LAMBDA NU TODAY PHI GAMMA DELTA Winter, 1959 University of Nebraska "Special Feature" Issue Vol. 12, No. 2 HISTORY OF LAMBDA NUS "FIJI OWL" Cardroom Painting Has Inspiring Past Editor's notes: Does the picture to the left look familiar ? It is a repro duction of the painting that was sent to us by klajor Walter H. Cronk, '28, now Lt. Colonel. We are presenting the story of the painting for the first time to all Fijis, since few have ever read the history of it, or realize the important signifi cance of it. Brother Cronk's recent letter said that regardless of how vast the difference is between the jet and missile world from the war in Europe in 1944-5, that the principles of "individual liberty, dignity and justice for which we are keeping pre - pared today are the same. The challenge throughout the world is greater and more insidious now than in 1944! The battle for men's minds through clever subversion results in countries like Hungary, Poland, Czechoslovakia, East Germany and others being dominated completely by ruthless tyranny. " The Fiji Owl painting "should re mind us constantly that wisdom is acquired only when the individual is free to think and have unrestricted communication with others," con tinued Brother Cronk in a recent letter, "It is worth fighting for, I'm sure you will agree. " We sincerely express our appreci ation to Brother Cronk who has been more than cooperative with us in the preparation of this issue. We hope that you will enjoy this story, as well as the rest of this, our Christmas issue. Now for the complete story, turn to page two and read the letter of March 14, 1948, from Walter Cronk. Now is the time for all good Fijis to start looking for top rushees. \r\nLambda Nu Today Page 2 HISTORY OF FIJI OWL LAMBDA NU TODAY University of Nebraska Dear Mrs. Minier, ...as to the Owl painting. .. in the spring of 1945 (March), I was with headquarters 3rd Army signal section with an assignment to rehabilitate civilian telephone communications. At the time Koblenz fell, Lincoln, Nebraska Editor Don Ferguson, '62 Reporters and Contributors: I went up to Cologne (First Army area) to check up on linking the two cities by telephone communications. Dick Altrock, '62 Harold Ehlers, '62 Bob Kirkendall, '60 (Art work) Special recognition: Lt. Col. W. H. Cronk, March 14, 1948 '28 OTHERS identified with story. Alumni News . . . . "Mom" Minier Cologne is mainly on the west bank of the Rhine and was under heavy fire from German forces on the east bank when I entered the city. The first friendly face I found in Cologne, near the famous cathedral, was that of the Fiji Owl hanging on the wall of a building which had been badly shot up. It really seemed out of place in those surroundings with everything else destroyed, so I felt a brother Fiji had to be liberated under such circumstances. Oddly enough, in the next block was a church which had been completely Column As the yuletide season approaches, the Fijis at 1425 R extend their warmest holiday greetings to all of you. Since Christmas is also a time of exchanging gifts, we hope to have several gifts to present to you-although they will be somewhat belated: the initiation of a large number of worthy men who sincerely desire to become Fijis and the rais ing of Lambda Nu's scholarship rank ing. We hope that your gift will be your continued interest in the chapter. If all of us feel that our fraternity has been even partially influential in our intellectual, social and spiritual growth and has been rewarding to us in many intangible and indescribable ways, then loyal support of our fra ternity should come quite naturally. Lambda Nu and P h i Gamma Delta apparently have done an outstanding job because the supjjort and interest of many of its graduate members has been outstanding and gratifying to us all. Just as Brother Cronk a n a other Fijis were able to recall their pleasant memories of Phi Gamma Delta under seemingly unusual circumstances, demolished except for a huge Carrara Marble figure of Christ which was unharmed. The entire roof had fallen in, and the walls had fallen away, but the Christ was left standing as if to remind us all of His teachings. Perhaps other Fijis noticed this phenomenon; I know many CPs commented about it. The huge cathedral was undamaged also, although buildings all around it were in ruins. I guess what the owl represents, and what the Christus statue represents cannot be destroyed by bombs and gun fire. Perhaps you heard the Easter service which was broadcast Easter Sunday, 1945, from the Cologne Cathedral a few days later with heavy shell fire taking the place of organ music. I was there. When we ran the court yard to set up a broadcast inside the Cathedral, we were really under fire. Oh yes, here is another interesting Fiji sidelight. When Heidelberg was liberated, the city was left intact. Seventh Army had no reason