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The First 100 Years
of
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter
of
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
Chartered April 23, 1904 Installed May 10, 1904
4th
Edition, March 2014
Original research and material by:
Richard S. Pirrotta ’87 (Bond #1140) and Ronald L. Forrest ’88 (Bond #1125)
Editing and additional research and material by:
Thomas L. Smith ’54 (Bond #564)
1904 Charter of Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
1921 Campus Fraternities
Clockwise from bottom-right: Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, Alpha Zeta, Sigma Chi
Center: Phi Gamma Delta
Note: The text below was originally printed in the dinner program
for Pennsylvania Theta's Golden Anniversary celebration
October 16-17, 1954.
THE FOUNDER
Irving Lysander Foster
July 4, 1870 – June 1, 1929
Born in Washington, D.C. on the 4
th of July,
1870, Irving Lysander Foster was initiated into
Phi Delta Theta by the chapter at Brown
University (RI Alpha). He graduated from
Brown with the degree of Bachelor of Science,
class of 1893, and obtained his Master's degree
from Brown in 1894. Following a year devoted
to advanced studies in Germany, he came to The
Pennsylvania State College in 1895 as an
instructor in Romance Languages. In time, he
became Professor of Romance Languages and
was awarded the degree of Doctor of Literature
by Susquehanna University. He was also a
member of Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, and
Sigma Iota.
His name was Irving L. Foster, but to all of
"his boys," he was "Frenchy," a name bestowed
without any hint of disrespect. Rather, it was a
term of endearment, of love and friendliness for
a noble and sincere man, a man who loved God
and his fellow men.
Those whose great privilege it was to come
under his kindly supervision during the first
twenty-five years of the Pennsylvania Theta
chapter of Phi Delta Theta, when he served so
faithfully as Chapter Advisor, would never
forget him. They would never forget his ready
smile, the handgrip that was quick as a flash, or
his concern for their welfare and that of the
Chapter.
On May 10, 1929, on the Silver Anniversary
of the granting of Pennsylvania Theta's charter
and its first chapter initiations, a testimonial
dinner was planned in his honor at the chapter
house. A silver trophy was made ready and the
dinner was held, but "Frenchy" was unable to
attend because of illness. Three weeks later, he
was gone, but never to be forgotten as the man
whose memory is deeply cherished as –
THE FATHER OF
PENNSYLVANIA THETA
Irving Lysander "Frenchy" Foster
Born: July 4, 1870, Washington D.C. Died: June 1, 1929, State College PA
Father: Publius Darwin Foster Mother: Amanda Elizabeth Warren
Professional Credits —
Charter Member:
• The Literary Club (The Pennsylvania State
College)
• The University Club (The Pennsylvania State
College)
Member:
• Phi Delta Theta (RI Alpha Chapter, Brown
University)
• Phi Beta Kappa
• Phi Kappa Phi
• Phi Sigma Iota
• American Association of University Professors
• American Association of Teachers of Spanish
• American Association for the Advancement of
Science
• National Education Association
State and National Modern Languages Association
Published Texts:
• Foundations of French: Arranged for Beginners in
Preparatory Schools and Colleges (1901)
• A French Reader: Arranged for Beginners in
Preparatory Schools and Colleges (1903)
• Elementary French (1907
• Elementary French: The Essentials of French
Grammar with Exercises (1922)
World War I Military Service:
• Served as Educational Director and French
Instructor, Camp Hancock, GA
• Authored Practical French Conversation booklet
used extensively by American soldiers in World
War I
Sponsored Organizations:
• Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta,
The Pennsylvania State College
• Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA)
• The Cosmopolitan Club
Education and Academic Positions —
Brown University:
• Bachelor's Degree – 1893
• Graduate studies and French instructor –
1893-94
• Master's Degree – 1894
The Pennsylvania State College
• Instructor Romance Languages, 1895
• Assistant Professor
• Professor
• Department Head, Romance Languages
Susquehanna University
• Doctoral Degree, Literature – 1915
Community Service —
• Worked extensively on behalf of his church and
the YMCA
• Contributed 8.1 acres of land, along with
community leader John Laird Holmes, for use as
State College's first public park
The First 100 Years
of
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter
of
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
PROLOGUE: 1855 – 1900 In 1855, Penn State was founded as The Farmers'
High School of Pennsylvania in what would later,
in 1896, become the Borough of State College.
