The Venerable Dean of the Penn State-Altoona Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity, Scott Reinwald (second from right) receives a Grand Master's Medallion from then-Grand Master James L. Ernette (center). Other officers of the Chapter present are: At left, Chaplain Douglas Nelson and Senior Dean Gerard Bellini; at right, Junior Dean Bradley Tebbs.

On Dec. 3, then-Grand Master James L. Ernette visited the Penn State-Altoona Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity meeting in the Altoona Masonic Temple to witness the initiation of 12 undergraduates and three Masons in the collegiate Fraternity. The Masons, who will serve as advisers are: David B. Smith, P.M., Juniata Lodge No. 282, who will be Chapter Adviser; George Greiner, III, S.W. Logan Lodge No. 490, Assistant Adviser; and Dale A. DeLozier, D.D.G.M., 20th Masonic District.

At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the Venerable Dean of the chapter presented then-Grand Master Ernette with a $100 contribution to be applied to the Grand Master's Law Enforcement Scholarship Fund. To raise the money, the Acacia members worked for a pizza shop hanging flyers on neighborhood doors. A banquet was held in honor of then-Grand Master Ernette, who is a member of the Franklin Chapter of the Acacia Fraternity at the University of Pennsylvania. The Grand Master spoke of his desire to see an even stronger relationship grow between Freemasonry and the Acacia Fraternity as a result of the initiation of the advisers into the chapter. He then presented the chapter with the Grand Master's Medallion.

The Acacia Fraternity was founded in 1904 at the University of Michigan by 14 Master Masons. Today, the Fraternity has chapters throughout the country and in Canada, with nine chapters and two colonies in the Commonwealth.