LAMBDA NU TODAY MARCH, 1949 VOL. 1, NO. 7 UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA Pig Dinner Deemed Success 50th Anniversary Banquet Celebrated The one hundredth anniversary of the fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, the fif tieth anniversary of the Lambda Nu chapter, and the annual Norris Pig din ner were celebrated by Nebraska Fijis, old and young, Saturday, Nov. 20. The program included a 12 o'clock buffet luncheon at the fraternity house on Saturday, and the Nebraska-Missouri football game Saturday afternoon. A social hour at the Lincoln hotel was held beginning at 5 o'clock followed by the Pig Banquet at 6:30 o'clock. The fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta has grown from the Log Cabin at old Jefferson college to the seventy-nine chapters which now exist. It has ma tured from six members to well over forty-three thousand. Phi Gamma Delta was founded April 22, 1848. The University of Nebraska Lambda Nu chapter was founded October 18, 1898, by George N. Porter, William B. Hunter, Arthur C. Pancoast, Floyd Van Valin, and Edward R. Harvey. Seemingly having a good time at the speaker's table are, left to right: Wm. R. McGeachin ('02), Wm. L. Aitken ('18), Penfield Mower, Dartmouth ('04), John Binniiig ('46), and Al O'Connor ('42). 1 wonder if John just told a joke! The history of the Norris Pig dinner dates back to California university in 1893 where a Fiji orator was criticizing two fraternities for their monopoly of the local glee club during the year. A barrel was produced containing a pig to illustrate his point. Accidentally the barrel was upset and the pig got loose, only to be chased and later devoured by the Fijis. Frank Norris ('95) thought that the feast was such a good idea that he declared it to be an annual affair. The Pig dinner marking the fiftieth anniversary of Lambda Nu was attended by many noted persons. One was Penfield Mower, the newly elected presi dent of the national chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. Mower attended Dart mouth university, class of 1904. Some others who attended are: R. B. Adams, William I. Aitken, Fred Arnold, A. H. Atkins, Harold W. Andersen, B. R. Anderson, Ralph M. Anderson, W. H. Andresen, Herb Barber, Donald G. Bell, M. J. Blish, John B. Brain Jr., Thomas J. Brennan, Ray Case, W. H. Cheeck, Frank E. Cherry, Ed Copple, Newt Copple, John M. Dierks, Bob Durrie, Hal Easton, Hugh W. Eisenhart, Russell S. Eisenhart, Norman A. Ellis, Raymond H. Freeman, Phil Grant, Dick Hadley, Edward Roscoe Harney, D. R. Hodder, Pictured above is a partial scene of the annual Pig Dinner, are just getting under way. (Devouring the food, that is.) The festivities S. S. Hadley, Harold Holmquist, Jack Houston, Merwyn G. Holmquist, Dick R. T. Houston, Leonard E. Hurtz, (Continued on back page) \r\nkHM LAMBDA NU TODAY Fijis Win Double Triumph Phi Gamma Delta was named first prize winner in the annual Homecom ing house decorations and float parade contest. First prize in both these events has never before been taken by the same fraternity. In 1947 the judge's de cision would have awarded us first in both of these but the rules allowed us to take first prize in only the house decorations contest. So the Innocents society, which sponsors the contests, changed the rules enabling us to take two firsts this year. Our house decorations consisted of a three story waterfall water from the third supplied floor with showers. Falling over the water was a papermache' bear and atop the display was a sign reading "UCLA Falls." In back of the falls was a backdrop made up of nine cloth sheets sewn end to end. Adding to the uniqueness of the display were colored lights which played on the water throughout the evening. The house decorations were con structed by the pledge class under the able supervision of Jerry Johnston ('49). The Fiji float, another first place win ner, was one of the largest entered in that conest. It consisted of a huge flat truck on which several men, dressed in swimming trunks, were seated in washtubs. In back of each washtub stood another man dressed in an "N" sweater and armed with a scrub brush. Run Once again PHI GAMMA DELTA won the fraternity house decorations