to harm the city as there was no resistance to speak of, and, except for a couple of bridges, it had not been bombed. Another officer and myself who had heard of the good old Heidelberg beer, decided to try a sample at the campus Red Ox Inn. (A couple of pictures of this Red Ox Inn recently appeared in Life. ) While we were waiting to be served we inspected the old school trophies-beer steins, pictures, paddles, dueling sabres, etc. A waiter brought me a huge leather guest book which I casually looked through. I was astounded to find on one full page an exact replica of the Fiji Crest in color, owl and all ! ! Underneath a Fiji had written a phrase as near as I can recall "May all Phi Gamma Delta brothers find peace and contentment here!" It was dated 1934. Some vandal Nazi with a heavy black drawing pencil had obliter ated a portion of it with a single swastika. I thought I'd leave the story intact for future Fijis to see. I added the "delete" sign used by printers everywhere with the phrase printed in the margin--"Removed permanently by the United States Army, Major Walter H. Cronk, Nebraska, '28 Lambda Nu April, 1945." I hope other Fijis will get a kick out of it too. You might pass this story on to show that Lambda Nu watches out for its owl whether in Cologne, Germany, or in Heidelberg. I'd sure like the original artist who drew the Crest in that guest book to know what happened to his work of art. so must this Christ- ma s issue remind us of the many warm friendships that have resulted Sincerely, from our past and present associa Walter H. tions within our fraternity. Our thoughts turn back in retrospect to our many fond memories of our Cronk 7^ Stmt brothers in Phi Gamma Delta. As we sit down together to our traditional all of us feel First, the chapter wishes to thank fortunate in having the blessings of Christmas dinner, all of you for the wonderful supj^ort you gave the rush chairman and the great job. But, h e w i 11 be a s k i n g for your cooperation and sujjport to house last school year and summer. Without it our rush machinery would make next year a big success. have broken down. is never too early to build up a rushee The rush chairmanship has passed from the able hands of Larry Aspegren list and funds for a successful cam fraternal association. We look forward to seeing many of you at our spring initiation in Omaha. Our warmest wishes to you and your families for a pleasant and merry Christmas. F raternally, Tom Gilliland for the Fiji undergrads Perge ! into the very capable hands of Neal Westphal. Neal has one of the highe st aver age s in the house and will be a senior next Alone, Neal could and would do a NOW IS THE TIME TO START. It paign in an increasingly competitive business rushing. Please look over the boys in your high schools and drop Neal a line. We're counting on you once again. Let's Rush \r\nLambda Nu Today LOST ALUMS: Page 3 PLEASE HELP US FIND THEM... Dear Brothers, Listed below are the names of those brothers whom we have lost track of here at Lambda Nu. We are interested in obtaining their present addresses so that they may receive chapter publications and announce ments. Any help you can give us along this line will be greatly appreciated. Also, if you know of any Fiji whose name is not on this list and who should be receiving chapter publications but is not, please send us his name and address. Dick Altrock Graduate Relations Chairman For four and one-half years now I have crossed over the threshold of the Phi Gam house front door. Many times doing so only as a set pattern. But each time I crossed the threshold. Phi Gamma Delta became imbedded deeper within me. Murray D. Backhaus Ed Gross George R. Murphy Donald Lee Bloom Ulysses Harkson Arthur E. Fred P. A. A. Nagel Walter E. Blore L. Hass Frank Bocken M. Jerald L. Branson Paul E. Brazelton Burnham H. Brown Rex Henry Nafe George B. Newby Henderson Harold Newell Donald Nuss Paul House Frank B. Hunt August T. Olson It has been more than a home-a-way from home or a social group. It helped me to achieve manhood, develop and pursue moral and spirit ual culture. It removed the hay from behind my ears and tucked it neatly in a back pocket. 1 learned to take the blows as well as the pats on the D. E. Buell Gordon T. Burke Herbert A. Burke Hilliard Jackson Charles M. Johnson J. C. Johnson N. G. Jolinson Arthur J. Pence Dexter R. Peterson bad. Dick Bush Jerry Johnston Joe H. Poynter realize more and more how much 1 John D. Marshall V. Jones W. Adrian Scott Duane Kennedy Fred Segur John L. Shugart really owed my fraternity. 