NIC Blog
Remembering Jim Vredenburgh of Theta Xi Fraternity
Tags: interfraternalism, Theta Xi, Jim Vredenburgh, Gold Medal
It is with a heavy heart that we share the news from Theta Xi Fraternity that James E. Vredenburgh passed away on March 8, 2012. Jim served as the Executive Director of Theta Xi Fraternity and provided 38 years of interfraternal service. Vredenburgh is survived by his wife Caren, his sons Mike and Steve, his daughter-in-law Whitney, grand-daughter Ainsley, and his mother Carmella.
Jim was a 2011 recipient of the NIC Gold Medal. The following remarks were shared at that presentation this summer.
Good evening, I am Pete Smithhisler, president and CEO of the North-American Interfraternity Conference. I am honored to be here this evening to celebrate with Theta Xi and be able to recognize one of your brothers for his outstanding service to the fraternal community.
First presented in 1940, the Gold Medal recognizes lifetime service to the fraternity movement. Recipients of the Gold Medal are models of selfless service, visionary leadership, and courage of conviction. When considering nominations, the awards committee takes into account tenure of service, interfraternal leadership, and a dedication to advancing the fraternal movement.
For nearly 40 years, Mr. James Vredenburgh, Jr. has given of his time, his talents, and his service to the fraternity movement. Professionally, Jim began his service to Theta Xi as a junior staff member in 1974 and was named executive director in 1981. In the interfraternal community, he served on the Fraternity Executive Association Board of Directors between 1987-1994, joined as a founding member of the Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group (FIPG) in 1987 and served as the first Secretary from 1987-1992, and has been a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary for FRMT, LTD. from 1992 to the present.
The Awards committee received an remarkable number of letters of support for him. Among the sentiments that were shared were the following:
Theta Xi national president, Donald Meringer, writes "Jim's service to Theta Xi has not only been long in duration, it has been of great distinction. Jim has demonstrated leadership within our organization by moving us forward on every significant issue that has confronted the fraternity world."
Gold Medalist Ray Orians, Pi Kappa Alpha, writes "I have known Jim for 27 years as a professional colleague, and more importantly, an interfraternal friend. Jim has been an advocate of the benefits of membership in the NIC and he has epitomized what it means to be a committed and dedicated leader to not only his fraternity but the greater bonds of brotherhood which so many deeply cherish."
Another Gold Medalist, Bill Bernier, Sigma Tau Gamma, writes "Theta Xi fraternity today is true to the Standards and a credit to the NIC in large measure because of the leadership, integrity, and dedication of Jim Vredenburgh."
Fellow Executive Director, Brad Beacham, Sigma Nu, writes "Jim leads by example; he has never been too busy or too successful to assist an interfraternal colleague or take on an assignment to advance the movement. To do this for a few years is remarkable; but, to do it for more than 27 years is exceptional and worthy of this high honor."
We have all seen that Jim represents not only the best of Theta Xi Fraternity, but also the collective fraternal movement. He is a fraternity man of the highest order and it is my pleasure to present Theta Xi brother, Jim Vredenburgh with the NIC Gold Medal.
Information about funeral arrangements will be available on www.ThetaXi.org. More information about his passing was shared in the following announcement from Theta Xi: http://bit.ly/wHfTk2.