for the second time in a row. This beautiful water-fall scene covered the entire front of the house. ning the length of the truck were two clotheslines on which were hanging white shorts. On the back of each pair of shorts was painted a letter and in combination they spelled out "Bruins." A sign at the front of the truck an nounced that "Potsy's Laundry" was being portrayed. Two other signs run ning the length of the truck read "Rub Out UCLA." Parade day was rather chilly and so original plans had ruled out getting any one wet. Each pair of men was to make a lot of soapsuds in concealed buckets in the washtubs to illustrate the "N" men cleaning up "UCLA." Evidently this didn't strike every one as looking genuine enough because one by one the washtub men were doused and from then on it was an ad lib free for all. !r They got everything from a shampoo to a plumbers friend on the head. Im mediately after the parade the men rushed back to the house and a hot shower was had by all. The float was built by the class of '51 under the direc tion of Jack Schirmer ('50) and Bob Partridge ('51). Our Thanks To Fiji Mothei-s House improvements this year have been numerous and gratefully accepted. We wish to express our token of appre ciation to the Omaha Mothers Club for their gift of iron grate and fireplace Another first for PHI GAMMA Delta was this clever washroom scene float which was entitled POTSY'S LAUNDRY. Here the float is seen passing down O street for final judgment. accessories for our living room. Also to Mom Minier for her thoughtfulness in giving us the Flexon fire screen. Our thanks again go to the Lincoln Mothers Club for an entire new set of silverware Don Bloom ('51)..Editor in Chief Jim Cornish ('52)..Special Editor JohnGilligan ('52) Feature Editor Bob Wolf ('52) News Editor and for renewing our subscriptions to Life, Time, Newsweek, Saturday Eve ning Post, and the Readers Digest. Thanks to you all. \r\nLAMBDA NU TODAY Fiji Elected Senior Class President A Word Fred "Fritz" Hegrwood, popular Fiji pledge, started the year in good Phi Gam fashion by winning the election for senior class president. From several other choice candidates, Fritz won the election, hands down, thus winning for Fiji's another important campus posi From Chuck This issue of Lambda Nu Today is dedicated to all of our alumni who found it impossible to attend our fiftieth anniversary celebration. It was indeed unfortunate that we were af flicted with such inclement weather at such an inopportune time. To the alumni who did brave the storm to be with us, we send the warm est of fraternal thanks. It is certainly inspiring to the undergraduates to see the active interest that many of our noted alumni take in Lambda Nu of Phi Gamma Delta. Our very special thanks go to Brother Ed Harvey ('98), one of our charter members, who journeyed from Port land, Oregon to visit the organization he and four cohorts initiated fifty years previously. Brother Harvey's radiant personality quickly won over everyone in the undergraduate chapter, and he spent several welcomed days with us. To all the Fijis at Nebraska, founder Harvey truly personifies the spirit of good fellowship that is Phi Gamma Delta. to those of you who could not be with us, we direct this issue in hopes that it will acquaint you with the goings-on at that memorable event. Fraternally yours. Chuck 'Thoene, President. Herbert Bushnell Succumbs at 55 Herbert M. Bushnell, 55, beloved Fiji of the class of 1914, passed away January the tenth in an Omaha hospital. He had suffered a stroke the previous night. Brother Bushnell was born July 1, 1893, in Lincoln, and received his LL.B. from the University of Nebraska Law School in 1915. He had been with the United States Fritz hails from Omaha where he at tended North High School. There he played football, basketball, and base ball, and gained the distinction of be ing all city for two consecutive years in the latter sport. After a three year hitch in the Navy, Fritz came to Nebraska where he con tinued his athletic activities with the Husker baseball team. Fritz holds down the position of left field, and was the leading hitter for the team for three years. He led the Big Six conference in 1947 