Ses • "• t* Published by Chi lota Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta New Series Vol. XIX CHAMPAIGN, ILLINOIS, OCTOBER, 1953 No. 1 IOMECOMIHG WEEK - END IS CALLING YOU Greet Brothers At '410' Nov. 7 Homecoming 1953 will throw open the University of Illinois cam pus and the chapter house the first weekend in November once more to Chi Iota alumni, all the way from the class of '03 to '53. At the same time, the Illinois football team under the direction of Coach Ray Eliot will round out its six-game home schedule against ever-dangerous Michigan before an expected sell-out crowd of 70,000 in Memorial Stadium, Saturday, Nov. 7. But to each and every Phi Gam alumni it means more than just a Introducing the class of '57, Top row: Little, McKnelly, Armstrong, football game. This is the time to bring back memories of college HciTman, Bowers, Byers, Ostrand, Nesbit. days and to renew close ties which Middle row: Babcock, Peterson, Renwick, West, Harbeck, Harring existed between the brothers in ton, Streibich. the chapter at the time. Homecom Bottom: Lindell, Mathis, leuter, Rittmiller, Urummond, Miller. ing is the time of year to re-live the days so indelibly stamped in Chi Iota Embarks on 1953-54 Schoo! Year Chapter Nets 23 Top Pledges This Fall The 1953 Chi Iota summer rush Be Sure To Read This! ing program wa' brought to a suc cessful completion on Sept. 12, Before you lay this issue of the with the pledging of 23 men. Illinois Fiji down check and make Much of this success is due to sure you have signed and returned alumni who sent in helpful recom the postcard Alumni President Ken mendations, and who were instru- Means sent to you. rental in the organizing of summer It is very important those cards rushing parties. We also owe a note be back at the chapter house by of thanks to Bud Larson, our alum Homecoming. Show your desire to ni rushing chairman, who coordi help in this one of the most im nated the work of the active chap portant undertakings in the history ter with that of the alumni. | of Our new pledges have all been j leaders in high school activities, and we here at "401" are very Phi Gamma Delta at Illinois. the memory of each Phi (jamma Delta mini. All the usual campus events and trimmings will be much in evidence this year as in the past. The week end will get underway with a pa rade and pep rally Friday, and from all indications the pep rallies have become a major campus function with the Fiji pledges leading the parade down John street and be ing leaders at the rallies. Returning Alumni are urged to make the chapter house their Homecoming headquarters before and after the game. Here you 1! have a chance to meet the Fiji brothers of yesteryear, meet the DON BOWERS, from Chicago chapter members and pledges, and proud of them. They are as follows: [ (Beverly Hills) who is enrolled in just have a good time generally. JOHN ARMSTRONG, from Jol-; the Commerce College. Yes, it's back to the campus and iet, who was valedictorian of his i BOB BYERS, from Park Ridge, Phi Gam house for Homecoming who plans on being an engineer. 1953, and the welcome sign is out class, and is entering L.A.S. DON DRUMMOND, from Peoria, to all you good brothers from far JIM BABCOCK, from Galva, whose fathei' and brother are Pijis. who has a Fiji bi'other at Wabash and near. Remember that date, (Continued on page 3) Nov. 7, and BE THERE! Jim is in Architecture school. \r\nPage Two THE ILLINOIS FIJI Published October, 1953 THE ILLINOIS FIJI quarterly by The Alumni Association of Chi Iota of An Open Letter From Ken Means Telling The Situation Then and Now Phi Gamma Delta fraternity for and Cornell the average is $110, its at Michigan, $100. We as Alumni always look back to the days when we were in school, chapter. whether it was in '02, '22, or '42, Harry Overtoom Editor as real great days for Phi Gamma Delta on the Campus at the Uni CONTRIBUTORS versity of Illinois. As we survey Jim Kahlert, Gordon Leach, Bill the situation currently we always Bingham, Dan O'Connell, Frank believe things just aren't as good Strachota, Gene Wallace. as they were in the "good old members and friends of the days." Changing times bring chang The current chapter, along with several other fratei'nities, is rais ing its house bill. Ours will