From collection Phi Gamma Delta Documents Collection
The Owl that Roared: 1970-1971 Rho Phi Chapter History (Summary)
Two page summary of the academic year 1970-1971 for the Rho Phi Chapter at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology. The summary is part of a 10-year chapter history published in 1979 and edited by Paul Curtin (Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology 1980).
,Rho Phi Chapter History - 1970 - 1971
The summer preceding this school year again found Fiji's busy at work, this time turning the garage into a combination party room - chapter room. Also during the summer, the chapter was awarded third place in the Jordan Bowl at the Great Lakes Ekklesia.
This was the initial year the Greeks were allowed to make social contact with freshmen prior to Bid Monday, and Rho Phi was looking forward to its best rush ever. Scholarship was one of the chapter's strong points, borne out by the fact that the top men in their junior and senior classes were Jim Graham and Tom Dehne.
Homecoming was October 24, and it was the first real chance for Rho Phi to celebrate with its graduates. Our entries, Bev Day in the Queen competition, and a horse-drawn fire-wagon in the float competition, were not victorious, but definitely were crowd pleasers. The next weekend saw the second Fiji Olympics, this time held on the front lawn in front of a huge crowd of spectators. Events this year consisted of the Twine Tussle, Circus Plexus, Wiggle Wobble, Bag Bust, Flop and Hop, and the Egghead. Use your imagination. On November 13, the chapter was pleased to install the Greek letters on the front of the house, making it a full-fledged Fiji home.
Bid Monday came on December 14, and with it an early Christmas present of 17 new pledges. After the break concluded, the Rho Phi's were startled to learn that they now attended Rose-Hulman, the result of a nearly $15 million donation to the school from the Hulman Foundation. The annual retreat was again held at Spring Mill State Park, the highlight of the year being a talk by John Hodsden on the founding of Rho Phi.
On January 30, everyone rolled out of bed on a snowy Saturday morning to fold Goodwill bags. It proved well worth the effort, as the chapter folded over 25,000 bags in only three hours. Subsequent weeks saw a trade party with the newly colonized Alpha Chi Omegas, State Day, an installation party, and Purple Garter on March 20, as all brothers "raised their garters to higher glory!" Back to serious business, the chapter elected its new officers. They were:
Fred Franzwa - President
Greg Harbin - Treasurer
Miki Joy - Recording Secretary
Steve Thomas - Corresponding Secretary
Gary Bowman - Historian
Another large chapter project was crowned with success when Jim Graham was elected as Student Body President.
At the Spring Honors Convo, the Chapter was again awarded the IFC Scholarship Trophy, the seventh time in eight possible quarters the chapter copped the honor. Also, Tom Dehne, Steve Goble, and Jim Graham were elected to Who Who's.
The Annual pledge class Road Rallye turned out to quite interesting, as it included crossing the Wabash River by ferry. Also interesting was the route taken by Gary Bowman and company, who racked up 240 miles on a 109.5 mile course. April 16 was the night for a trade party with Alpha Sigma Alpha, the theme being a scavenger hunt. The following night was Pig Dinner, with Dr. Richard (Dirty Dick) Crowder as the featured speaker. The party afterwards lasted until 5:00 a.m., also with Dr. Crowder as the featured speaker.
The highlight of the spring quarter was Fiji Island, held at Isaac Walton Beach in West Terre Haute. Many brothers got wet twice during the weekend, as the rains fell Friday night and lakings were rampant Saturday. Brothers Franzwa, Goble, Sanders, Loo, and Nesbitt all took an impromptu swim. Next on tap was Greek Weekend, with the chapter finishing strong with a third in the bike race for fourth place overall. The Fijis were then rewarded with second place for their crooning in the songfest. Senior Tom Dehne was awarded the Heminway medal for being the top man in his class, being only the third man in the history of Rose to graduate with a perfect 4.00. All in all, the chapter came out well in its first year without the Immortal 15.
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 - 1970 - 1971
The summer preceding this school year again found Fiji's busy at work, this time turning the garage into a combination party room - chapter room. Also during the summer, the chapter was awarded third place in the Jordan Bowl at the Great Lakes Ekklesia.
This was the initial year the Greeks were allowed to make social contact with freshmen prior to Bid Monday, and Rho Phi was looking forward to its best rush ever. Scholarship was one of the chapter's strong points, borne out by the fact that the top men in their junior and senior classes were Jim Graham and Tom Dehne.
Homecoming was October 24, and it was the first real chance for Rho Phi to celebrate with its graduates. Our entries, Bev Day in the Queen competition, and a horse-drawn fire-wagon in the float competition, were not victorious, but definitely were crowd pleasers. The next weekend saw the second Fiji Olympics, this time held on the front lawn in front of a huge crowd of spectators. Events this year consisted of the Twine Tussle, Circus Plexus, Wiggle Wobble, Bag Bust, Flop and Hop, and the Egghead. Use your imagination. On November 13, the chapter was pleased to install the Greek letters on the front of the house, making it a full-fledged Fiji home.
Bid Monday came on December 14, and with it an early Christmas present of 17 new pledges. After the break concluded, the Rho Phi's were startled to learn that they now attended Rose-Hulman, the result of a nearly $15 million donation to the school from the Hulman Foundation. The annual retreat was again held at Spring Mill State Park, the highlight of the year being a talk by John Hodsden on the founding of Rho Phi.
On January 30, everyone rolled out of bed on a snowy Saturday morning to fold Goodwill bags. It proved well worth the effort, as the chapter folded over 25,000 bags in only three hours. Subsequent weeks saw a trade party with the newly colonized Alpha Chi Omegas, State Day, an installation party, and Purple Garter on March 20, as all brothers "raised their garters to higher glory!" Back to serious business, the chapter elected its new officers. They were:
Fred Franzwa - President
Greg Harbin - Treasurer
Miki Joy - Recording Secretary
Steve Thomas - Corresponding Secretary
Gary Bowman - Historian
Another large chapter project was crowned with success when Jim Graham was elected as Student Body President.
At the Spring Honors Convo, the Chapter was again awarded the IFC Scholarship Trophy, the seventh time in eight possible quarters the chapter copped the honor. Also, Tom Dehne, Steve Goble, and Jim Graham were elected to Who Who's.
The Annual pledge class Road Rallye turned out to quite interesting, as it included crossing the Wabash River by ferry. Also interesting was the route taken by Gary Bowman and company, who racked up 240 miles on a 109.5 mile course. April 16 was the night for a trade party with Alpha Sigma Alpha, the theme being a scavenger hunt. The following night was Pig Dinner, with Dr. Richard (Dirty Dick) Crowder as the featured speaker. The party afterwards lasted until 5:00 a.m., also with Dr. Crowder as the featured speaker.
The highlight of the spring quarter was Fiji Island, held at Isaac Walton Beach in West Terre Haute. Many brothers got wet twice during the weekend, as the rains fell Friday night and lakings were rampant Saturday. Brothers Franzwa, Goble, Sanders, Loo, and Nesbitt all took an impromptu swim. Next on tap was Greek Weekend, with the chapter finishing strong with a third in the bike race for fourth place overall. The Fijis were then rewarded with second place for their crooning in the songfest. Senior Tom Dehne was awarded the Heminway medal for being the top man in his class, being only the third man in the history of Rose to graduate with a perfect 4.00. All in all, the chapter came out well in its first year without the Immortal 15.
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.
