VOLUME 2, NUMBER 2 MAY, 1970 Finale Sigma, national Physicshonorary, Eta Kappa Nu, national Elec- trical Engineering honorary, Pi Tau Sig- ma, national Mechanical Engineer ing honorary, Interd ormitory Council, Math Club, Band, Physics Club, Radio Club, and Camera Club. Beginners’ ‘To dream the impossible dream, To reach the unreachable star, This is my quest...” Don Quixote “Man of La Mancha’’ The 1969-70 academic year marks an end to a significant portion of the history of Rho Phi. Sixteen brothers are grad And in uating, the four teen of ware Chapter oat of itself, the the “Immo seniors pro ved to be the guiding force fr om the very beg inning—the very fo undation and corners tone which created a br otherhood to last for ye ars to come. We of Rho Phi salute our graduating seniors, George J. Butkovich, Jr., W. Edgar Dye, Ga ry W. Gladish, Gary L. Groff, John B. Hodsden, James M. Lowes, Ro- bert C. Meyer, Gregory A. Montgome ry, Richard A, Newman, Richard L. Pace, Theodore M. Smith, Sidney L. Stoffer, Stephen R. Whitesell, and Bruce P, Williams, fourteen of the “Immortal Fif- teen’, and Robert H. Harrison and Don-ald G Morris. May they carry on to a rewarding futur tgomery, Gary W. Gladish, Ted M. Smith, Walter E. pye, Sidney L. Stoffer, Garry L. Groff, Robert © Meyer, John B. Hodsden, George J. Butkovich, Robert H. Harrison. rtal Fifteen” —the original Delta Colony fou nders. The seniors total record of achieve- ments, awards, and honors is a record to be rivalled for years to come. Nine have been awarded membership in Tau Beta Pi, National Engineering Honorary, and three out of the four officers of Tau Beta Pi are senior Fijis. Seven were chosen for recognition in “Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities,” and five will be graduating with high honors and five with honors. Senior Fijis have also held major offices in Blue Key, national service fraternity, Sigma Pi Top to bottom, left to right— Steven R. Whitesell, James Mills Lowes, Donald G. Morris, Richard L. Pace, Richard A. Newman, Gregory A. Mon- \r\nPage Two V. P. Graham May 1, Founder’s Day, proved to be a double celebration at Rho Phi as Broth- er James H. Graham, ’72, was elected Vice-President of the student body at RPI. Brother Graham campaigned on an eight-point platform which broke down into three sections: social, courses and curriculum, and student government ser- vice. Specific issues included expansion of pass-fail courses, the creation of astu- dent activities board, an integrated cam- pus social program, and expansion of summer jobs for students. Brother Graham holds a qualified back- ground for his new office, The offices of Student Body Historian and Vice Presi- dent of the Sophomore class during the 69-70 academic year have given him valuable training. Also aiding him will have been participation on various Cv. .- mittees such as the Physics Depart- ment Advisory Committee, Student Hand- book Committee, and Student Committee on Quality of Education. % * * * * * * THE ROSE FIJI Last year Jim was honored by receiv- ing the Bronze Hemmingway Medal for compiling the highest scholastic average of the freshman class. For two consecu- tive years, Jim has been the recipient of the R.O.T.C, outstanding cadet award for excellence in the R.O.T.C. curricula. Presently he is serving as the Chapter treasurer and IFC representative. PRR RRR KR EKER BE REE EEE oe FIJI WARRIORS i z sere rebobobobbebeboibioneisoicnisisiekekokok Rho Phi fielded two intra-mural bas- ketball teams and one intra-fraternity team this year. The season was enjoy- able although not overly successful. The high points in IF competition were the close fought games with Triangle and Lambda Chi Aplha, Chances for more victories look good for next year. Scor- ing leader Jay Sensibaugh will be re- turning along with this year’s pledge class, which had two or three of its members on the starting lineup. We are now in the midst of the soft- ball season, and again we have three teams. Bad weather and poor fields have created problems, but all three teams have managed to stay in the area of fourth place. Coached by senior Jim Lowes, the IF team has showed a high scoring potential, many games being in double figures. Much of the team will graduate this June and the outcome of the next season will rest on the un- derclassmen. Football season next year should prove to be interesting. Although some of our size and speed of this year will no long- er be here due to graduation, the pledge class contains much promise, The team will emphasize quickness next year and will try to capitalize on our opponent’s weaknesses. May, 1970 Volume 2, Number 2 Editor .. Bill Henry Contributors—Greg N. Reising 63, Cecil L. Whitaker ’63, Sidney L. Stoffer ’70, Gary N. Bowman ’72, Dale L. Zeleznik ’72, Robert H. Harrison ’70, Steve G. Thomas °73, Thomas L. Jackson ’72, Joel V. Sander: , Mark A. Marinko °73, Robert R. Entrakin 73, Ted M. Smith ’70. Published by the Rho Phi of Phi Gamma Delta at Rose Polytechnic Insti- tute, Terre Haute, Indiana 47803. Communications may be addressed to the Editor at the Phi Gamma Delta House, 1121 South 6th Street, Terre Haute, Ind- iana 47802, or by phone at Area Code 812, 235-6113. \r\nPage Three Brother Breitmeyer The men of Rho Phi are very proud to have Dr. Michael O, Breitmeyer as a most distinguished brother. Dr. Breitmeyer was born in 1940, has lived in Louisville, Ky., and now resides in Terre Haute. He received a B.S. in Chemical En- gineering at the Speed School of Engineer- ing, a division of the University of Louis- ville in 1963. At the University of Wis- consin, he earned his M.S. in 1965 and a Ph.D. in 1967. In the fall of that year, he came to Rose and is currently work- ing in the Bio-Engineering Department. About the fraternity, Dr. Breitmeyer stated: ‘I was impressed by the atti- tude the men of Phi Gamma Delta showed to both my wife and myself whenever we associated with them!”’ Dr. Breitmeyer teaches broad back- ground type courses such as physical science and physiology as well as more specialized ones such as medical en- gineering and environmental physiology. He feels that the ‘‘. . . most import- ant contribution that the Bio-Engineering department can give to our school is to make Rose students aware of the criti- cal interdependence of living systems and Engineering systems. With the cur- rent emphasis on problems of environ- mental pollution and rising medical costs, Biological Engineering has, on a broad scale, an opportunity and duty to bring together the tools of the biological scien- tists and engineers in an attempt to for- mulate and carry out solutions.”” In his life’s work, Dr. Breitmeyer exemplifies the highest values and goals of our fraternity through his dedication to the betterment of life for all mankind through Bio-Engineering. a little work — Phi Gamma Delta has participated in two major service projects this spring. The first activity, which was initiated last year, was working for the Terre Haute Park Commission. On Saturday, April 4, the Fijis arrived en masse at Dobb’s Memorial Park, ready for work. During the course of the day, ground was cleared for a baseball diamond, a major section THE ROSE FIJI FiJIs Recieve Honors Several Fijis were honored at the Spring Honors convocation held in the Rose auditorium on May 12, at which brother John Hodsden, ‘70, the president of the Rose Student Body, was master of ceremonies. It was announced that broth- er Steve Whitesell, ‘70, was among those elected into Pi Mu Epsilon national honor- ary mathematics fraternity. Next, Rho Phi Purple Legionnaire, Dr. Frank A. Guthrie (Hanover ‘50), as president of the Indiana Academy of Science, awarded to brother Bruce Williams, ‘70, a one-year subscription to ‘Science’ (the official publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science). Bruce was selected as the outstanding senior in the department of Bio-Engineering and was therefore eligible for Dr. Guthrie’s award. Tension mounted as the Director of De- velopment of Rose Poly, Ron Reeves, pre- sented the I.F.C. Scholarship Trophy to the fraternity with the highest collective grade point average. Chapter president Steve Goble, ‘71, graciously accepted the trophy. Rose Honor Keys are given to those students who, by participation in extra- curricular activities, have shown im- mense dedication to the entire Rose com- munity. This spring two brothers receiv- ed their keys. They were Bob Meyer, ‘70, past chapter president, and Ted Smith, ‘70, presently Publicity Chairman for the Rose Student Body. Brother Williams again stepped into the spotlight as president of Tau Beta Pi national honorary engineering fraternity and conducted tapping ceremonies. Among the new Tau Beta Pi pledges was brother Roger Martindell, ‘71. The convocation ended with the tapping ceremony of Blue Key national honorary service fraternity. Steve Goble was among the new Blue Key pledges. a cleaner park of the forest was trimmed and cleaned, and a large area of briars and under- growth was completely removed from the southwest side of the park. Park offi- cials were not hesitant to express their appreciation for the Phi Gams’ work. Mr. Howard Harbaugh, superintendent of city parks, remarked that Phi Gamma Delta was “‘the hardest working group’’ he has had the pleasure of working with. May, 1970 Pollution Battle The Senior Civil Engineering Class at Rose, as their Senior Department project, undertook a study of pollution inthe Terre Haute area and compared their results to other areas in the country. Their work centered in several levels, the national scene, the local picture, the part educa- tional institutions play, the role of so- cial organizations, and the obligation of the engineer toward an elimination of the pollution problem, Research and persistant digging show- ed that the levels of air pollution in the area were all above national averages and above what the population of Terre Haute warranted. The water pollution problem was found to have small signi- ficance to the area because the public water supply is drawn from wells and not from the polluted Wabash river. The most startling information was gained from a public survey distributed in the area. The vast majority ofthe popu- lation did not blame the local industry for the problem but realized that it was likewise their responsibility. The people said they would be active and participate in programs of pollution abatement if they only knew where to start. They were unaware of the local Air Pollution Con- trol Board and some of the federal agen- cies. When the results of the six-month study were presented, the local newspapers were quick to pick up the lead and stimu- lated public interest. Their efforts served as a booster tothe Environmental Aware- ness activities around April 22. Bob Harrison (RPI ‘70) was Project En- gineer for the undertaking. A party back at the House in the eve- ning put the finishing touches on an ex- hausting but rewarding day of service. Faithful to tradition, work day chair- man John Smith was first to break