The 76th Kovner Banquet had everything that PA Alpha Delta would expect — memorials, awards, brotherhood, camaraderie… plus all the things that could comically go wrong. It was the same day as Homecoming and Parents’ Day, Temple lost to Navy in the last 60 seconds of the game, a rodeo broke out on Broad Street (no joke, you should have seen all the bedazzled cowboy hats), and a few slightly pickled undergrads predictably slurred through their speeches. 

These challenges only added to the flavor of the event, and as always “The House That Leads” turned coal into “acres of diamonds.” The event was hosted in the historic and spacious Mitten Hall, and was attended by more than 80 brothers representing seven decades of PA Alpha Delta “Jolly Laddies.” And miraculously, this year Temple Facilities had the place all set up before we got there.

Snaps to the Kovner planning committee who volunteer their time and efforts to plan and make sure this event runs smoothly — Jim Kelsh, Chris Cataldi, Kevin Mickelberg, Rick Hahn, Rich Travaglini, Shawn Mahoney, and Paul Lucas.

Photo Gallery

Paul Lucas ’94 honored with the Pi Lambda Phi Council Key

Paul Lucas passed into the Chapter Eternal on August 16, 2025 after years of battling cancer and other complications. Paul was a beloved brother, known by generations of Pi Lams because he was ever-present at Pi Lam and Temple activities. In 35 years he never missed a Kovner Banquet, and he was always “working the room” to make an effort to share time, laughs (and drinks) with everyone there. 

To honor Paul’s memory and commitment to Pi Lambda Phi, Executive Director Ian Lowe joined us to recognize his contributions to Pi Lambda Phi and present the Council Key to Paul posthumously. His little brother, John Keegan accepted the award. The Council Key is a prestigious award given to a brother for providing meritorious service over a number of years. Only five brothers from the PA Alpha Delta chapter have received the award.

Paul’s wife, Vickie was unable to attend, but sent this message:

”Thank you for honoring Paul. When we got home the day after he passed away, the only thing in the mailbox was the invitation for tonight. The first thing I thought was Paul’s going to be so upset to miss it. But I know that he’s not missing it because he will be there in your stories, and in your hearts.”

As Vickie predicted, many of Paul’s classmates shared some of their more colorful memories about Paul during “Good and Welfare.”

Thank you to our dedicated alumni!

The tradition of the Kovner Banquet would not be possible without alumni who continue to attend the event and support it. Brothers from all eras attend the event which speaks to our motto, “Not Four Years But a LIfetime.” Many brothers, like the gentlemen from the 1970s, plan months in advance to make travel plans and contact each other to make sure their classmates attend. Other more spontaneous brothers wander in off the street on the night of the event and say, “I’m here!” We welcome and appreciate both very much, but prefer the planners.

Snaps to Executive Director Ian Lowe who traveled to experience the banquet. Ian was instrumental in in re-founding our chapter in 2009 and was very flattering in his words about the PA Alpha Delta brotherhood, and our proud history saying, “PA Alpha Delta is the best Pi Lam chapter ever.” (OK, his speech may have been slightly embellished by a Temple brother.) Ian won us over, and in spite of proud Philadelphia traditions, he was not booed nor pelted with dinner rolls.

Undergrads attended free

Thank you to the generous alumni who sponsored undergrads so they could attend the banquet for free!

Alex Billotte ’12, Matthew Blyler ’96, Brian Booth ’17, Tom Caridi ’77, Chris Cataldi ’96, Jake Ehrlich ’22, Neil Flanagan ’93, Spencer Glass 1983, Rick Hahn 1994, Jarrod Johnson 1997, Irving Koffler 1962, John Lewin ’98, Alan Markowitz ’79, Roger Rosenblum ’60, Nate Ross ’84, Greg Staub ’79, Rich Travaglini ’78, Dan Walus ’18, Morrie Wiener ’64, Robert Yeager ’68, and Jerry Zivan ’66.

Undergraduate Awards

Kovner is not just a celebration of the past, it also recognizes the accomplishments of the active brotherhood. 

Congratulations to our 2025 Award recipients!

• Shawn J. Battle Purple and Gold Spirit Award – Dylan Lanza
• Athletic Achievement Award –  Harry Conran
• Jerome R. Balka Award –  Jackson Batchellor
• Alfred L. Kovner Memorial Award – Anthony Hatz

See you in 2026!

Thank you PA Alpha Delta brothers for making the 76th Kovner Banquet another success! We can’t do it without you, and Pi Lam events are always more fun with your classmates. Please help us out in 2026 by contacting your classmates. Better yet, volunteer for the 2026 Kovner planning committee.