be $94 for actives and $88 for pledges this year. This, plus keeping the house full and a full dining room is going to bring prosperity back to Chi Iota. Just before rush week this yeai' Send contributions, news of ing values and standards and it the Board of Directors of the Phi alumni, and changes of address to is not always easy for us to adjust Gamma Delta Association met with the Publication office. Box 713, Sta tion A, Champaign, 111., Chapter House: 401 East John street. Cham paign, 111. Dixieland Music, Phi Gam Version our thinking to those changes. the active chapter and presented Many Changes to the members the problems they There have been many changes faced and suggested some changes at 401 E. John over the period of which, in the considered opinion of years. Some of those changes have the board, would help solve those been desirable and some have been below the standards many set for Phi Gamma Delta. We have had problems. We are proud to report, that the actions of the chapter have evidenced real enthusiasm and a years of high scholastic achieve full spirit of cooperation in realis ment and some only fair, but never tically facing their problems. In the last few weeks Chi Iota quite so low as when we were 54th Successful Rush! has become a junior version of New on the campus the 2nd semester Chi Iota has just completed one Orleans' Bourbon Street. The of 1951-52. We are proud to re strains of "When Those Saints port that the chapter went to work of the most successful rushing sea and jumped back to 14th place the sons it has had in several years. Come Marchin' In" and other lead ing Dixie versions are coming from 1st semester of 1952-53. The 2nd They have pledged 23 of the top the recently organized Phi Gam semester they remained above the boys to come to Illinois this fall. all-men's average and all-univers From all reports from various Dixieland combo. sources, the boys are the cream The group, still needing a little ity average, but slipped a few plac- of the crop and we did much bet practice, is under the leadership of I es. We are confident that they are ter proportionally than any oth Herb Bayley '55, chief clarinetist, I returning to their rightful place er house on the campus. and Dick Peterson '57, on trom , on the campus in scholarship, The Summer rushing program Inflation Hits bone. Other sterling members of i i Inflation has hit the fraternities was a real success this year under this up and coming organization 1and many on the campus at Illinois the leadership of Bill Bingham of are Dick Pawlak '54, drums; Larry have been losing money. Chi Iota the active chapter and Bud Lar McKnelly '57, saxophone; Bob has been losing money for the past son '40 (Paxton) acting as Alum McKnelly '54, trumpet; Rob Little I three years. There are several reas ni Rushing Chairman. We had more '57, cornet; Bill leuter '57, gut- ons—the two principal ones are cooperation from the Alumni than bucket, and Nick Nickerson '55, the size of our physical property we had for some years (but we piano. Fiji Address Changes . . . j which limits the number of boys still need more and more). The I we can comfortably house and the Alumni and active chapter pro other the reluctance to raise house grams were perfectly coordinated bills. As has always been true. Phi and the cooperation paid off. The highlight of the summer rushing program was a fine party at the The following alumni have noti Gamma Delta, is in competition with the large "top" houses on the fied us of changes of address: James Brophy '50, 4816 Central campus. Where some have had as home of Willard R. Curtis '24 in Joliet. Over fifty actives, rushees Ave., Western Springs. and Alumni were present. Six of have never had over 50 and today Merrill K. Dubach '24, RR No. 3, have 43 men living in the house. the guests at that party are pledg Box 711, Springfield, Mo. es at Chi Iota today and a couple Robert L. Faith '47, 8236 Hurl- The small chapter is good for fra are going through informal rush ternity life, but tough on the treas but St., Cabrillo Heights, San Die ury. The large fraternities are able ing right now. The pledges who go, Calif. were at the party were Don Bow Ralph C. Goetz '48, Indian Head to make money on a small house ers and Bob Nesbit of the