Alumni Spotlight

Charles B. Valder, Jr.

Augusta State '82

The Brotherhood of a Lifetime means many different things to members of Delta Chi. In the case of brothers like Charlie Valder, it carried a deeper meaning.

Charlie Valder was always eager to help out. In 1944 he joined the U.S. Merchant Marines to help secure the nation’s waterways and commercial shipping routes during World War II.  In 1947, Valder joined the U.S. Army and served the country in the Korean Conflict. Once that was done, he moved on to fight and serve in Vietnam, eventually reaching the rank of Master Sergeant.

And after 30+ years in service of his country, Valder enrolled at the Augusta State University to study Sociology. It was there that a group of young men involved him in the action of establishing a Delta Chi colony.  As a 53-year old freshman, Valder was decidedly a non-traditional student.  Being the natural leader, Charlie was chosen the colony’s first “A” and his influence is still felt today.

Julia Valder receiving the Sir Edward Coke Club Plaque on behalf of her father Charles Valder

Once he was done with his stint as an undergraduate, Valder continued to influence chapters and young men acrossthe Southeast, especially in Georgia and Florida. He worked extensively with Russ Driscoll, Florida ’57.

“Charlie got involved with us in Florida in the early 90’s when we were trying to get the South Florida chapter started, said Driscoll. “He was always there and loved to be a part of “The Handshake Across the Century”.

For many of the conventions that Valder attended, he served as the “FF” or Sergeant at Arms.   Serving as “FF” was mostly a ceremonial title, except for the time when the convention was held in New Orleans in 1987. “That one was tough on Charlie, Driscoll said. “He had a heck of a time keeping some of those boys in line down there. He really had to work that time.”