A. i No^uUi DELTA XI CHAPTER OF PHI GAMMA DELTA Berkeley, California Volume 76, Number 1 February, 1962 Alumnus Personality Garniss H.Curtis '42--Geologist,Researcher, Teacher Garniss H. Curtis'42, associate pro fessor of geology at the University and a mem ber of Delta Xi, was a recent guest on the popu lar San Francisco television program "Science in Action," presented under the auspices of the California Academy of Science. On the pro gram, Curtis described his research on the da I ting of steps in man's evolution, a phase of which took him to Kenya and Tanganyika last spring'. Curtishas beenmost interested in vol MODELS OP THREE types of primitive man are used by Prof. Curtis to explain a point he is making on "Science in Action," canoes, and spent two summers in Alaska study ing Mt. Kimai, and, he says, "trying to avoid becoming a meal for voracious flies and mos quitoes." About that time, scientists began dating rocks using the radioactive decay scheme of potassium-argon. This research proved to be extremely valuable for solving many geolo gical problems. On the basis of this work, he received an appointment to the Miller Institute for Basic Research in Science .at the University in 1958. This appointment allowed him to be free from University responsibilities for eight CURTISS DISCirsSES a phase of his research on the dating of steps in man's evolution with Dr. Earl Heald (right), host of the program. months of each year for four years and also gave him enough money to travel whenever needed to collect samples necessary for his research. (Continued, Page 2) WHAT: FIJI MOTHERS' CLUB FUN FEST WHERE: CHAPTER HOUSE WHEN: SUNDAY, MARCH 4, 5-8 p.m. PRICE: $2. 50 per person It's time once more for the annual Fiji Mothers' Club Fun Fest, which will be held this year on March 4 for members, graduates, and friends of Delta Xi. All graduates are urged to attend this event. A jewelled sweater and other door prize s will be given away as an added attraction. Proceeds go to, the Mothers' Club fund, which in turn buys new furnishings and fixtures for the chapter house. A buffet supper will be served. Tickets may be obtained at the door, or from any member of the Mothers' Club. Price is $2.50 each. \r\nTHE NOItRIS riJI Page 2 AFRICA, EUROPE ATTRACT CURTIS -- FOP-GEOLOGICAL REASONS (Continued from Page 1) "Many friends, several of them Fijis like Bob Noyes, John Hunt, and Bob Coman, have been skeptical of the scientific importance of some of the places in which I had to spend considerable time collecting," Curtis says. "It cuts me deeply to hear them refer to the Miller Institute as 'Miller's High Life', It just so happens that Paris, Rome, Naples, Zurich, Innsbruck, etc. lie in geologically important areas, and one has to probe these places deeply in order to uncover their secrets -- geological, that is." Curtis traveled to Africa to obtain specimens of rocks to date Zinjanthropus, one of the earliest tool-makers. Olduvai Gorgeiswhere Zinj lived, and L.S. B, Lea- yoy, who discovered the bones of Zinj, is a naturalist who loves all the game, so he never carries a gun. His utter lack of fear has gotten him into difficulties many times with short-tempered large game animals, but he has always managed to escape harm. Curtis tells the following anecdote to illustrate the philosophy of this remarkable man, and also why he was happy to get back to civilization: "We were hiking through the light brush in the bottom of Olduvai Gorge one day. There were no trees in sight, and the walls were so steep they were unclimbable. As we walked along, we came upon the fresh tracks of a mother rhino and her baby. Dr. Leakey and his son Richard agreed they were only five minutes ahead of us. "•Shall we turn back?' I asked hopefully. "'No,no,' Leakey replied. "'•But what will we do if she gets our wind and charges?' I asked, "'Don't worry,' Leakey said. 'There is only a 50 per cent chance that she will charge, and if she does, you will think of the right thing to do at that time.' "I reflected on the matter for about one m'Icrosecond, and then did the right thing without waiting for the charge. I turned and started back the way we had come --at flank speed !" Curtis' classmates will remember that he spent more time at the Tri-Delt house than at the Fiji house his senior year. As a result of this "campaign", he married Dorette Davis graduation day. When the couple returned to Berkeley after the war so he could finish his graduate work, they had added two daughters to the family. Since then, Curtis has acquired his Ph.D., a son, and a teaching position on the Uni versity faculty. The family lives at 10 St. James Court, Orinda, -oOo- WILLIAMS '62 HEADS IFC Jerry Williams '62 has been elected president of the Inter-Fraternity Council. The Pomona senior has been chapter president this year. Williams, a history major, plans to study law following graduation. -oOo- DIRECTORY IS WELL-RECEIVED BY GRADUATES; CHANGES TO BE PRINTED IN NEXT 'NORRIS FIJI' Many members of Delta Xi have expressed their approval and support of Delta Xi's 75th Anniversary Membership DirectoryJ There have been quite a few changes in the directory, but all will be published in the next edition of THE NORRIS FIJI, \r\nTHE NORRIS FIJI Page 3 LOS ANGELES GRADUATE CHAPTER NEEDS DELTA XIS! Delta Xi is not properly represented in the Los Angeles Graduate Chapter, according to a note from Carl Travis -48, Brothers v;ho live in Southern California should contact Richard Ci Dryer, vice