A Publication of the Rho Phi Chapter of Phi Gamma Delta, Rose–Hulman Institute of Technology - August 24, 2018 Fifty Years Ago... Upcoming Dates for 50th Anniversary Celebration: Football Tailgate - Sept 8 Homecoming - Oct 6 Brewery Tour - Jan 19 Pig Dinner Gala - May 4 A Fateful Flight to the 1968 Grand Bahamas Ekklesia … two weeks ago (August 10, 1968) the Colony Core group had a successful meeting with the Terre Haute Graduate Chapter. The graduate chapter had finally given the group full support to bring Phi Gamma Delta to Rose Poly. Two members of the Terre Haute Graduate Chapter were scheduled to attend the 120th Ekklesia in the Bahamas toward the end of August. These brothers, Don Mighell and Bill Miller, flew down for the Ekklesia a few days ago. That was a fateful flight as three or four archons (board members of the Fraternity) were on the flight. Don and Bill took turns sitting next to the archons and purchased a few drinks during their conversations. By the time the plane landed, the board members had agreed that they would support the colonization of Rose Poly if they could convince the Committee of Charters. 1848 Club Committee Wes Bolsen, chair David Steinbock Ed Fain Jake Whitacre Joe Weist Rho Phi House Corporation Ed Fain, president Chip Bradway, secretary Doug Collier Nate Richter Rob Bunch Andy Horton Matt Baber Randy Ridgway Oh, and by the way, the Committee of Charters was to be chaired by Don Mighell. They also had to build support with the Section Chief as well as the Indiana chapters. Don and Bill decided to host a series of receptions at the Ekklesia to build support for the Core Group and Rose Poly. [As a side note, these receptions hosted by Bill and Don continued at every Ekklesia until Don’s death. They continue hosted by Bill Miller and Joe Weist. The latest took place a few weeks ago in Dallas attended by over 100 brothers and guests]. On August 24, 1968, at 9:27 am, Don Mighell stood before the Ekklesia and recommended that not only should Rose Poly be placed on the Provisional List, but that a Delta Colony should be immediately established. This recommendation was approved by the Ekklesia. Normally this process would take years. The Ekklesia approval short circuited the process. A telegram was received at 1:52 PM, EST by John Hodsden, member of the Core Group which read: “120th GRAND BAHAMA EKKLESIA, 9:27 AM, AUG. 24, 1968. PLACED ROSE POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE ON PROVISIONAL LIST AND DIRECTED IMMEDIATE ESTABLISHMENT OF DELTA COLONY. INTERFRATERNALLY, WILLIAM R. MILLER and DONALD MIGHELL.” The next “50 Years Ago…” will detail the process that the Colony Core group needed to go through to get permission from Rose Poly to colonize.