FUN IN THE SUN AND IMPORTANT WORK FOR YOUR BOARD OF GOVERNORS The LAI Hawaii Biennial Congress Weekend is approaching fast. [Read More]

In an interview with one of the founding members of LAI, James Massey shared the history behind the Lambda Alpha International logo and membership pin. As a student of Richard T. Ely, Massey made a mold of Ely's signet ring that included a helmet and motto from Ely's coat of arms.

Massey made a linoleum cutting and brought it to Balfour, a designer of college jewelry. Balfour made the first ring that included a diamond somewhere in the design. It was given to Richard T. Ely on March 29, 1931 signifying his honorarium as the first member of Lambda Alpha International. It was then that the first chapter of Lambda Alpha International was named for him.

Subsequent membership pins were made from that original mold.

(Special thanks to Larry Lund of the Ely Chapter for this information)

Most Local Chapters have an assigned Chapter Scribe, or someone who is designated to communicate chapter news to the International Scribe and Headquarters. If you have not already done so, we strongly encourage you to assign that task to a member.

With our monthly on-line KeyNotes and two printed editions, we are always eager to receive news from the chapters. We are especially interested in feature articles of 600-800 words written in a journalistic style (articles about the same length as the op-ed piece in your local newspaper). If someone has an issue they feel is relevant to the entire organization, please contact the International Scribe (currently Jim Fawcett) or Barbara Morris at LAI headquarters.

Has your chapter recently held an initiation ceremony? Let us know and we'll include details in the next issue of KeyNotes. We'd love to publicize special events hosted by chapters. Send us your story and we'll publish it.

And, we'd love to have pictures! With the advent of digital photography, it's easier than ever to get your photos printed. Just email them to Barbara Morris at bmorris@association-mgmt.com (must be in .gif or .jpg formats).

We would also like to remember prominent members who have passed away. Send us details so that we can include them in our In Memoriam section of KeyNotes.

New Real Estate Research Resource
The National Association of REALTORS® has implemented a new Field Guide to Real Estate Research Centers. Links are provided to more than 40 academic institutions and independent organizations around the country that have established research centers to study real estate-related issues and trends. These resources include state and local association libraries as well as various Internet sites. To access, go to: http://www.realtor.org/libweb.nsf/pages/fg005.

William Kreager Inducted Into American Institute of Architect's College of Fellows
William Kreager (Puget Sound Chapter) was inducted into the American Institute of Architect's prestigious College of Fellows in a ceremony at Salk Institute in La Jolla, California. The May 9 event was the featured highlight during the 2003 AIA National Convention and Design Exposition in San Diego, California.

AIA Fellowship is an honor awarded to AIA members who have made substantial contributions to the architecture profession. Kreager earned the distinction of Fellow through more than 20 years of dedicated leadership in the AIA and other professional organizations including the Urban Land Institute and National Association of Home Builders. He was one of only five architects in Washington State to earn the status of AIA Fellow this year and one of only 63 in the nation.

Kreager works for Seattle-based Mithun which provides architecture, landscape architecture, interior design and urban planning services.

LAI Member Rudayna Abdo Named Director, AICP & Professional Development
Chicago, IL: Paul Farmer, Executive Director and CEO of the American Planning Association and its professional institute, the American Institute of Certified Planners, announced the appointment of Ms. Rudanya Abdo, AICP, as its Director of AICP & Professional Development.

In this position, MS. Abdo will guide the professional development initiatives of the American Institute of Certified Planners, including its national certification program for professional planners, ethics, continuing education, and partnerships in societies of professionals involved with the built environment. These activities serve a growing membership of over 14,000 certified planners in the U.S. and abroad.

Ms. Abdo has professional planning experience in both public and private sectors in the United States and Canada, having received her Master of Urban Planning degree from McGill University and Bachelor of Science with a Concentration in Architecture from MIT. In addition to the U.S. and Canada, she has lived in Lebanon, Greece and Dubai.

University of San Diego Announces Master of Science in Real Estate for Fall 2004
SAN DIEGO, August 11, 2003 - The University of San Diego has now added a Master of Science in Real Estate (MSRE) degree to its School of Business Administration graduate programs. The University is currently accepting applications for its MSRE degree to begin in August 2004. The MSRE program was developed by the Real Estate Institute and is designed to bridge the gap between academics and practitioners.

"With over 32 units in dedicated real estate courses and hands-on projects, our graduate students will be exposed to the multidisciplinary nature of real estate and be exceptionally prepared when they enter the workforce," said Dr. Elaine Worzala, director of the MSRE program. "This unique degree combines fundamental real estate principles with specialized courses, allowing students to explore many facets of the industry."

The MSRE program is an 11-month, primarily full-time cohort-based program, with the potential to enroll highly experienced and motivated part-time students. By offering a curriculum that develops specialized skills through an interactive approach, students will be equipped with the leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills necessary to compete in today's economy.

"The Policy Advisory Board of the Real Estate Institute is represented by over 60 local, regional, and national real estate professionals," said Dr. Mark Riedy, director of the Real Estate Institute. "As a result of our strong industry support, our students will benefit by their direct connection with the real estate profession."

For more information on the program and for an application, please visit the Real Estate Institute website at www.usdrealestate.com.