From collection Phi Gamma Delta Documents Collection
1968-1969 Historical Summary of the Rho Phi Startup at Rose-Poly
Three page summary of the 1968-1969 startup of the group which eventually became the Rho Phi chapter at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The summary was published in the ten-year history of the Rho Phi chapter, The Owl that Roared, edited by Paul Curtin (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 1980).
,Early History of the Colony Core Group
IN THE BEGINNING ...
Take one group of young college men at Rose Poly seeking to start a senior chapter of the order of Demolay, one graduate chapter of Phi Gamma Delta seeking to establish an undergraduate chapter at Indiana State University, and one Fiji hierarchy totally uninterested in same Rose Poly, and mix well. Let simmer for ten years, stirring frequently, and you get a Fiji chapter that is the strongest, most balanced chapter on the Rose -Hulman campus. If that was a little too fast for you, then read on.
Let's investigate the undergraduate angle first. After their original notion was repulsed by the Demolay home office, they decided to survey the possibility of forming a sixth social fraternity at Rose. This idea was greeted with enthusiasm by both the students interested and the school administration. (Excepting Ralph Ross.) So, in the spring of 1968, the fourteen sophomores and one junior whose lives were to become so intertwined in the next few years set out fraternity-hunting, knowing that they had to fill a void in their lives and the school atmosphere at Rose that was not filled by the five fraternities at the time. From the Core Group's Historical Notes, "There was indeed a strong sense of spirit and cooperativeness among those who wished to become a part of the building social organization, and in a few short weeks, the group of 15 core members emerged as an optimistic, energetic unit."
The first group meeting was held on April 11, and Bruce Williams was elected President, with Sid Stoffer becoming Secretary. Already, Phi Gamma Delta was the most favorable choice of the group members. In subsequent meetings that month, great progress was reported. The IFC resolved to help the Rose Poly Colony Core Group become the next social fraternity on campus.
The Rose Faculty Committee gave the group formal permission to proceed in seeking fraternity status. Phi Gamma Delta remained foremost In their minds. The fourth meeting on May 8th saw an operating budget established, and the committee structure organized. The next meeting held quite a disappointment in store for the group members. Phi Gamma Delta had informed the group that Rose was not on their approved school list, and a time consuming process was involved in colonization. Instead of becoming discouraged, the Core Group became only more determined to meet immediately with local graduates of Phi Gamma Delta to learn more about the fraternity.
This initial meeting consisted of a presentation by Dr. Guthrie and Dean Mighell, followed by a question and answer session. These men too had known disappointment, for in the previous year their attempts to start a Fiji chapter at ISU had failed. Coming off this setback, they understandably were not too interested in forming a chapter at Rose Poly, and in fact at this meeting tried to discourage the Core Group by explaining the long process necessary to get on the provisional list, colonize, and finally install a chapter. But the Terre Haute Graduate Chapter failed to account for the intelligence, cohesiveness, and determination of this band of young men. This group would not give up easily. So impressive were these young fellows, that only eight days after expecting to brush off the men from Rose, the Graduate Chapter found itself asking for a definite commitment from the Colony Core Group.
The group agreed to commit, with the stipulation that the Graduate Chapter would present the Core Group's case at the forthcoming Bahamas' Ekklesia. On May 29,1968, a firm seal was placed on the relationship that would last and grow for years to come.
The ball was now in the Graduate Chapter's hands, and what sure hands they were. In the previous year, the Graduate Chapter had traveled Indiana with the "Road Show", visiting other Fiji chapters in the state promoting Terre Haute. This, of course, was done with the intention of getting a chapter started at ISU. So the groundwork had been previously laid. And what a great stroke of luck it was that the members of the Graduate Chapter flying to the Ekklesia were on the same plans as several Archons. After a lot of talking and an equal number of drinks, it didn't sound like too bad of an idea not only to have Rose Poly put on the provisional list, but if the boys were that outstanding, why not colonize them also? This telegram told of their immense success:
"120th Grand Bahama Ekklesia, 9.27 a.m., Aug. 24, 1968. Placed Rose Polytechnic Institute on provisional list and directed immediate establishment of Delta Colony.
Interfraternally,
William R. Miller and Donald Mighell."
This accomplishment by the Graduate Chapter shortened the Delta Colony's road to installation by one to two years. From the Notes, "This action was unusually swift as 200 schools were awaiting colonization, and was due to the fine group already established,"
On October 1, 1968 the final roadblocks to colonization were removed with the approval of the IFC and the Rose Administration. At the Hulman Union on October 7, the Delta Colony was established with a formal pledging of the Immortal 15. Only six months after the first group meeting, the colony had been established. The Colony Core Group had chosen Phi Gamma Delta because their goals were in accordance with those of Fiji, those being:
"As a fraternity we want to add to the formal education of the Rose curriculum. We want the refinement of each member. We want the experience of belonging to this fraternity to enrich each member's life both before and after graduation. We want to emphasize to each member that he is an individual and to assist him to develop as such. But at the same time we want to cause him to realize that he is not an isolated individual. He is a member of this fraternity, he is a student at Rose; he is a citizen of this nation. And we want him to be aware that each of these associations requires of him specific responsibilities and obligations.
Inherently connected to these goals are many ideals in which we believe. Of these, there are four which encompass the rest. First is the pursuance of excellence in all endeavors. Second is being responsible for one's thoughts and actions. Third is being honest with oneself and others. And, fourth is serving one's fellow man. With these ideals and these goals, we hope to make the commitment to this fraternity a meaningful commitment."
Ahead lay a tough pathway for the fifteen, for the Delta Colony was far from being a strong social fraternity, much as a new pledge is far from being a good active.
Note: This summary is from The Owl That Roared, history of the Rho Phi Chapter from 1969-1979. This book was edited by Paul Curtin. Contributors were Rick Cahill, Roe East, Frank Gavrilos, Blair Hughes, Dave Oakley, Dave Parker, Anil Patel, Paul Sechrist, Randy Shinkle, and Perry Stephens.
Details
,Early History of the Colony Core Group
IN THE BEGINNING ...
Take one group of young college men at Rose Poly seeking to start a senior chapter of the order of Demolay, one graduate chapter of Phi Gamma Delta seeking to establish an undergraduate chapter at Indiana State University, and one Fiji hierarchy totally uninterested in same Rose Poly, and mix well. Let simmer for ten years, stirring frequently, and you get a Fiji chapter that is the strongest, most balanced chapter on the Rose -Hulman campus. If that was a little too fast for you, then read on.
Let's investigate the undergraduate angle first. After their original notion was repulsed by the Demolay home office, they decided to survey the possibility of forming a sixth social fraternity at Rose. This idea was greeted with enthusiasm by both the students interested and the school administration. (Excepting Ralph Ross.) So, in the spring of 1968, the fourteen sophomores and one junior whose lives were to become so intertwined in the next few years set out fraternity-hunting, knowing that they had to fill a void in their lives and the school atmosphere at Rose that was not filled by the five fraternities at the time. From the Core Group's Historical Notes, "There was indeed a strong sense of spirit and cooperativeness among those who wished to become a part of the building social organization, and in a few short weeks, the group of 15 core members emerged as an optimistic, energetic unit."
The first group meeting was held on April 11, and Bruce Williams was elected President, with Sid Stoffer becoming Secretary. Already, Phi Gamma Delta was the most favorable choice of the group members. In subsequent meetings that month, great progress was reported. The IFC resolved to help the Rose Poly Colony Core Group become the next social fraternity on campus.
