learn how to punch the right keys.ﾃ｢€
Director of Community Service Diane Hotaling said the fraternityﾃ｢€ s volunteer efforts kick off community service at the College and set the tone for the entire academic year.
ﾃ｢€ Their consistent presence at this event signals a loyalty and commitment to a cause larger than self,ﾃ｢€ said Hotaling.ﾃモ ﾃ｢€ Itﾃ｢€ s been eight classes now since Jamie passed and although none of the current brothers knew Jamie, the chapter continues to honor his memory and support the telethon.ﾃ｢€
In the Hampton Roads area, the telethon raised $716,468, according to Administrative Assistant with the MDA Cecelia Oﾃ｢€ Connor.ﾃモ The national MDA telethon raised nearly $59 million.
ﾃ｢€ For the past 12 years Virginia Wesleyanﾃ｢€ s Phi Kappa Tau fraternity has supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association,ﾃ｢€ said Oﾃ｢€ Connor, who worked with the brothers during the event.ﾃモ ﾃ｢€ They graciously man the phone bank and work our mail room center.ﾃモ It is with great pride to work with them each year.ﾃ｢€
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