president of the chapter there. His address iss Second Floor, 5150 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 36i -oOo- ^ndsrgraduate Alumni Relations Officer's Message CHAPTER STRIVES TO IMPROVE RELATIONS~\VITH GRADUATES Throughout the past year, the undergra,duates of Delta Xi have been making a concerted effort to win and keep the support of the graduates. We feel that we have met with some success in improving our relat'tons with the two local graduate chapters and with other interested graduates, TTa-■ nit'; ;?d the program by selecting a graduate faculty advisor, Prof, William T, Laube of Boalt Hall. Prof, Laube has been very valuable to us, both as an advisor and as a member of the University faculty, Biinonthiy, two undergraduates attend each of the graduate chapter meetings, one on either side of the bay. to pass on to the graduates information from the chap ter, and other pertinent news. This fall the membership directory was published and has met considerable suc cess. W^e anticipate that by the end of this semester this directory will be paid for in full. Also, our g ran a at'3" dues prograin is receiving greater participtation. Our efforts are beginning to receive some recognition. This fall we received more rushing recommendations than we have in the past, and we are being given much more co-operation in the use of rushing facilities. Granted that there was much room for improvement, and that there is still a lot of v;ork to be done, the men of Delta Xi hope that in the near future we can claim the best record in graduate-chapter relations, -- Mai Leiser '63 -oOo- n e w s from your flji brothers everywhere, , , , , Jrju Diego, FLOYD WILKINS JR. '46 is busy with the court trust section of the growing trust department at San Diego Trust and Savings Bank, Floyl's address is xC;T, Alameda Drive, San Diego 3, ICbERT MONTGOMERY '60 brings us up to date on his activities. He married Joan (Cal) in March, I960, Thay have a son, Scott. The family lives at 2215 Grant St, , Apt, 4, Berkeley 3, while Bob attends graduate school in hospital •P ■3.1 .-;inis£ration at Berkeley, "1 qualified again this year for the 1962 Million Dollar Round Table of the National .u. .T'Sonir.tlo'a of Life Underwriters," THOMAS BOWMAN '47 writes. Tom's home is at 173 Monte Ave, , Piedmont 11, DR.. LYMAN HEACOGK '16 tells us he is glad to receive the directory. He will retire from the Thayer Veterans Administration Hospital in Nashville, Tenn. this July, and w'J ■ make his home in Redwood City, Lyman may be reached in care of the hospital until his retirement. \r\nTHE NORRIS FIJI Page 4 From Honolulu, W,J, EGGERS '61 writes, "I have met many Fijis in the Foreign Service coming from the Orient. Mos', are members of brother chapters. If any Fiji is in the Islands for a vacation, contact me for sports car rentalsl' He lives at 2407 Parker Place, Honolulu. FLASHl MC NAMARA, JFK TO ATTEND UC CHARTER DAY! Robert S. McNamara '36, Secretary of Defense, and President John F. Kennedy will receive honorary degrees at the traditional Charter Day ceremonies March 23. In addition, the President will give the main Charter Day address. i^n estimated 60,000 students, alumni, and friends of the University are expected to jam Memorial Stadium at 2 p.m. for the colorful rites. Delta Xi alumni are par ticularly urged to attend this event honoring Brother McNamara. ROBERT MANGUM '59 writes from Princeton, N. J,: "I am studying at Princeton '7lth the intent of entering the Er^eebyterian nninistry. Thanks for the directory." Bob may be reached at 520 Mc^^ .^olia Ave,, Piedmont 11, "Our fifth child arrived in January," JOHN JOHNSON '52 writes. "Winter sports are great here in the capitol city of the Gem State." John and his family live at 1411 N. 25th St., Boise, Idaho. JOHN ALDINGTON '52 writes from Sacramento that he will finish his residency in opthalmology in July and will open his office for private practice in Oakland then. His address is 4633 Lippi Parkway, Sacramento. At least one brother was affected by the recent Berlin crisis. DUNCAN MAC SWAIN '57 says, "My reserve unit was activiated. Still a 1st lieutenant. Stationed at Ft. Bragg, N. C., and am now attending the Psychological Warfare School at the Special Warfare Center. Am assigned to the 353d Psychological Warfare Company. We (wife Lucy, Cal) hope to be out again soon." Dune's address is; l/Lt. D,E, Mac Swain, B-2 Bastogne Dr.,, Ft, Bragg, N,C. CURTISS BARBOUR '14 finds retirement most enjoyable. He recently returned from at 6 1/2 week trip to Mexico, on which he logged 7,000 miles. Curtiss and his family have also traveled to Europe and the Orient, and made two other trips to various parts of Mexico, He lives at 110 Monte Ave., Piedmont 11. Ainy brother writing to RALPH BENNETT '52 should address him as "Your Honor." "Hoot" was elected mayor of Ojai in October. The Bennett home is at 1222 Sunset Place, Ojai, FOWLER STILLMAN '59 joined the ranks of married men in November when he was married in Toronto. He plans to return to Fresno to do graduate work in teaching. The newlyweds may be reached at 145 Jacaranda, Brownsville, Texas. -oOo- THE NORRIS FIJI is published by Delta Xi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta Fra ternity at the University of California for alumni and friends. News, photos of in terest, and changes of address should be sent to Phi Gamma Delta Alumni Records Office, 2490 Channing Way, Berkeley 4, California ALUMNI RELATIONS OFFICER: Mai Leiser '63