Jack L. Anson
Encyclopedia
Jack Lee Anson was an important leader in the American college interfraternity movement, and was known as "Mr. Fraternity." Under Anson's leadership as executive director
of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
, college fraternities and sororities gained an exemption from Title IX
legislation to preserve the single-sex nature of the organizations.
, Anson graduated from high school there and worked briefly as a sports reporter for the Huntington Herald-Press
. He then served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge
and became the Army's youngest master sergeant
following his actions in the battle. He graduated from Colgate University
in 1948 where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Fraternity.
in a number of positions culminating with his appointment as executive director. In 1970, Anson became executive director of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
, a position he held until his retirement in 1982. His most significant achievement was his leadership in the effort to gain an exemption from Title IX to retain the single-sex character of American college fraternities and sororities. When Title IX was first passed, it looked as though student organizations such as fraternities and sororities would have to become co-educational. With the help of Senator Birch Bayh
, a fraternity man and other friendly members of Congress, an exemption was gained that has not been in significant jeopardy of repeal since that time.
He was the author of The Golden Jubilee History of Phi Kappa Tau in 1957, A Diamond Jubilee History of the National Interfraternity Conference: 75 Glorious Years in 1984 and at the time of his death he was serving as editor of the current edition of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities
.
. In addition, he was widely honored by men's and women's Greek-letter organizations for his contributions to the North American college fraternity movement including awards from Lambda Chi Alpha
, Delta Gamma
and others.
In Anson's memory, the Association of Fraternity Advisors
presents a Jack L. Anson Award and the National Interfraternal Foundation presents Jack L. Anson Fellowships.
Executive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
, college fraternities and sororities gained an exemption from Title IX
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a United States law, enacted on June 23, 1972, that amended Title IX of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. In 2002 it was renamed the Patsy T. Mink Equal Opportunity in Education Act, in honor of its principal author Congresswoman Mink, but is most...
legislation to preserve the single-sex nature of the organizations.
Early life and education
A native of Huntington, IndianaHuntington, Indiana
Huntington, known as the "Lime City", is a small city in and the county seat of Huntington County, Indiana, United States. It is in Huntington Township and Union Township...
, Anson graduated from high school there and worked briefly as a sports reporter for the Huntington Herald-Press
Huntington Herald-Press
The Herald-Press is the only daily newspaper published in Huntington County, Indiana.The newspaper was founded in 1848 as the Indiana Herald. In 1887 it was renamed to Huntington Herald, and in 1930 it merged with Huntington Press and became the Herald-Press. In the early 1960s, the paper was...
. He then served in the U.S. Army in the European Theater, fighting in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
and became the Army's youngest master sergeant
Master Sergeant
A master sergeant is the military rank for a senior non-commissioned officer in some armed forces.-Israel Defense Forces:Rav samal rishoninsignia IDF...
following his actions in the battle. He graduated from Colgate University
Colgate University
Colgate University is a private liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York, USA. The school was founded in 1819 as a Baptist seminary and later became non-denominational. It is named for the Colgate family who greatly contributed to the university's endowment in the 19th century.Colgate has 52...
in 1948 where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
Fraternity.
Career
He spent his entire career in the service of the North American college fraternity movement. He served his own fraternity, Phi Kappa TauPhi Kappa Tau
Phi Kappa Tau is a U.S. national collegiate fraternity.-History:Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity was founded in the Union Literary Society Hall of Miami University's Old Main Building in Oxford, Ohio on March 17, 1906...
in a number of positions culminating with his appointment as executive director. In 1970, Anson became executive director of the North-American Interfraternity Conference
North-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
, a position he held until his retirement in 1982. His most significant achievement was his leadership in the effort to gain an exemption from Title IX to retain the single-sex character of American college fraternities and sororities. When Title IX was first passed, it looked as though student organizations such as fraternities and sororities would have to become co-educational. With the help of Senator Birch Bayh
Birch Bayh
Birch Evans Bayh II is a former United States Senator from Indiana, having served from 1963 to 1981. He was a candidate for the Democratic nomination for president in the 1976 election, but lost to Jimmy Carter. He is the father of former Indiana Governor and former U.S. Senator Evan Bayh.-Life...
, a fraternity man and other friendly members of Congress, an exemption was gained that has not been in significant jeopardy of repeal since that time.
He was the author of The Golden Jubilee History of Phi Kappa Tau in 1957, A Diamond Jubilee History of the National Interfraternity Conference: 75 Glorious Years in 1984 and at the time of his death he was serving as editor of the current edition of Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities
Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities
Baird's Manual of American College Fraternities is a compendium of fraternities and sororities in the United States and Canada first published in 1879. It covers national and international general , professional, and honor fraternities, including defunct organizations, with an overview of each...
.
Legacy and honors
In 1985, Anson won the Interfraternity world's highest honor, the Gold Medal of the North-American Interfraternity ConferenceNorth-American Interfraternity Conference
The North-American Interfraternity Conference , is an association of collegiate men's fraternities that was formally organized in 1910, although it began on November 27, 1909. The power of the organization rests in a House of Delegates where each member fraternity is represented by a single delegate...
. In addition, he was widely honored by men's and women's Greek-letter organizations for his contributions to the North American college fraternity movement including awards from Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Chi Alpha
Lambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
, Delta Gamma
Delta Gamma
Delta Gamma is one of the oldest and largest women's fraternities in the United States and Canada, with its Executive Offices based in Columbus, Ohio.-History:...
and others.
In Anson's memory, the Association of Fraternity Advisors
Association of Fraternity Advisors
The Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors was founded in 1976 to support the professionals involved with advancing fraternity and sorority life as well as promote the fraternity and sorority experience.-Membership:...
presents a Jack L. Anson Award and the National Interfraternal Foundation presents Jack L. Anson Fellowships.