and 1948 with over a .400 batting average. Along with his activities at the stu dent union, Fritz, a three year letterman, is now the social chairman of the "N" club. He is one of the outstanding pledges of the class of '52. "Lambda Nu hails pledge Fritz Hegwood!" Jim Goll Lambda Nu's 50th anniversary cele bration is history, grand history, and each and every man who had some thing to do with its success is to be greatly commended. Special thanks should go to William Scheurich ('48), for his grand organization; to Pres. Thoene ('44), for his superb super vision; to Jack Palmer ('50), for his careful handling of the tickets and res ervations, and to John Carson ('51), for his evening entertainment. 1 don't know where we would have put everyone if the snow storm had not kept many of the near to Lincoln alumni from attending. Those sturdy out-state boys certainly didn't let either hell or Nebraska snow stop them from coming to the party. For example Maj. C. E. Summers ('38), flew all the way from Barksdale Field, Louisiana, even though many planes were grounded. 1 was greatly pleased by the number of older men who spoke to me regard ing alumni support; usually theirs, and only what one might call procrastination. It is extremely easy to put off today's work until tomorrow, and very few of us ever catch up with tomorrow. As 1 have said many times before, we at Lambda Nu are not asking for money, nor do we anticipate doing so. All we Succeeds Bill McCarty as New Fiji ask and want are answers to our letters Treasurer V Jim Goll ('50), a Tekamah Nebraska man, succeeded Bill McCarty ('45), our former treasurer, in that office. Bill is a graduating senior and has been very thorough and efficient in operating the fraternity books. Jim is very active in all phases of fraternity life. Popular with his broth ers Jim participates in all social func tions. He also enters all intramural sports heartily. Gifted with a fine per or cards, not tomorrow or next week, but when you get them. By the same token, if there is something you wish to suggest or criticize, write us now, for we can't tell about your displeasure from the frown on your face, especially when you're 100 miles from Lincoln. This spring you'll receive letters re questing names for rushing this sum.mer and fall; please send those names in then. PLEASE don't wait until rush week starts, because then it will cer tainly be much to late for us to rush your man properly. Again, all you alums, we request your support. sonality, the Burt County man is a Allen T. O'Connor born leader. Purple Legionnaire. from 1938 to the time of his death. important position. The new treasurer is an accounting major and at the present time is employed with a prom inent accounting firm here in Lincoln. tion last November. He was also vice- He has served president of the the past year and is acquainted with Association. To A! why it had not been better. Theirs were Together with these merits, account ing experience qualifies him for this Ak-Sar-Ben Bridge According not cases of disinterest in the fraternity, National Bank in Omaha since 1919, a director since 1928, and its president Mr. Bushnell, who had been a gov ernor of Ak-Sar-Ben since 1938, was chosen vice-president of that organiza Legionnaire tion. Again, thanks to all of you who at tended our anniversary celebration. But Purple as assistant treasurer the duties. Congratulations Jim! He married Miss Barbara Bentley of Chicago in 1931. She survives. Other survivors are brothers, George of Chi the formats—the engagement of Kay cago, and John of Pasadena, California, Schafer and Bill McCarty ('45), was an and sisters, Mrs. W. D. Mckeown of nounced on December 13th and their Plato, Saskatchewan, and Mrs. Perry Cunningham of Casper, Wyoming. marriage occurred on December 27th af Engagements—formal and informal— St. Agnes Church in Scottsbluff, Ne- braska. Marge Sturn and Jack Reece ('47), also announced their formal en gagement on January 10. The infor- mals—Dawn Daggett to Walter Stephenson ('51), on December 20th. Also Dona Burley and Bob Yarwood ('51), Janu ary 10th. All of these were followed by air blue and heavy with cigar smoke and an overdose of candy for "Mom". Watch those hips, lady! The