1 realized that I could,never repay the debt that I owed or even how to place a value on it. How does one place a value on a life-long friendship with one of his Raymon H. Buehler Bushnell Marvin Gavander Jack Chedester L. L. Osborne Claibourne G. Peck John C. Church R. W. Coates Val H. Kendall Charles M. Kesser Jack R. Killian Charles Kittelson Ray A. Crancer, Jr. Arthur Latta Harold B. Stedman Archie Davis Joseph B. Lovett Thomas F. Choyce Bruce F. Smith Fred W. Speers Ray S. Spurek Murray L. Denman T. Jefferson Machamer Robert Dickmann Dan Mackin Leroy Sloesz F. K. Stokely Ralph M. Sturm John H. Drexel Laurence O. Eames Harlan G. Easton Frederick Empkie Edwin Ewart Chas. Ewell John Gilligan III Guy T. Graves, Jr. 1. Bill Griffin, Jr. F. Summer back, for there is some good in any As each year passed 1 began to brothers ? No where in my life will I find so many people with the same common idea and purpose as in college life. It makes me feel proud to know that 1 am one of the group but prouder yet W. V. Madsen C. Keith F. Manning C. P. Swiler, Jr. to know that 1 am a member of a fra Joe Martin R. E. Mattison L. P. McCoun Sherman S. Welpton George D. Wolfe ternity that represents the cream of the group, various members dedi cated to various phases of activity Roy E. McCoy Dan J. and fields of endeavor whether it be John M. Miller V. L. Miller L. Irvin Morris Jim Worcester cultural, scholastic or devoted pure ly to life, love, and the pursuit of Kenneth Young happiness. Denver W. Wilson Wolkensdorfer Ralph J. Wood Phi Gamma Delta and its members have given me four and one-half of the best years of my life, I thank you both. Mighty Proud To Be A Fiji. William T. Perge! MOM'S CHRISTMAS WISH TO THE FIJIS Christmas just wouldn't be Christmas If it weren't for those we love. If we didn't stop to tell our thoughts WOOPS! WE GOOFED 11 is now a proven fact that when alums and actives get together and have a party, it is difficult to recall many important things connected with it. To the ones we're thinking of. This Christmas message, Sons, With its wishes fond and true Will tell how dearly you are loved Today and all year through. Affectionately, Mrs. M. C. "Mom" Minier Chase Recording Secretary This was the case when we printed the last issue of the Lambda Nu and listed the father-son Fijis present at the Pig Dinner. We regret that we left out a very important duo, A. C. Holmquist, Jr. and A. C. Holmquist 111 who were very definite ly in attendance. We apologize for leaving anyone "out in the cold", and will go one step further to make up for the blunder by guaranteeing that next year when we all get together at the Pig Dinner we will make it a special point to have your names at the head of the list. \r\nWe have very few news items for this issue since it follows so closely on the last but you will be interested to know that "Knuke" Kenneth VanSaut, Lambda Nu's first Purple Legionnaire was in Lincoln just before Thanks giving and very graciously stopped to see us. Incidentally I started my house mother activities with "Knuke" and needless to say 1 leaned heavily on him and found his advice invaluable. The family have lived in Chicago since they left Lincoln several years ago. Murl Mouser came in for the Okla homa game and brought his family for a little shopping spree which impressed the two girls--more than their young brother. Ron Kohlmeier missed the Okla homa game by about two hours. He was enroute to Fort Sill where he will be serving a six month session at the request of our long legged "Uncle". We'll be looking forward to seeing him (Ron, not the "Uncle") during the Christmas holidays as he will be getting a fifteen day leave beginning the nineteenth. Clark Caley and his wife were wel come visitors. Clark is in the auto mobile business in Scottsbluff and a busy man so it* s been sometime since he has taken time to stop to see us. Many of you will remember Bill Gerber. He's married, has two sons, Michael four, and Jeffrey two. Bill is working with the Minnesota and Ontario Paper Company in Oklahoma City. I'm sure you will all be happy to hear that our two alumns, Blanchard Anderson and Pat Minier, are gradually recovering from results of overwork although it will be some time before either will be back at their desks. Love, Mom -CAMPUS RELATIONS- Lambda Nu's "Campus Relation" program is now in full swing. The program consists of having guest speakers, with or without campus LAMBDA NU TODAY PHI GAMMA DELTA affiliation, visit with us each week. Lincoln, Nebraska The purpose of this program is two fold. First, to create a stronger sense of responsi bility within our members. Secondly, we want to advertise Fijiland by making afavorable impression upon our guest and acquaint him with the benefits of fraternal as sociations- especially those of Phi Gamma Delta. previous speakers have been Reverend Benton White, associate pastor to the Wesley Foundation, and Dean of Junior Division, Chatfield. Lee W. Fiji faculty members are also being invited as are civic leaders. PAID Lincoln, Neb. we are interested in learning more about our university Our 1425 R Street Non-Profit Org. U. S. POSTAGE Farm 3547 R*qu«t