TEP mourns loss of 40-year 'houseman'

Philadelphia hat designer and teacher Alzie Jackson, 69, died of a heart attack last Saturday, bringing to an end his 40-year tenure as Tau Epsilon Phi's "houseman." In addition to being a mentor for the fraternity brothers, Jackson served as chef, janitor and florist at the TEP house at 38th and Walnut streets. But Jackson did much more than prepare receptions for Homecoming events and tend bar at weekend parties -- he restored a sense of order to the house by "keeping the brothers out of trouble," 1971 College graduate and TEP alumnus Bob Holtz said. Holtz recalled visiting the fraternity house for alumni weekends and "heading straight for the kitchen to say 'hi' to Alzie." And TEP alumnus and 1969 Wharton graduate Steve Lerman said he believes Jackson was the "main attraction" at these gatherings and a "magnet for alumni." Lerman recalled coming down with a 104-degree fever in 1968, and Jackson insisting on carrying him to the hospital. After being diagnosed with mono, Lerman remained hospitalized for more than a month. "If it hadn't been for him, I just don't know if I'd be here," noted Lerman, who was TEP's chancellor during his Penn years. And Holtz said Jackson maintained close contact with TEP alumni even after they became settled in their careers. "He enabled alumni of every age to come back and talk to each other," he said. Jackson came to TEP in the late 1950s and quickly established himself as a permanent fixture in the house. In 1992, the brothers officially initiated "Brother Alzie" into the fraternity during his 35th anniversary celebration with the house. "Alzie was always there to offer a smile," TEP brother and College senior Jeffrey Volk remembered. Although Jackson was less active in the fraternity in recent years due to his struggle with Hodgkins disease and lymphoma cancer, he remains an inspiration to recent generations of TEP brothers. TEP Alumni President and 1994 Wharton graduate Dan Stein described Jackson as "everything from a role model to a father figure to your quintessential brother." Outside of the fraternity, Jackson was known to the fashion community as "Mr. Alzie." He lifted himself up from nothing, according to Holtz. Jackson taught himself the art of hat-making at age 16 to support himself, and his business soon expanded beyond the walls of his basement. He rented a store window on 60th and Locust streets to display his hats and eventually opened his Paris Shop at the same location. Jackson received high acclaim for his artistic creations -- and his hats were featured in a millinery exhibit at the Philadelphia Museum of Art in 1993. Soon after his debut, the Moore College of Art asked him to teach a hat-making course. In addition to providing lessons of perseverance to fraternity brothers, Jackson worked with underprivileged children at Camp Sussex in New Jersey. His commitment to education compelled him to earn his high school equivalency diploma in the 1960s. According to TEP folklore, brothers need to build bridges that pass into the future. Holtz said Alzie Jackson was a "bridge builder ? a link to the past and a link to the future." And many TEP alumni noted that Jackson's lessons of loyalty and determination have filtered down to others -- including his grandchildren. One of Jackson's grandsons, Ari Johnson, a senior at Haverford Preparatory School, was admitted early decision to the University's class of 2001. Funeral services for Jackson are scheduled for Saturday. The TEP house will hold a memorial service March 2 in honor of their friend and brother.