In 1874, the institution was renamed The
Pennsylvania State College, when the state
appropriated to it the income from the proceeds
of the Morrell Act's national land grants. Thus,
PSC became, along with Michigan State College,
one of the first two Land Grant institutions in the
United States.
1882
State College from “Main Building” Tower
This photo is from the collection of
Dr. E. H. Coleman, Sr., father of Brother
Ernest H. Coleman, Jr. ’53 (Bond #559)
College buildings on campus prior to 1900 were
Main Building [razed in 1929 and replaced by
the 1st “Old Main”], Mechanical Arts [later the
initial Main Engineering Building], Botanical
Laboratory [later, Old Botany and presently
(2004) the oldest campus building], Chemistry
and Physics Building [later Walker Laboratory
across Pollock Road from McAllister Hall],
Armory, Ladies Cottage, Schwab Auditorium,
Agricultural Experiment Station [next to present-
day (2004) Armsby Building], and Track House
[adjacent to original Beaver Field, which was
behind present-day Davey and Osmond
Laboratories (site of the earlier red-brick Walker
Laboratory) and across Pollock Road from the
present-day McAllister Building.]
At one time, freshman students were required to
promise not to join any secret fraternity, but Greek
life came to Penn State in 1872 when Delta Tau
Delta was formed. However, that chapter ran into
much faculty opposition, including Penn State
President Calder's opinion that fraternities were
"corrupting and mischievous," and it was forced to
disband after a short time.
Fraternities eventually came to stay, when
President George Washington Atherton, after
taking office in 1882, finally changed his mind
about fraternities, believing they had matured.
Urged by students to convince the trustees to
lift their ban, he replied, "Young men, I have
found that the best time to set a hen is when the
hen wants to be set."
1889
Phi Gamma Delta
In 1888, Phi Gamma Delta members resided in a
large, frame house facing Beaver Avenue at the
corner of Allen Street, with a tennis court in the
rear. The wrap-around porch afforded a magnificent
view of the very small Penn State campus.
[Note: In the 1930s, the Phi Gamma Delta structure
was moved to the rear of the property nearest to
Highland Avenue (now Alley) and rotated 90 to
face Allen Street instead of Beaver Avenue. It was
faced with stone and continues to be occupied
today (2004). The relocation was done to permit
construction of a new commercial building by
Harold Griffith, Sr., whose sons Harold "Sonny"
Griffith, Jr. '45 (Bond #421) and John Griffith '50
(Bond #501) would later become Phis at PA Theta.
From the late 1940s to the 1990S, the Griffith
Building was home to "Kaye's Korner," State
College's first convenience store.]
At the same time, the trustees also recognized a
pragmatic solution to Penn State's need for both
additional housing and additional social facilities,
and approved Atherton's January1888
recommendation that Phi Gamma Delta be
permitted to charter a fifteen-member chapter.
This was then followed by Beta Theta Pi in the
same year, QTV [a secret Latin-letter society,
which later became Phi Kappa Sigma] in 1890,
Sigma Chi, Kappa Sigma, and Sigma Alpha
Epsilon in 1892, and Phi Sigma Kappa in 1899.
1896
State College – Allen St. (center) and Pugh St.
(left), with “Frenchy” Foster’s home facing
Beaver Ave. at corner with Pugh St.
Beta Theta Pi had built its first chapter house in
1888 "almost out of town" in the 300 block of
East College Avenue. In 1895, they constructed
their second home – a stately, elegant, Victorian
structure – on campus [between the south end of
present-day (2004) Deike Building and just north
of Reber (Mechanical Engineering) Building].