Bever bill, while the fixed costs of the Park, LaGrange. ly Hills section of Chicago, Steve Burr L. Hughes '43, 2711 Country smallei' chapter are causing real Lindell of Dixon, Roger Hoffman trouble. For reasons of competi Club Terrace, Rockford. of Arthur, John Armstrong of Jol Charles S. Kritzer '49, 1412 8th tion the recent cabinets have kept iet and Dick Peterson of Paxton. many as 90 to Ave., N.E., Rochester, Minn. ICQ members we the house bill in line with the others Bill Curtis, his sons and wife Carter E. Phlilips '34, 2255 Or- On the campus. Last year the bill were perfect hosts and hostess and was $88 for actives and $83 for rington Ave., Evanston. the boys from the active chapter Melton A. Reasonei- '33, 327-22nd pledges. The average house bill at (lid a great rushing job. Illinois last year was $85 (high Ave. West, Calgary, Aibei'ta, Can ada. $100—low $75). At Northwestern (Co7iti)tued on Page 4) \r\nOctober, 1953 Summer Decorating Changes Appearance Through Downstairs TWENTY-THREE MEN (Continued from 'page 1) Gollege. He is going into Aeronaut Many amazed expressions and ical Engineering. looks of bewilderment were seen at JOHN HARBECK, from Ottawa, 401 around September 3 . . . not who is also in the Gollege of Com- from the thought of returning to 8 o'clock Page Three THE ILLINOIS FIJI classes and 4 o'clock nights . . . but rather from the new . . . very refreshingly new . . . look of the ground floor rooms. Already, the effects of the new, more homey, atmosphere can be seen in the greater chapter spirit. We now have a more beautiful and comfortable home and also a home we can be mighty proud to show our parents, relatives, and friends (female friends, especially.) We also want to give some of the credit for getting such a top pledge class to the fact that the house looked so good during rush week. PLEDGED Miller, is from Peoria, and is in the College of L.A.S. studying premed. ROGER STREIBACH, our fourth pledge from Peoria, has decided upon the College of Commerce. rn6rc6. This completes the new pledges HARRY HARRINGTON, anoth er pledge from Chicago (Beverly who have been added during for Hills) who is in the College of mal rushing. We have, however, also added a few more pledges dur Fine and Applied Arts. ROGER HOFFMAN, from Ar ing informal rushing, which start thur, has decided upon the College ed Sept. 22. One is PETE WEST, who is a Naperville freshman rvith of L.A.S. BILL lEUTER, who also comes a doctor's career in mind. RALPH NELSON, Ottawa, se from Ottawa, is another engineer lected as a high school All-Ameri ing student. STEVE LINDELI, from Dixon, can football player is already spend will also enter the College of ing his afternoons at Memorial Stadium with the Illini gridders. L.A.S., pre-dental curriculum. JIM RENWICK, All-state half ROBERT LITTLE, from Toledo, Ohio, is a brother of Ed Little, back from Ottawa, also devotes Chi Iota Fiji, and is planning on most of his spare time to football an engineering career. Rob is the practice. president of the pledge class. JIM MaGILL, also from Ottawa, pi'oximately $2500, the Alumni JIM MATHIS, a Pinckneyville is studying Commerce, he has al Board made many needed and many boy, is also going to be a freshman ready started working out with wonderful improvements: L.A.S. student, studying pre-med. the Illini track team. 1. Decorated walls and ceilings, LARRY McKNELLY, from ShelCompleting the pledge class, we With a total expenditure of ap- and cleaned rugs in library, byville, has a brother. Bob, who living room, card room, din ing room, and hall-way. 2. Covered and dining-room chairs re-built living-room chairs. 3. New drapes in cai'd room, library, and hall-way. New circular-sofa, pictures, JIM MILLER is one of our four Peoria pledges, and is a Commerce student. ROBERT NESBIT, whose father and brother are PePauw Fijis, is and tables in living room. entering the College of Fine and 5. Painted fire-places in library Applied Arts. and living room. CARL OSTRAND is from High6. Sand-blasted white stone on wood, and is one of our fine fresh 4. outside of house. These main improvements, plus have two men who are holdovers is a present active member of Chi from last year. They are FRANK Iota chapter. Larry will be in the HOFFMAN, DeKalb, sophomore