Jay Langan

During the winter that spanned the college year of 1988-1989 in the basement of a little used building on the campus of what was then known as Glassboro State College, there was a gathering of friends and strangers. They were the men who aspired to bond themselves together for the rest of their lives as Brothers. That is just what we did, and none of our lives would ever be the same again. In time we would take vows that meant we would be there for one another through all things.

We never really considered that a day would come when we would ever join together to say goodbye to one of our own. We were just boys and we thought that we would live forever. But nobody lives forever. And sometimes we are even denied the joy of growing old.

Jay Langan was one of those young men gathered in that cold basement. Like some of the others who were there for the first time he wondered what these misfits had to offer him, which was quite ironic because many of us were wondering the exact same thing about Jay. Looking back, anyone who was there would be hard pressed not to admit that he was a perfect fit.

The Iota Chi Phi chapter of Alpha Chi Rho owes a great debt to Jay Langan. He developed into one of those brothers who could be counted on to do anything that was needed of him. In the time he spent with us at school, he made sure that he was always there for us. He made his apartment our base of operations before we had anywhere else to go. And he had a spirit that could not be contained.

To know Jay Langan was to know a man who simply could not be stopped. He was our heart through some of the toughest times that we have ever faced. And he always smiled. Always. He had this way about him that just made you smile right along with him. After all, he was our clown and he dressed the part.

Imagine if you will, a man who resembled Shaggy of Scooby Doo fame. Dress him in an outfit that hurts to look at. Stick a beer in his hand and watch as he strokes his chin beard while ranting over some point of contention that doesn't really matter anyway. And that chin. Was there ever any question why one of his nicknames was Mac Tonight? You would think that his last name may actually have been Leno.

The contributions Jay offered to the fraternity were many, but the most memorable was the name of our mascot, Angus. He could also drink more Mad Dog 20/20 than any man who ever lived. And he had a heart that was filled with so much good humor and kindness that it was easy to forget that he was just a poor, hard working college student like the rest of us. We simply could not have done it without him.

When he left Glassboro he wandered for a time and then returned to another college to complete his education. There he fell in with another chapter of Crows, and from what we have been told he was held in the highest regard. It's hard to imagine otherwise.

Sadly, there is just no way to tell it all. You simply had to be there. For those of us who were, it was a time we will never forget. Jay may no longer be with us in a physical sense, But he will live in our hearts and minds for as long as we do. My friend, you said goodbye too soon.

So Jay, order a round and save us some stools. This one's for you, Brother. Angus! Fuck Yeah!!!

George Jordan
10/20/00