Meet Our 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees
David Shelby 1950
Brother David Shelby strongly and happily emphasizes his life and career have been a series of great breaks. And those breaks have always been of benefit to him.
By knowing Dave Shelby you know he valued the lessons provided by his parents. Alongside his mom he made the best of what was a disadvantaged beginning that stemmed from his father leaving them on their own when Dave was only six years old. His mother held the family together and instilled positives that came from the simple phrase, “Do your job well”.
A mentor provided scholarship funding so Brother Shelby could attend YMCA Camp Wilson. It became a constant for Dave as he worked there providing wages while working as a counselor and swim instructor. Eventually, he would graduate from North H.S. and move on to The Ohio State University, where he started with $50 in his pocket from his mom’s savings.
Dave lived at home during his freshman and sophomore years. To pay for college, he worked night jobs that included The University Club, a railroad, and a concrete company. To add more income, Dave joined the Air Force ROTC that paid $100 per month. Ultimately, he became a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserves giving 23 years of service.
Entering his junior year at Ohio State, Dave pledged Kappa Sigma. Brothers Pennell and Mitchell were his advocates. Dave served Kappa Sigma as its Grand Procurator but prior to that office, he handled the duties of working services alongside the house manager, again to help with his personal finances.
Following graduation, Brother Shelby plugged into education and athletics. First, the Upper Arlington Superintendent of Schools hired Dave into a teaching position with the high school. After only six years, Dave had become the school’s tennis coach and was elevated to Assistant Principal. In 1969, he became Principal of Jones Junior High school where he helped bring the sport of lacrosse into the athletics program. Dave served as a lacrosse official for 23 years.
Dave Shelby has always been active in the community. He has been a past president of Charity Newsies, Central Ohio Lung Association, Vision Center and was once Grand Marshall of the Upper Arlington Fourth of July parade. He is a member of the Ohio Tennis Coach’s Hall of Fame, the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame and the Upper Arlington Educator’s Hall of Fame.
Brother Shelby is beloved by thousands of UAHS graduates and frequently attends high school class reunions. A remarkable man of many talents and qualities, his is most worthy of the Star and Crescent. He and his wife, Jan, were married 52 years, raised three daughters, have five grandchildren and three great grandchildren.
Submitted by: Walt Shuler and Ken Holcomb in nomination of David Shelby 1950 for 2024 Hall of Fame
Larry Snyder 1962
Larry was born 1943 in Wooster, Ohio where he grew up and graduated from high school, later being named to the Wooster HS Hall of Fame. Larry begin his undergraduate studies in the fall of 1961, having received a football scholarship. He played for the late Woody Hayes and, although suffering a knee injury his sophomore year, he played all four years. Larry was one of “Woody’s Boys,” making himself and teammates better football players. Larry completed his undergraduate education in 1965 with a BS in Education.
Larry pledged Kappa Sigma, was initiated in 1962 and has benefitted Kappa Sigma by being one of the early pioneers during college to help recruit quality students for membership, especially the football players who have brought much honor to our fraternity (Greg Lashutka, Ike Kelley, Don Dwyer and Gary Miller just to name a few). Larry was one to whom other brothers came for honest and straightforward advice.
His teaching enabled Larry to forego a military commitment. Instead, Larry volunteered for military service. His duty sent him to Vietnam after only three weeks of marriage to Leslie. Larry would fulfill military duties and then enroll in Ohio State and earn a Master’s degree in history while also serving as a graduate assistant for the Buckeye football team.
Entering teaching again, Larry started his career with the Columbus Public Schools at Whetstone High School and for the next thirty-six years taught in numerous Columbus schools. He also coached football, wrestling, cross country, track and even girls’ soccer and gymnastics. Unknown to most, he would purchase equipment and supplies for needy students out of his own pocket. His success as an educator can best be exemplified by his selection as Teacher of the Year at every school he taught. His trademarks as a person have always centered around generosity, compassion, hard work and a driving desire for life-long learning as exemplified by his teaching after retirement to online students for another eleven years.
In retirement Larry found time to serve as a volunteer for Meals on Wheels, help provide meals for the homeless at the Y-Family Center and Faith Mission, volunteer at Worthington Kilbourne to help the football program and serve as a mentor for Senior School Projects and been elected as both a deacon and elder in his church.
In recent years, Larry contributed to and helped recruit others to take part in the Rise to the Challenge Building Campaign, not to mention actively participating in both Project Rebounds and assisting with the Thursday night Homecoming Celebrations of Kappa Sigma. He was a member of the initial focus group regarding Alpha Sigma going forward and most recently was one of five brothers to initiate the monthly Kappa Sigma luncheon open to all brothers held at the Varsity Club.
The Alpha-Sigma chapter’s HOF was created, “to honor and recognize those brothers whose contributions and service have brought honor to the AE of KE Fraternity,” Few have better fulfilled those requirements than Larry Snyder who has served and contributed to his country, his community, the educating and mentoring of young people, his faith, family and fraternity.