1895 – Beta Theta Pi
A reestablished Delta Tau Delta chapter occupied
a house directly across Allen Street from Phi
Gamma Delta [later, the second location for the
State College Post Office and an even later site of
Schlow Memorial Library]. From the combination
of the fraternity's initials, its downtown location,
and its members' reputations, brothers of "DTD"
acquired the nickname "Downtown Drunks."
1901 – 1910 Several attempts prior to 1900 had been made to
establish a chapter of Phi Delta Theta, but all of
them failed. However, in September of 1902,
Brother Carl S. Forkum (PA Gamma, Washington
& Jefferson) transferred into the sophomore class
and the matter was again addressed.
Brother Phis on the Penn State faculty at that time
included Assistant Professor of Romance
Languages Irving L. "Frenchy" Foster (RI Alpha,
Brown '93), The Reverend C. T. Aikens (PA Beta,
Gettysburg '86), and Levi P. Wyman (ME Alpha,
Colby '86). They met with Brother Forkum, and
after much deliberation it was decided that Forkum
should begin recruiting young men suitable for
eventual membership in a new chapter of Phi Delta
Theta.
Many meetings were held in Frenchy Foster's
relatively modest home, built around 1890.
Referred to as “one of the residential boasts of
the town,” it was only slightly less magnificent
than either the 1877 home of Professor William
Buckhout, directly across Beaver Avenue, or
the 1880 home of Penn State physicist I. T.
"Thorny" Osmond, diagonally across the
intersection on the present-day (2004) site of
Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.
1959
Residence of Irving L. “Frenchy” Foster
[Note: In the late 1940s, the street-level floor
of Frenchy's home housed Harry "Peanuts"
Morrell's candy, peanuts, and popcorn
business and still later become Sally's
Sandwich Shop. Sally's employees can be
fondly remembered by members of all
fraternities of the 1950s, including hungry
Phis, as the deliverers of late-night
sandwiches and snacks. In the PA Theta
chapter house, they announced their presence
up through the open three-story stairwell
with a shrill cry of "Sal-lees." At that same
time, the basement of Frenchy's house was
occupied by The Cave, a working man's bar.
Frenchy's classic home was later demolished,
and the site is now (2004) occupied by State
College's Pugh Street municipal parking
garage.]
In February 1903, Brother John Dallas (PA Eta,
Lehigh '03), entered Penn State as a special
student in Mechanical Engineering and became
interested in the movement to establish a chapter
of Phi Delta Theta. On April 21, 1903, Dallas and
Forkum, along with nine already pledged men,
banded together as a society under the name of
Delta Chi Society and with an avowed purpose of
obtaining a charter from Phi Delta Theta.
A constitution defining the objects of the Delta
Chi Society was adopted on April 28, 1903, and
signed by the following eleven men:
• Class of 1904 – John Dallas (PA Eta, Lehigh),
Ralph W. Bowers, Thomas J. Bryson,
Norman G. Miller, and Paul O. Noble
• Class of 1905 – Leroy W. Cooper, Carl S.
Forkum (PA Gamma, W&J), and Robert G.
Lose
• Class of 1906 – Clyde E. Culp, H. B. Etter,
and William McCleary.
Raised in New York, Ohio, West Virginia,
Maryland, and Pennsylvania, they bought strong
academic desires, well developed social skills,
and the determination to create a long lasting
society that would last well beyond their
graduation from The Pennsylvania State College.
A ritual containing the secret work, opening and
closing ceremonies, and the order of proceedings
for the meetings was adopted on May 5, 1903.
During that same month, letters were written to
all seven Pennsylvania chapters of Phi Delta Theta,
requesting approval of Delta Chi as a new chapter
of Phi Delta Theta. Replies were favorable and the
petition for a Phi Delta Theta charter was signed
and submitted on June 16, 1903 by the original
eleven Delta Chi members.
Meetings were held in the Main Building [later,
Old Main] room of John Dallas and William
McCleary until October 7, 1903, when the
Delta Chi Society, with a three-year rental
contract, moved into a house at the corner of
Beaver Avenue and Frazier [now, Fraser]
Street.
1903
This house was owned by The Reverend C. T.