L.A.S. College, in pre-med. man engineering students. football end and winner of the Rob ert, C. Zuppke Scholarship, and JERRY GRONIGER, sophomore Commerce student from Mattoon. He is the nephew of Richard Crowder. National Scholarship Chair man. As mentioned earlier we are ex ceptionally proud of this class. There is no doubt this is one of DICK PETERSON, from Paxton, the finest pledge classes brought has chosen the College of Com into Chi Iota. We urge everyone us something to really be proud of . . . and something to be very merce in which to gain his edu of you alumni to drop in at the cation. chapter house and meet these men thankful for to our alumnus. DAVE RITTMILLER, like Jim personally. a few more minor ones, have given While a student at the Univers Chi lofa Mourns Loss Of Two Loyal Alumni for four years, and president of Phi Gamma Delta lost two of the class of 1897. its most prominent and well-known alumni in recent months. Former Chi Iota Purple Legion naire John S. Crandell, professor emeritus of engineering circles died last July 8 at his summer home Bear Meadows farm, near Boalsburg. Pa. and Whiting, Ind. Brother Crandell was a member of Phi Gamma Delta at New York of Chi kissing of the pig ceremony. He is survived by his widow, He is survived by two sons, Fred, and John of Champaign, city edi Kathryn, a daughter, and a grand tor of the Urbana Courier, and daughter. A son, John Philip, was killed in World War II. two grandchildren. Iota, member 1925 until his death. For the last several years he has held the honor of being the oldest alumnus re After receiving his MS in zoo logy in 1898 he was principal of turning for Pig Dinner and took schools in Tuscola, Chicago Heights great pleasure in carrying out the Frederick W. Schacht died at the Charter destinies of Chi Iota from the time ity Brother Schacht was editor of he became professor of highvvay the mini, varsity football player engineering at the University in age of 79 this September 10 in University where he received his Grand Haven, Mich, after an ex bachelor of science degree in 1904 tended illness. He was a member of and a civil engineering degree in the class of 1897 and president 1906. of the Dad's Association in '34-'35. He was an active figure in the Former house treasurer and NROTC student Ray Brinkman '52, can be reached by writing Ens. R. M. Bi-inkman, USS Marquette (AKA-95), c/o Fleet Post Office, New York, N. Y. \r\nPage Four Ken Means Reports. . . (Continued from page 2) When you return to the halls of Chi Iota you will find the house in the best condition it has been in years. The place gleams with fresh paint, the windows are beautifully Alumni Notes R. M. Evans '06, 1124 B Kaneche Drive, Kaneohe, Territory of Ha waii: "The writer was put on the re- tii-ement list first of January and draped, the floor sports new carpet since I am now supposed to do a ing, (installed last year) and the lot of loafing from here on—have decided to go where loafing is not new furniture. The new color looked down on, as a matter of scheme is most pleasing and will fact, is regarded as an honorable living room October, 1953 THE ILLINOIS FIJI has some beautiful sure make you proud as you sur vey your "home away from home." The chapter at Champaign and many other chapters of other fra ternities face new problems in these "changing times" and must adjust to them. Your board of directors is trying to rocognizo thoso pvoblems and help guide the chapter. vocation. "Wish I could take in one more Fiji Gridders Unbeaten, Pledges Coach Thetas As the new school year of 1953'54 opens, we find the Illinois Fijis in strong contention for the coveted intramural trophy. In our first three football games thus far this season, we have beaten Theta Del ta Chi 29-0; Alpha Rho Chi 48-0; and more recently Phi Kappa Sig ma 27-0. In two practice games we downed the Kappa Sigs 21-6 and beat the Delta Tau Deltas 24-0. Outstanding men include seniors Homecoming game, but this year Ed Chapel, Dick Pawlak, Jack it is not possible." Kiest, Dick Tindall, Don Weaver, Gene Steffy, and Dick McCarthy. Harry J. Klotz '12, 160 Laurel Jack Arnold, Dick Little, Bill BingRoad, Chestnut Hill 67, Mass, is ham, and pledge Jim Babcock ai'e Chief Power Engineer for the Stone also turning in stellar