Larry currently resides with his lovely wife of 57 years, Leslie Snyder. The couple have two daughters and numerous grandchildren in Columbus, Ohio.
Submitted by: Greg Lashutka and Bob Weltlich in nomination of Larry Snyder for 2024 Hall of Fame
Dave Mader 1965
Brother Mader was born on July 24, 1944 in Lewiston, Maine. After completing most of his pre-college education in the Sidney, Ohio school system, he graduated from Upper St. Clair High School in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania in 1962. He is currently a resident of Middleton, Massachusetts, a Boston suburb.
Dave enrolled at Ohio State in the fall of 1962, and following four years of undergraduate study he graduated with a BS in Marketing in December of 1966. He pledged Kappa Sigma in the fall of 1964, and was initiated along with 12 other brothers in the spring of 1965. He became active in recruiting Alpha-Sigma prospects during his undergraduate years, playing a role in rush activities during the school year, as well as at summer rush functions. He served as Alpha- Sigma chapter’s Grand Procurator for the 1965-66 school year. With the completion of the “New Wing” at 1842 Indianola in the summer of 1966, he returned to the campus 10 days prior to classes beginning to participate with others in clean-up and refurbishing efforts in the original house.
Upon graduation, Dave reported to Newport, Rhode Island for Naval Officer Candidate School, and was commissioned in June of 1967. He served for 18 months aboard the frigate USS Willis A. Lee, and then served a year shore based at Naval Support Activity Danang, South Vietnam. His civilian career began in September of 1970, when he joined Owens-Corning Fiberglas, where he would enjoy a 30-year career. His sales, sales management, and marketing positions found him residing in many cities throughout the country, including the company’s Toledo, Ohio headquarters. A 3- year position in Toronto, Ontario entailed overseeing the assimilation of a division of a Canadian acquisition into Owens-Corning. He completed his career as Regional General Manager of the Northeast Region in Boston.
Dave has been a significant financial contributor to the Alpha-Sigma chapter, and was active in the fund-raising efforts of the Rise to the Challenge building campaign. He was a participant in both the 2018 and 2019 Project Rebound work sessions, focused on clean-up and refurbishment of The House on the Hill and its property. He has been a regular Homecoming event attendee since his 2000 retirement.
In 2022, he assembled a collection of photos of Alpha-Sigma historical interest and of homecoming events into a photo album titled “A Lifetime of Kappa Sigma,” and had it professionally printed. Nearly 30 Alpha-Sigma brothers showed interest and have purchased copies. In 2023 Dave served along with Brother Walt Shuler as a liaison/co-facilitator of a focus group established to help chart the future of an Alpha-Sigma chapter going forward. The input from that focus group has helped guide the direction of current re-charter efforts for the chapter.
Submitted by: Jeff Shaw and Bob Lowrie in nomination of Dave Mader for 2024 Hall of Fame
John Hilbert III 1989
John Hilbert III is the legacy of alumnus John "Jack" Hilbert II (1962). Jack strongly encouraged his sons to join Alpha-Sigma chapter of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity once accepted by The Ohio State University. His sons John III and Rob Hilbert (2000) are members.
John was initiated on May 25, 1989 and he graduated in 1993. John graduated among the very top in his class earning his bachelor’s degree in business. His impact on Kappa Sigma and the student body of The Ohio State University spoke of leadership over his four years of undergraduate service. Brother Hilbert III went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Washington & Lee University (1997).
His commitment to making Kappa Sigma a well-respected Greek organization as well as creating a brotherhood that was fun-filled meant John applied himself in two very different areas. He served as the fraternity’s Fathers Weekend Chair. His work also came in the form of being chairman of philanthropy for Alpha-Sigma chapter helping the philanthropic partner, the Hannah-Neil Foundation
The role Brother Hilbert III held within the University allowed him to carve a path towards business during his pursuit of his BS degree. Representing Kappa Sigma, John was the chairman of Greek Week for the campus Greek System. He served as the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) as its Chief of Staff. Finally, John would serve all Ohio State students by serving first as USG Vice President and, finally, USG President for Ohio State students. As a member of the Young Republican Club at OSU and upon graduation, Brother Hilbert was chosen to attend the Republican National Convention, a move which influenced his decision to seek Washington D.C. for business.
Moving into the business sector post-college, Brother Hilbert III would eventually find himself as a government affairs advocate of the highest order. Currently, John is the owner of KHA Consultants, a government affairs firm located in Washington D.C. He also serves as the CEO of Vanitec Limited, a business operation with home office operations in London, U.K.
John happily married Kenneth Graham in 2003. He is a parent of one child, Warren Hilbert-Graham, who was born in 2009. The Hilbert-Graham family make their home in Annapolis, MD.
Submitted by: Walt Shuler in nomination of John Hilbert III for 2024 Hall of Fame