Aikens (PA Beta, Gettysburg '86), pastor of the
Lutheran Church in Pine Grove Mills (five
miles west of State College) and was across
Frazier Street from the Presbyterian Church
attended by "Frenchy" Foster. It was being
vacated by Sigma Alpha Epsilon (nicknamed
"Sleep and Eat" because of its initials, SAE),
which was moving to its new house directly
across Beaver Avenue from the Phi Gamma
Delta chapter house. Later, that SAE house
became the Allencrest Tea Room and was
eventually demolished to construct Danks
Department Store.
[Note: The initial PA Theta chapter house at
Beaver Avenue and Frazier Street (now, Fraser
Street) was later purchased by the State
College Presbyterian Church and razed in the
1980s to permit the construction of an on-grade
parking lot. In 2004, a municipal parking
garage was being designed to be built on that
lot and several adjacent properties on Beaver
Avenue and Fraser Street.]
Upon returning in the fall of 1903, the Delta Chi
brothers began work on obtaining their Phi Delta
Theta charter. Perley O. Ray (VT Alpha, '98) had
become a new member of the Penn State faculty
and, upon learning of Delta Chi's intention to
affiliate with Phi Delta Theta, he immediately
became involved in the chapter's activities. A
rush program was conducted and eight men were
pledged and initiated into Delta Chi. They were:
· Class of 1905 – H. R. Geib
· Class of 1906 – W. R. Fleming
· Class of 1907 – J. C. Cosgrove, W. G.
Felmeth, C. R. Garrett, J. S. Keller,
F. 0. Leitzell, and H. K. Dimelow
On November 26, 1903, at the Alpha Province
Convention in Syracuse, Delta Chi Society's
petition for a Phi Delta Theta charter received the
unanimous endorsement of the attending
delegates.
Two Delta Chi members left Penn State in
January 1904: J. S. Keller, to attend medical
school in New York City; and William
McCleary, to enter Lehigh University, where
he was initiated into Phi Delta Theta by PA
Eta on February 19, 1904.
On April 23, 1904, Delta Chi Society's petition
was submitted to the members of Phi Delta
Theta's General Council, who ratified it without
dissent, although 13 other petitions were denied
during the same session. On May 10, 1904,
sixteen members of the Delta Chi Society were
initiated as brothers of Pennsylvania Theta
Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. The
ceremony was conducted by Phi Delta Theta
General Council President A. M. McCrillis
(Brown '97), assisted by Irving L. "Frenchy"
Foster.
Those PA Theta charter members and their Bond
numbers were:
#1 Leroy Warrick Cooper '05
#2 Clyde Emanuel Culp '06
#3 Robert Graham Lose '05
#4 Ralph Waldo Bowers '04
#5 Norman Grunawalt Miller '04
#6 Thomas Junk Bryson '04
#7 Paul Olin Noble '04
#8 Charles Rudolph Garrett '07
#9 Wilhelm Gotthart Felmeth '07
#10 Howell Reiff Geib '05
#11 William Reynolds Fleming '06
#12 Frank Octave Leitzell '07
#13 John C. Cosgrove '07
#14 Harry Kempfield Dimelow '07
#15 Robert Morris Carson '06
#16 George J. Bailey '07
Three of the four Phis of the class of '04 graduated
with honors at The Pennsylvania State College's
spring commencement ceremonies.
On October 14, 1904, papers were filed in the Court
of Common Pleas, Bellefonte PA, for the
incorporation and perpetual existence of "The
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity." The initial corporate directors were
Irving L. Foster, C. T. Aikens, Perley O. Ray, Levi
P. Wyman, and Norman G. Miller
In addition to all the chapter's charter members,
other PA Theta Phis who signed the articles of
incorporation included Walter Y. Heaton ‘06 (Bond
#17), Howard P. Dawson ‘07 (Bond #18), Ralph J.
Smith ‘07 (Bond #19), Charles F. Hirst ‘08 (Bond
#20), Frank V. McConkey ‘08 (Bond #21), Durbin
L. Gray ‘08 (Bond #22), Bourdon W. Scribner ‘08
(Bond #23), Donald M. Scott ‘08 (Bond #24), and
Raymond P. Swenk ‘07 (Bond #25).