The Rose Faculty Committee gave the group formal permission to proceed in seeking fraternity status. Phi Gamma Delta remained foremost In their minds. The fourth meeting on May 8th saw an operating budget established, and the committee structure organized. The next meeting held quite a disappointment in store for the group members. Phi Gamma Delta had informed the group that Rose was not on their approved school list, and a time consuming process was involved in colonization. Instead of becoming discouraged, the Core Group became only more determined to meet immediately with local graduates of Phi Gamma Delta to learn more about the fraternity.
This initial meeting consisted of a presentation by Dr. Guthrie and Dean Mighell, followed by a question and answer session. These men too had known disappointment, for in the previous year their attempts to start a Fiji chapter at ISU had failed. Coming off this setback, they understandably were not too interested in forming a chapter at Rose Poly, and in fact at this meeting tried to discourage the Core Group by explaining the long process necessary to get on the provisional list, colonize, and finally install a chapter. But the Terre Haute Graduate Chapter failed to account for the intelligence, cohesiveness, and determination of this band of young men. This group would not give up easily. So impressive were these young fellows, that only eight days after expecting to brush off the men from Rose, the Graduate Chapter found itself asking for a definite commitment from the Colony Core Group.
The group agreed to commit, with the stipulation that the Graduate Chapter would present the Core Group's case at the forthcoming Bahamas' Ekklesia. On May 29,1968, a firm seal was placed on the relationship that would last and grow for years to come.
The ball was now in the Graduate Chapter's hands, and what sure hands they were. In the previous year, the Graduate Chapter had traveled Indiana with the "Road Show", visiting other Fiji chapters in the state promoting Terre Haute. This, of course, was done with the intention of getting a chapter started at ISU. So the groundwork had been previously laid. And what a great stroke of luck it was that the members of the Graduate Chapter flying to the Ekklesia were on the same plans as several Archons. After a lot of talking and an equal number of drinks, it didn't sound like too bad of an idea not only to have Rose Poly put on the provisional list, but if the boys were that outstanding, why not colonize them also? This telegram told of their immense success:
"120th Grand Bahama Ekklesia, 9.27 a.m., Aug. 24, 1968. Placed Rose Polytechnic Institute on provisional list and directed immediate establishment of Delta Colony.
Interfraternally,
William R. Miller and Donald Mighell."
This accomplishment by the Graduate Chapter shortened the Delta Colony's road to installation by one to two years. From the Notes, "This action was unusually swift as 200 schools were awaiting colonization, and was due to the fine group already established,"
On October 1, 1968 the final roadblocks to colonization were removed with the approval of the IFC and the Rose Administration. At the Hulman Union on October 7, the Delta Colony was established with a formal pledging of the Immortal 15. Only six months after the first group meeting, the colony had been established. The Colony Core Group had chosen Phi Gamma Delta because their goals were in accordance with those of Fiji, those being:
"As a fraternity we want to add to the formal education of the Rose curriculum. We want the refinement of each member. We want the experience of belonging to this fraternity to enrich each member's life both before and after graduation. We want to emphasize to each member that he is an individual and to assist him to develop as such. But at the same time we want to cause him to realize that he is not an isolated individual. He is a member of this fraternity, he is a student at Rose; he is a citizen of this nation. And we want him to be aware that each of these associations requires of him specific responsibilities and obligations.
Inherently connected to these goals are many ideals in which we believe. Of these, there are four which encompass the rest. First is the pursuance of excellence in all endeavors. Second is being responsible for one's thoughts and actions. Third is being honest with oneself and others. And, fourth is serving one's fellow man. With these ideals and these goals, we hope to make the commitment to this fraternity a meaningful commitment."
Ahead lay a tough pathway for the fifteen, for the Delta Colony was far from being a strong social fraternity, much as a new pledge is far from being a good active.
Note: This summary is from The Owl That Roared, history of the Rho Phi Chapter from 1969-1979. This book was edited by Paul Curtin. Contributors were Rick Cahill, Roe East, Frank Gavrilos, Blair Hughes, Dave Oakley, Dave Parker, Anil Patel, Paul Sechrist, Randy Shinkle, and Perry Stephens.
