Alumnus takes pride in the success of fellow Fijis
Thanks to Dave Alexander ’62 for participating in this Q&A

Why did you join Fiji as an undergraduate?
I rushed multiple fraternities on campus and knew that I wanted to be a member of a fraternity.  Rush kind of gave me an idea of the makeup of the fraternity and the pledge class.  I had a better feeling with the pledge class and upper classmen at the Fiji house than I did other fraternities.

What is your favorite memory from your Fiji days? 
Being in a fraternity allows you to become close with people of many different interests than you.  We had brothers with different academic interests and backgrounds.  The house was made up of athletes, non athletes, musicians, Glee Club members and others with a wide variety of interests.

What is the single fondest memory you have shared/will share with your children and grandchildren?
The brotherhood and being a part of the fraternity is my fondest memory.  I had a great time for four years, there are many fond memories.  

How do you stay connected with your brothers as an alumnus?
The class of 1962 stays in touch by email and word of mouth.  I have lived in Lafayette since 1977.  I came back to Purdue as baseball coach until 1991.  I became an administrative assistant to the Athletic Director in 1991.  I was Purple Legionnaire and served as the president of the Fiji Graduate Chapter a number of years.  

What about your membership in Fiji makes you the most proud?
The success some of my fraternity and pledge brothers have had makes me proud; all have been successful.
 
How would your life be different today if you had never joined Fiji?
Tough question, I would have missed out on a lot.  I was a graduate student in 1963 and 64 and ate meals at house even though I didn’t live there, which allowed me to stay connected longer.  

If you could go back and relive one moment from your Fiji years, what would it be and why?
I can’t pick one moment, it was a great four years.

 Where has life taken you since graduation? What's new in your life today?
I coached basketball and baseball and taught U.S. History for 13 years at Bishop Chatard in Indianapolis.  In 1977 I came back to Purdue as baseball coach for 14 years.  In 1991 I became an Administrative Assistant to the Athletic Director.  I left Purdue in 1994 to become a scout for the Seattle Mariners, which I am currently doing part time.

Who do you stay connected with in your alumni years? Are there any brothers you've lost touch with whom you'd like to reconnect?
I’ve managed to stay in touch with my pledge brothers and other guys around my graduating class.  In fact, my pledge class is celebrating our 50th year this fall for the Illinois game on October 22nd.  Our entire pledge class will be attending minus the five that are deceased; however their widows will be there!  Email makes it easy to stay in touch and easy to locate people.  I’d like to reconnect with C. Lamar Gemberling ’61, I haven’t heard from him in a long time.

What is the best thing about your alumni experience?
When you meet brothers like astronaut Gene Cernan ’56, who is the last man to walk on the moon you realize that you both have something in common.  I remember when President Kennedy was assassinated, pledge brother Jim Poole ’62 and I went with Brian Lamb ‘63 of CSPAN fame to listen to wire reports at WASK.  Brian is going to have the School of Communications name in his honor.
Reconnect with Dave at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (765) 742-1639.