August 10, 2005

Josst Keesing is the first recipient to the annual Duane Deal award at the Chapter Leadership Conference XI in Dayton, Ohio. "I was surprised and honored to be chosen for the first annual Duane Deal Award. Although I've stayed in the background the last few years, I plan to resume a more active role as alumnus advisor in the upcoming year. The men at Omega have accomplished some great things the past year, and their accomplishments have been recognized by both Penn State and our International Headquarters" said Joost.

Duane Deal was initiated into the Gamma Phi Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity at the Nebraska Wesleyan University and graduated in 1947. He served as Faculty Advisor for Theta Chi Fraternity Delta Kappa Chapter at Ball State University from 1952, one year after the chapter was installed, until his death in the summer of 2001. During his time at Ball State University he served on 50 Ball State Councils and Committees and received the first Faculty Service Award in 1972. And in 1997 he became an honorary member of Delta Kappa Chapter. At the International level, Brother Deal was Regional Counselor for the Northern and Southern Ohio Regions from 1952 to 1976 and he also attended and facilitated about 20 national events. He was honored with the Citation of Honor, Alumni Award, the Silver Legion and Golden Guard Awards, and was the 2000 Theta Chi for Life Award recipient. While at Ball State, he witnessed the initiation of more than 1,100 men into Delta Kappa, and he rarely missed a chapter meeting. When he passed away, his impact on the chapter was fully realized and was greatly missed. At a memorial service held on campus, hundreds of faculty members, administrators, former students and many undergraduate and alumnus members of Theta Chi Fraternity listened to anecdotes and praise for Duane Deal. The Duane E. Deal Award goes to an individual whom has given long and dedicated service to a chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity.