From collection Phi Gamma Delta Documents Collection
The Owl that Roared: 1968-1969 Rho Phi at Rose-Hulman Chapter History
Chapter historical summary for the colony at Rose Poly (now Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology) for the 1968-1969 year when the colony was established. This summary was part of a comprehensive summary of the chapter's first 10 years published in 1979.
,Rho Phi Chapter History - 1968 - 1969
This was a year of firsts. After the colonization ceremonies, the fifteen were left with the work that a chapter of fifty handles today. This established the first priority; get some pledges. The Rush Committee organized the first formal rush for the sophomores on October 13, and as a result, 11 sophomores pledged to become the second pledge class.
Things were moving in a whirl of activities now. October 25 and 27 marked the first look the freshmen had at the Delta Colony in "Get-Acquainted Parties" held at the Lutheran Center. The second pledge class was formally pledged on October 28. A display had to be built for the Homecoming parade on November 9. The brothers came up with a formal rush party with a Polynesian theme at the Phoenix Country Club in late November that is the forerunner of today's South Sea Isle party. On December 3, fourteen of the initial members were formally initiated into the Delta Colony.
Of course, not all was serious. There was the Fiji Rain Dance prior to the football season. The team may not have distinguished itself on the scoreboard, but one thing was sure: everybody played. The Intramural bowling team swept to a first place finish. Parties and mixers were held with sororities from ISU. The chapter was justifiably proud at having brother John Hodsden as Student Government President, and at winning the IFC Scholarship Trophy hands down.
The colony began moving into high gear after a breather at Christmas. On January 4, the second pledge class was formally initiated at the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church. Nine men were initiated, bringing the total number of actives to 23. During the next few weeks, four more rush parties were held at the Holiday Inn, with the happy result of bringing one more sophomore and nine freshmen into the chapter.
The Chapter was soon involved in a big social service project, working for the United Fund and Goodwill Industries. The next weekend brought the first annual retreat, this one at the Abe Martin Lodge, including the "Pledge Father-Son Tug-o-war", formal pledging ceremony for the third pledge class, and fellowship that lasted well into the early next morning. This one weekend truly brought the chapter into a unified whole, dedicated to obtaining its charter as quickly as possible. On March 1, the Colony attended its first State Day, and enjoyed meeting brothers from chapters across the state at the banquet and in athletic competition.
With spring came elections, and the new officers were:
Bob Meyer, President
Steve Whitesell, Treasurer
Steve Goble, Recording Secretary
Don Morris, Corresponding Secretary
Richard Newman, Historian
Then the first annual Road Rallye allowed the pledge class to show its stuff, and harass the actives as well. April 25th proved to be one of the most important days in chapter history as it was decided to purchase the Barhydt House on 1121 South Sixth Street as a permanent home for the chapter. It provided a place where 29 men could live and grow together in brotherhood, as well as being the most beautiful fraternity house at Rose, a great selling point during Rush.
The first Pig Dinner was held on May 1 in the Hulman Union. While there were no Colony graduates, there were members of the Terre Haute Graduate Chapter present, and brothers from around the state. On May 12, seven members of the third pledge class were initiated, and the number of actives now stood at thirty. Finally, to round out the year, the first Fiji Island Party occurred at the Isaac Walton Beach. There were problems, such as rain and poison ivy, but all the brothers and their dates still could not help having a good time, with all of the accomplishments of the past year behind them, and the challenges of the coming year confronting them, not the least of which was preparing a house for 29 men.
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
,Rho Phi Chapter History - 1968 - 1969
This was a year of firsts. After the colonization ceremonies, the fifteen were left with the work that a chapter of fifty handles today. This established the first priority; get some pledges. The Rush Committee organized the first formal rush for the sophomores on October 13, and as a result, 11 sophomores pledged to become the second pledge class.
Things were moving in a whirl of activities now. October 25 and 27 marked the first look the freshmen had at the Delta Colony in "Get-Acquainted Parties" held at the Lutheran Center. The second pledge class was formally pledged on October 28. A display had to be built for the Homecoming parade on November 9. The brothers came up with a formal rush party with a Polynesian theme at the Phoenix Country Club in late November that is the forerunner of today's South Sea Isle party. On December 3, fourteen of the initial members were formally initiated into the Delta Colony.
Of course, not all was serious. There was the Fiji Rain Dance prior to the football season. The team may not have distinguished itself on the scoreboard, but one thing was sure: everybody played. The Intramural bowling team swept to a first place finish. Parties and mixers were held with sororities from ISU. The chapter was justifiably proud at having brother John Hodsden as Student Government President, and at winning the IFC Scholarship Trophy hands down.
The colony began moving into high gear after a breather at Christmas. On January 4, the second pledge class was formally initiated at the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church. Nine men were initiated, bringing the total number of actives to 23. During the next few weeks, four more rush parties were held at the Holiday Inn, with the happy result of bringing one more sophomore and nine freshmen into the chapter.
The Chapter was soon involved in a big social service project, working for the United Fund and Goodwill Industries. The next weekend brought the first annual retreat, this one at the Abe Martin Lodge, including the "Pledge Father-Son Tug-o-war", formal pledging ceremony for the third pledge class, and fellowship that lasted well into the early next morning. This one weekend truly brought the chapter into a unified whole, dedicated to obtaining its charter as quickly as possible. On March 1, the Colony attended its first State Day, and enjoyed meeting brothers from chapters across the state at the banquet and in athletic competition.
With spring came elections, and the new officers were:
Bob Meyer, President
Steve Whitesell, Treasurer
Steve Goble, Recording Secretary
Don Morris, Corresponding Secretary
Richard Newman, Historian
Then the first annual Road Rallye allowed the pledge class to show its stuff, and harass the actives as well. April 25th proved to be one of the most important days in chapter history as it was decided to purchase the Barhydt House on 1121 South Sixth Street as a permanent home for the chapter. It provided a place where 29 men could live and grow together in brotherhood, as well as being the most beautiful fraternity house at Rose, a great selling point during Rush.
The first Pig Dinner was held on May 1 in the Hulman Union. While there were no Colony graduates, there were members of the Terre Haute Graduate Chapter present, and brothers from around the state. On May 12, seven members of the third pledge class were initiated, and the number of actives now stood at thirty. Finally, to round out the year, the first Fiji Island Party occurred at the Isaac Walton Beach. There were problems, such as rain and poison ivy, but all the brothers and their dates still could not help having a good time, with all of the accomplishments of the past year behind them, and the challenges of the coming year confronting them, not the least of which was preparing a house for 29 men.
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.