perform & Webster Engineering Corp. in ances. Chapel and Tindall wore We may error in our judgement Boston. from time to time, but we feel we are making real progress. We have chosen for the All-I. M. team last year. "Fourth child, second girl, Laura I'-veryono is working hard to re Beth, born May 16, 1953," writes tain our last year's championship. and in Chicago during the past year which have had almost lOO'/r Charles W. Norton, Jr. '43. He All in all, we have a very good had many meetings in Champaign attendence. Only illness or very is connected with the Ail-Ameri chance to bring back another tro urgent business out of the city can Mfg. Co. in Los Angeles. His phy to "401." has kept a member away. I have home address is 1495 Vista Lane, Many of the minor sports such been blessed with a truely "work Pasadena 3, Calif. is badminton, handball, and volleying board of directors" who have oall are just getting underway. unselfishly given of their time. We on the board would like to take this opportunity to extend a North of the border is the home of Melton A. Reasoner '33. He is Chief Geologist for Canada-South We have won our first co-rec vol leyball game witb Chi Omega over Acacia and the Tri-Delts. The special invitation to all of you to ern Oils, Ltd. His home address is scores were 15-6; 15-4. try to get back to 401 E. John for 327 22nd Ave., West Calgary, Al Our new pledge class is loaded Homecoming on November 7th this berta, Canada. with talent to help us out in year. We would like to have the op Bob Evans '06, 2306 34 Ave. f. M. sports this year. We are all portunity to show off our new looking forward to a very success South, Seattle 44, Wash.: pledges our active chapter and the ful season and have high hopes of "The only lad in the last issue house itself. We would like to have winning the "big one" this year. I knew well enough to like and you present for our annual meet ing and banquet and have as many love was Chuck Eastman, who has Jack G. Miller '34, 2109 Illini of you as possible attend our Board spent the last ten years proving Road, Springfield; he is a good American. Was in Cal of Directors meeting on Saturday "In our industry, I have the ifornia last year and had I known morning before the game. pleasure of serving on the Board Chuck was there would have check Gilbert F. Campbell '38 has been named general agent of the Illi ed with him. "American Brake Shoe retired me uf Diiectors of the Construction In dustry Manufacturers of Ameri January 1 so after loafing around can Road Builders Association of here where everyone has a job, which W. B. (Bill) Greene '08, president of Barber-Greene Co. is ton, D. C. He began his career am going to Honolulu this fall." also a member. He is a splendid with the IC in the fall of '38, as an apprentice in the traffic depart Jerry Cox '49, new business ad gentleman and a high credit to nois Central Railroad in Washing ment. He has held his present job, dress, 307 East Locust St. Daven his company. "Warren Kinsey '33 has just been that of traffic agent in the Chicago port, la.: sales and service office, since early "My Illinois Fiji finally reached appointed Works Manager of Cat 1948. The Campbells will move to me through an address outdated erpillar Tractor Co.'s new plant Washington, D. C. as soon as they by tbree later ones. I opened my to be built at Decatur. Details can obtain living quarters. own architectural office in De be secured by writing Warren at cember, so I think I'll stay put for 530 West Richwoods Blvd., Peo- Robert B. Sullan '50, 1940 She- a while now. Betts and I have a ria. "As for myself, nthing startling. daughter born three days before man Ave., Evanston: "Now back in Illinois after a year Christmas of last year. The baby On January 12, I became a mem in Toledo. Am in the design de partment of Graham, Anderson, Prol)st, & White at 80 E. Michigan ave., Chicago. Have a new little son 'named Scott, born May 20." and the new business in one month ber of Board of Directoi-s of First wound up last year in a I'ather liusy National Bank of Springfield. Fam found up last year in a rather busy ily consists of gii'l, Marilyn age way, and they'i-e both keeping me nine and a half, and Jack G. Ill, jumping this year, too." aged six, plus wife, Marion.