Carnegie Library was dedicated in November 1904
by Pennsylvania Governor Pennypacker, with Mrs.
Pennypacker, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Carnegie, and
Mr. and Mrs. Charles Schwab in attendance.
Intending to replace Penn State's existing two-room
library in Main Building, Penn State trustee
Andrew Carnegie had offered to provide $100,000
[approximately $2 million in 2004 dollars]for the
building if the Pennsylvania legislature agreed to an
annual appropriation of $10,000 [approximately
$100,000 in 2004 dollars] for all library expenses,
including maintenance and expansion of its
collections. This condition was not met, although
Carnegie contended "It is a duty which the state
owes to its bright young men who attend the college
of their own state, instead of going to other states
for their education."
President Atherton and General Beaver, then
respectively the secretary and president of Penn
State’s Board of Trustees, urged the General
Assembly to agree, but the legislature did not
want to be bound in perpetuity. It also believed
$10,000 was too much. Ultimately, Carnegie
accepted a $5,000 annual allocation.
[Note: Carnegie Library remained as Penn
State's library until the opening of Pattee Library
in 1941. It was then converted for use by the
Music Department. Later, it was used by the
School of Journalism, the Daily Collegian, and is
the present-day (2004) home of the College of
Communications.]
In 1904, McAllister Hall was opened as an
academic building and dormitory.
[Note: In 1915, McAllister Hall was
converted into a women's dormitory and still
later served as a staff office building and the
location of the University Park campus post
office, a State College post office substation.]
Eight men were pledged to PA Theta from the
1904 fall semester rush. Chapter enrollment then
stood at twenty-one. Phis were very involved in
school activities, including representation on the
football, baseball, basketball, and track teams
plus various clubs, including yearbook,
newspaper, thespians, and choir. Their school
spirit was also shown by strong participation in
Senior Ball and several informal dinners for
alumni and faculty.
Penn State, in a new and friendlier atmosphere
toward Greeks, concluded that it would serve its
own interests if some fraternities were located on
campus proper. As a result, on its Plat of
Fraternity Lots and Proposed Avenues, dated
September 23, 1904, Penn State designated seven
building lots on campus for fraternities.
1904 Plat of Fraternity Lots
and Proposed Avenues
The plat showed seven lots on the west side of what
is now North Burrowes Road), with three lots south
and four lots north of another what is now Pollock
Road. The plat also showed the locations of
“Library” (now Carnegie Building), “Auditorium”
(now Schwab Auditorium), and “Armory.”
Included is the location of Beta Theta Pi’s 1895
Victorian chapter house, across Burrowes Road
from its 1929 chapter house.
On December 15, 1905, Fraternity Lot #3 –
0.544 acres and measuring 148 feet (frontage)
by 160 feet (depth) – on Burrowes Road
[alongside then-unbuilt and unnamed Pollock
Road], was purchased from Penn State "for and
in consideration of the sum of one dollar" and
"for the express purpose of erecting thereon a
fraternity or chapter house for the use of the
members of The Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of
the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at the
Pennsylvania State College."
Penn State’s student enrollment for the 1905 fall
semester was 721, a slight increase over 1904.
In his submission to the 1906-07 issue of The Scroll
of Phi Delta Theta,” Brother Fleming wrote: “The
house occupies a beautiful spot on the campus, on a
street laid out by the college for the exclusive use of
fraternities.” Regarding Penn State’s right, as
written in the deed, to repurchase the lot if its use
by the fraternity ceased, he also stated: “This,
however, gives us no alarm, for the lot is situated
on a portion of the campus which will never be
needed for college buildings.”
The property deed was recorded in Centre County
Deed Book #95, Page 142.
[Note: Execution of the deed involved three Penn
State and State College personalities who, in later years, would be held in extremely high esteem.
• General James A. Beaver — The deed was
signed by General Beaver, for whom Penn
State's original Beaver Field – across Pollock
Road from present-day (2004) HUB-Robeson
Center – had already been named, and whose
name would carry over to both New Beaver
Field – adjacent to The Nittany Lion Inn – and
Beaver Stadium. Born in Bellefonte, General
Beaver had been governor of Pennsylvania from
1887 to 1891 and was President of Penn State’s Board of Trustees in 1905.