announce ment that really rocked us was that of Georgia Brown to bachelor Joe Martin ('45), on December 13th. On November 1st Jo Wetherbee and Pepper Bruce (■46). \r\nLAMBDA NU TODAY Nu Young Fathers." Fay Robert made him eligible. Lt. and Mrs. Thoinas Hayes (?), are the parents of a future West Pointer. The date of arrival was October 27th. His name is Thomas Edward. An edifying quiet settled down over the house about mid-January and one found it unnecessary to inquire as to the reason. Sudden studiousness and book-toting boys meant only one thing -—semester exams! Requirements are high and courses stiffer but I think our casualties are © not great. I had been hopeful of and promised that a holiday issue of your news sheet would reach you all in time for my special wishes for Christmas and the New Year, and to that end several of us worked diligently. But one of those things happened which no one can ex plain and then my copy was lost. So if Chuck Thoene reminisces with Mr. Ed Harvey in the trophy room at the house. The results of the thoughtful guidance of Mr. Harvey, who was one of the original founders of Lambda Nu, can be seen by the Fiji lettermen in the background. I have omitted any important news or announcements, I offer apologies. It was not intentional. Omaha and Lincoln Mothers' Clubs were most generous in ALUMNI NOTES A February 5th letter from Ralph Stewart ('48), coming from Oelwein, Iowa, indicates interest and apparent suecess in his chosen field. He is on the editorial end of the "Oelwein Daily Register", sort of a managing editor. He also is continuing his sports work and covers a lot of games so as a result has nearly a full page on that every day. Doing right well! And most important little daughter and spouse Tottie are tops. Rog Cannell ('43), who was one of the "brains" while at Lambda Nu, ac quired his Master's Degree in M. E. at Stanford last spring and is now with the Arabian-American Oil Co. in Palo Alto, California, and is working on refining problems. He apparently takes time off for artistic endeavors because "Mom" was the recipient of a beautifully wrought copper tray at Christmas time. His wife Barbara has almost completed her Doctor's Degree in Psychology and spends part time working and observ ing at the Veterans' Mental Hospital. Dr. George Larsen (?), who has a surgical residency at Peoples' Hospital in Akron, Ohio, flew back to Lincoln in December. He was called here by his father's illness. We were sorry that his time was too limited to allow a call at 1425 R. We hear that George is most successful and predict big things of him. Major Bernle Soberer ('36), his wife, and Bernie, Jr., landed in New York on Christmas eve following two and a half years overseas where Major Scherer had duty in Italy and Nuernburg, Ger many. He is now stationed at Fort Dix, New Jersey. The Malowneys ('48), Jim and Lee, are now humming lullabys to tiny Laurel Lee who was a post Christmas arrival, to be exact, on December 28th. Out Salt Lake way. Ken and Helen Eisenhart ('44), are wishing that we might see "our little cutie"—the "little cutie" being Kenneth Dean, Jr., who will be three months old November 26th. October 2nd at 2:23 P.M., Ed Tollefsen ('40), became a member of that rapidly growing organization, "Lambda their gifts for the enchancement of our home. For these things I wish to add my appreciative thank you. More details will be found elsewhere. Until the next issue, when I hope we'll not be scooping out (we may be paddling or swimming, perish the thought), I leave you — Mae Minier. (Continued from page one) George Johnson, Harold A. Kottoaman, Harry E. Knudsen, William E. Long, A. L. Lott, O. R. Mallat, Tate Matters, Bruce McCulloch Jr., J. K. McGeachin, Grove Nelson, J. O. Nelson, W. J. Newens, Gerald Nimitt, Deane E. Nutzman, Ned Nutzman, Allen T. O'Connor, C. F. Olenberger, Francis E. Olsen, Claybourne G. Perry, Charles A. Pet erson, P. Proctor, Dr. T. C. Radshow, Gene Reece, Grant Reed, Jack C. Rohr- bough, MurriU C. Rohrbough, E. A. Rose, Dale Ruser, R. M. Scoular, B. E. Speice, G. R. Speice, Maj. C. E. Sum mers, W. M. Swanson, Clay Thomas, Ernie Weir, DeWayne Wolf. NiJLaq^ne vxaaa VIALIALVD IHd p XijsjaATUfi Avaox HN vaaHva