Stan Cherrie, Phil Vassar recognized with the Distinguished Achievement Award
This past spring semester, Theta Chi recognized two alumnus members with the Distinguished Achievement Award: Brigadier General Stanley F. Cherrie (Beta Delta/Rutgers 1964) and musician Phil Vassar (Eta Kappa/James Madison 1984). The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes outstanding accomplishments outside of the Fraternity. Past recipients have been significant figures in government, academia, athletics, entertainment, and the military.
Below is information about each of the recipients:
Brigadier General Stanley F. Cherrie (Beta Delta/Rutgers 1964)
Brother Stanley F. Cherrie received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Rutgers University in 1964, where he played catcher for the baseball team, offensive guard and linebacker for the football team and was a member of the Rutgers ROTC, of which he is now enshrined in their Hall of Fame. He served two assignments in Vietnam and completed tours in Germany, Saudi Arabia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Cherrie started out as a second lieutenant and rose amongst the ranks to brigadier general. During Operation Desert Storm, Cherrie engineered the largest armored offensive since World War II, which has been referred to as the decisive fight of the campaign. For his time in the Army Stanley Cherrie has received the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Distinguished Superior Service Medal, and the Legion of Merit.
General Cherrie previously served as a keynote speaker at Theta Chi’s 158th Anniversary Convention. Brother Cherrie was presented with the Distinguished Achievement Award by past International Vice President Joe D’Amore and Executive Director Mike Mayer during the Theta Chi University, hosted by Beta Delta/Rutgers, on January 21, 2017.
Phil Vassar (Eta Kappa/James Madison 1984)
Phil Vassar has found monumental success in the country music industry. His music career started while at James Madison University, where he would often play piano and work as a singer at clubs in Harrisonburg, VA. Upon graduating he moved to Nashville, TN to start his music career.
Vassar first made a name for himself during the late 1990s, when he co-wrote songs with several country music stars including Tim McGraw and Alan Jackson. In 1999, he was named by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) as the Country Songwriter of the Year. In 2000, he released his first album, Phil Vassar, and has released eight more since.
Over 30 years after graduating, Phil Vassar has established himself as a country music star. He is one of only a few people to have multiple hits as an artist and as a songwriter. Over his career, he has 10 number 1 hits, 15 top 10s, and 26 Top 40s. Some of Vassar’s more notable songs include Just Another Day in Paradise, Carlene, and Six-Pack Summer.
Brother Vassar received his Distinguished Achievement Award during the Grand Chapter meeting in Nashville, TN on April 22, 2017.