From collection Phi Gamma Delta Documents Collection
The Owl that Roared: 1969-1970 Rho Phi History Summary
Twp page summary of the 1969-1970 school year at the Rho Phi Chapter at Rose-Poly (now Rose-Hulman). The summary was part of a ten-year chapter history published in 1979 called The Owl that Roared.
,Rho Phi Chapter History - 1969 - 1970
During the summer of 1969 the long, slow process of transforming the house began. The Colony members trooped back weekend after weekend, and the work went fast. Among the notable events that occurred were the felling of a priceless, old, rotten, Twisted Hawthorne, and the simultaneous moon-landing by the US and owl-landing in the front yard, surely a good omen for things to come.
The chapter's installation was one of the good things about to happen. Permission was granted by the Rose faculty, IFC, administration, and also by Headquarters. At the same time, the chapter was working hard on its Homecoming float, and got Miss Kristie Van Allen elected to the Queen's court. The next weekend saw the first Fiji Olympics held on the practice football field, as well as numerous rush functions. Finally, the big weekend arrived.
The house was dedicated on November 20, and all guests were registered. On November 21, 39 men were pledged into Phi Gamma Delta. The following day, 31 men were initiated, all activities taking place at the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church, followed by a gala chartering ball that evening at the Hulman Memorial Union. This weekend represented the culmination of a dream of 15 men, and certainly will never be forgotten by anyone involved with it (although the Purple Passion on Saturday night will dim some memories).
Of course, all during this time the chapter was working hard at rush, and this effort paid off on Bid Day, January 19, as 19 freshman were pledged, as well as Dr. Michael Breitmeyer, an associate professor at Rose.
These men were treated to an outstanding Retreat three weeks later, held at Spring Mill State Park. The opportunity to sit and talk to the Immortal 15 was extremely beneficial for the new pledges.
State Day rolled around pretty soon, and most of the brothers journeyed to Indianapolis for bowling, basketball, and bridge with Fijis from around Indiana. William S. Zerman was the invited speaker.
The second annual work day at Dobbs Park kicked off things in the Spring Quarter, and the chapter raised enough money raking leaves and doing other maintenance work to pay for new curtains and Greek letters for the house. The chapter also selected its new officers for the year. These were:
Steve Goble - President
Jim Graham - Treasurer
Loren Doyle - Recording Secretary
Tom Hendrickson - Corresponding Secretary
John Smith - Historian
The month of April was capped with the chapter's second Pig Dinner, held in the Hulman Union. Special guests in attendance were members of the Indiana State Delta Colony.
Of course, Fijis being what they are, many received honors during the year. The highlight was when brother Jim Graham was elected SGA Vice-President. The chapter itself was awarded the IFC scholarship trophy for the second year in a row. Eight brothers were elected into Who's Who, and eleven were inducted into Tau Beta Pi. James Lowes was recognized for being the outstanding senior in ChE. Steve Goble and Sid Stoffer received Rose Honor Keys. Finally, Jim Graham and Tom Dehne were honored for being the top men in their classes. To end the year, all this intelligence combined to create a memorable Fiji Isle, complete with a seemingly uncrossable rope bridge.
This year marked a turning point for the chapter. From the Notes, "In the Spring of 1970, the Immortal 15 graduated, and left the remaining members with an important task; that of seeking out the problems that come with inexperience and finding remedies for them. We do have problems, that we will not deny, but as a brotherhood we are solving these problems, and being brought closer together as we do. It is hoped that the chapter does have minor problems in the future, because a crisis will bring about brotherhood in men quicker than anything else. With the solutions to these problems will come the fellowship that we have experienced, and have made our association with Phi Gamma Delta as undergraduates a pleasant one."
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 - 1969 - 1970
During the summer of 1969 the long, slow process of transforming the house began. The Colony members trooped back weekend after weekend, and the work went fast. Among the notable events that occurred were the felling of a priceless, old, rotten, Twisted Hawthorne, and the simultaneous moon-landing by the US and owl-landing in the front yard, surely a good omen for things to come.
The chapter's installation was one of the good things about to happen. Permission was granted by the Rose faculty, IFC, administration, and also by Headquarters. At the same time, the chapter was working hard on its Homecoming float, and got Miss Kristie Van Allen elected to the Queen's court. The next weekend saw the first Fiji Olympics held on the practice football field, as well as numerous rush functions. Finally, the big weekend arrived.
The house was dedicated on November 20, and all guests were registered. On November 21, 39 men were pledged into Phi Gamma Delta. The following day, 31 men were initiated, all activities taking place at the Washington Avenue Presbyterian Church, followed by a gala chartering ball that evening at the Hulman Memorial Union. This weekend represented the culmination of a dream of 15 men, and certainly will never be forgotten by anyone involved with it (although the Purple Passion on Saturday night will dim some memories).
Of course, all during this time the chapter was working hard at rush, and this effort paid off on Bid Day, January 19, as 19 freshman were pledged, as well as Dr. Michael Breitmeyer, an associate professor at Rose.
These men were treated to an outstanding Retreat three weeks later, held at Spring Mill State Park. The opportunity to sit and talk to the Immortal 15 was extremely beneficial for the new pledges.
State Day rolled around pretty soon, and most of the brothers journeyed to Indianapolis for bowling, basketball, and bridge with Fijis from around Indiana. William S. Zerman was the invited speaker.
The second annual work day at Dobbs Park kicked off things in the Spring Quarter, and the chapter raised enough money raking leaves and doing other maintenance work to pay for new curtains and Greek letters for the house. The chapter also selected its new officers for the year. These were:
Steve Goble - President
Jim Graham - Treasurer
Loren Doyle - Recording Secretary
Tom Hendrickson - Corresponding Secretary
John Smith - Historian
The month of April was capped with the chapter's second Pig Dinner, held in the Hulman Union. Special guests in attendance were members of the Indiana State Delta Colony.
Of course, Fijis being what they are, many received honors during the year. The highlight was when brother Jim Graham was elected SGA Vice-President. The chapter itself was awarded the IFC scholarship trophy for the second year in a row. Eight brothers were elected into Who's Who, and eleven were inducted into Tau Beta Pi. James Lowes was recognized for being the outstanding senior in ChE. Steve Goble and Sid Stoffer received Rose Honor Keys. Finally, Jim Graham and Tom Dehne were honored for being the top men in their classes. To end the year, all this intelligence combined to create a memorable Fiji Isle, complete with a seemingly uncrossable rope bridge.
This year marked a turning point for the chapter. From the Notes, "In the Spring of 1970, the Immortal 15 graduated, and left the remaining members with an important task; that of seeking out the problems that come with inexperience and finding remedies for them. We do have problems, that we will not deny, but as a brotherhood we are solving these problems, and being brought closer together as we do. It is hoped that the chapter does have minor problems in the future, because a crisis will bring about brotherhood in men quicker than anything else. With the solutions to these problems will come the fellowship that we have experienced, and have made our association with Phi Gamma Delta as undergraduates a pleasant one."
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.