the scum on Dobb’s Lake. Pledge class presi- dent Ken Rasner was soon to follow. A few weeks later Phi Gamma Delta took part in another annual project— that of raising funds for the American Cancer Society. This year’s Cancer Fund Chairman, Gary Groff, organized the chapter into ten teams. Each team had a captain and a section of town to can- vass. Altogether the chapter’s canvassing covered some sixty square blocks on the south side of Terre Haute. \r\nPage Four THE ROSE FIJI May, 1970 Those times.... Rho Phi’s first year in our new house has been a momentous one. The first party was held at the end of the sum- mer, before school started. In October, we took time out from working on the homecoming float to have a celebration after the Association Concert. Also in October the first annual Fiji Olympics were held on the RPI practice field. There were five teams,from St. Mary’s. November was a busy time, with in- stallation activities. Following the formal ball held at the RPI union on November 23, an unforgettable “‘bash’”’ was held at the house. In January, a ‘Roaring Twenties’”’ par- ty was held with the ’s, The speak easy in the basement was lively, with blaring music upstairs. Brother Bowman kept guard on the door with his Thom- son su}. February was a time for date parties, followed by finals time again in March. April opened up with a very enjoyable “Purple Garter Dance’’, to the surprise of many dates! A lively P.J. date party was held on the next weekend. We closed the month with the Pledge Class Car Rally and festivities afterwards. The big event of the year came on the second weekend in May, Fiji Island. A warm-up party was held on Friday to get everyone in the ‘‘mood’’ for the week- end. Highlights included water nymphs, astronomy lessons, and other usual ac- tivities. The big event was held on Satur- day at Spring Lake, near Brazil, Indiana. The island was moved after uncoopera- tive rains to this location. Brother Jack- son put in a lot of time setting it up. Afternoon activities started with swim- ming, both voluntary and involuntary, at- tempts to cross the one hundred-thirty- foot rope bridge, boat sinking, and sun- soaking, Everyone enjoyed the exotic dish- es prepared by Brothers Doyle and Har- rison when it came suppertime. The evening began under threatening skies, aggravated by the fine sounds of “Goliath”. This attracted neighbors from some distance around. Everyone retired to a frolic on the beanch until the rains drove them away—sometime. Greek weekend activities took place on the 15th through 17th of May with every- one having a blast the entire time. The year will be wrapped up with parties at the house and the year end celebration after the inevitable finals. At Rho Phi, the life of the pledge constituted a unique learning process, part rote, part osmotic, all useful, most- ly all fun, From that first Monday night when the pledge was introduced to the fraternity spirit at Bacchie revel dis- guised as a “‘Card Party”, the learning process firmly took hold. The later half of the winter quarter saw officers elected and the first coed social event. A retreat at Brown County served to strengthen and unite the pledg- es with the actives. In addition, the ac- tivities of the day enunciate those high ideals of equality, sportsmanship, etc., enumerated in the pledges gospel of fra- ternity living, the “Purple Pilgrim’. Of course, all pledge classes have prob- lems, III being no exception. Actives, an inherent passion for bottle collecting, the determined pursuit of academic excel- lence, and inter-communication plagued them continually. Pledge dads and moms were at times hard pressed to consul their sons. Yet to their credit, through determined leadership and continual ef- fort, two successful work days were held at Dobb’s Park; the later of which re- ceived ‘‘tube’’ recognition. These outings not only moulded the spirit of brotherhood, but financed the group’s later activities. A scrapbook con- taining III’s activities with the frater- nity is currently being finished. The car rally across outlying territories and cul- minating in a bonfire and general jam session proved one of the high points of the social calendar. These outstanding features of pledgeship only serve to illu- minate it, rather than to explain what it has meant to those in III. PLEDGE.70. ellaneotay a Brother Rho Phi has been actively participating in colonization of Phi Gamma Delta at In- diana State University. From the start, December 17, 1969, the chapter has pledg- ed its support in seeing that this colony becomes a successful chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. The Delta Colony formally pledged its first undergraduate members on February 1, 1970, Bruce Williams, John Smith, Richard Newman, Loren Doyle and Sid Stoffer participated in ac- tivating sixteen members on April 12, 1970. A second group was activiated on April 26 bringing the total member- ship to 33 members. A Buss The Rho Phi Norris Pig Dinner was held at the Hulman Memorial Union on Thursday, April 30, 1970. The newly- formed Indiana State Delta Colony and their pledges were invited. Others on the guest list were John Scott (1.U. 730), president of the board of trustees of Phi Gamma Delta; Rev. George Taggart (Hanover '30), the guest speaker; Joe Carney, section chief of section twenty- one, brothers of the Terre Haute Gradu- ate Chapter; and Dan Phelps (RPI ’69), Rho Phi’s single graduate brother. Phi Gamma Delta 1757 N St., N.W. Washington , D.C. 20036 THIRD CLASS RETURN REQUESTED