• George Washington Atherton — As board
secretary, the deed was attested to by
President Atherton. Within 10 days – by
Christmas – President Atherton resigned due
to poor health. He had been unable to perform
many of his duties during 1905 and he passed
away on July 24, 1906. General Beaver then
assumed the position of acting president until
Dr. Edwin E. Sparks, was elected president in
1908.
• John Laird Holmes — The deed was notarized
by John Laird Holmes. In 1889, Holmes had
been hired as State College's first public
school teacher. He later became a prominent
State College businessman, tax collector, real
estate developer, burgess (mayor),
Pennsylvania assemblyman (Representative),
and community leader.
In 1926, John Laird Holmes and "Frenchy"
Foster would donate 8.1 acres of land to the
Borough of State College for the creation of
Holmes-Foster Park, the town's first public park
and playground. The local weekly newspaper,
The Times, reported, "Mr. Holmes and Dr. Foster
felt the need of such a park some time ago and
laid plans to establish one. The extension is in
one of the prettiest groves in the vicinity of State
college, and supports a heavy growth of fine
oak." The conditions of the gift were that the park
should not be used for camping, nor should any
dance halls be established on or near it. Holmes-
Foster Park was officially opened on July 1,
1927, with a ceremony and a parade.]
Construction of the PA Theta chapter house was
started in the fall of 1905 and was completed in
1906. The main structure measured 45 feet by 58
feet and consisted of a full basement, three floors
above grade, and an attic. The kitchen wing, at
the southwest-rear-corner of the house, contained
a basement Commissary, a first-floor Kitchen, a
Pantry between the Kitchen and the Dining Room
(Social Room), and a comfortable second-floor
apartment for a live-in “servant” (cook). Access
to the apartment was by an interior stairway
between the Kitchen and the Pantry and over the
stairway to the Commissary.
In the bi-level basement of the main structure, the
house also had an unfinished room with a corner
fireplace plus a boiler room with a soft-coal-fired
steam boiler and coal bin. At the lowest level of the
basement, several steps further down, were two
more rooms, one designated as the Chapter Room
with a corner fireplace.
The chapter house cost close to $12,000
[approximately $240,000 in 2004 dollars] to build
and was designed to accommodate twenty
members. A mortgage of $5,000 [approximately
$95,000 in 2004 dollars], dated July 2, 1906, was
acquired to cover some of the construction costs.
The exterior was faced with red brick with
brown sandstone trimmings, and the main
structure had a twelve-foot-wide wrap-around
wood veranda (porch) on three sides with a
cover (roof) supported by 14 sets of either
double or triple columns placed on heavy
brown sandstone pedestals. The over-all design
of the house had been greatly influenced by the
family home of charter member Clyde Emanuel
Culp '06 in York Pa. The house was heated by
steam and lighted by electricity. As noted on
the design plans, the first floor of the house
contained a “Reception Hall” (Foyer), a
“Dining Room,” a combination “Library-
Smoking Room,” a “Music Room,” and a
“Parlor” [later known as the card room, the
Pete Stuart Room, and the pool room].
RECEPTION HALL
Looking from the Dining Room French doors
DINING (Social) ROOM
Looking from the Pantry
The Dining Room, or Social Room, ran the
length of the south side of the building with three
sets of French doors opening onto the covered
veranda.
All first floor rooms, except the Dining Room,
had a fireplace in their interior corners.
Two sets of folding French doors in recessed
pockets were in the wall between the Dining
Room and both the Reception Hall and the
Library-Smoking Room.
LIBRARY-SMOKING ROOM
Looking from the Dining Room French doors
MUSIC ROOM
Looking into Parlor (left) and into
Library-Smoking Room (right)
PARLOR
Looking from Reception Hall
The second and third floors each contained five
two-room suites. Each suite included a study
room and a bedroom and was intended to be
occupied by only two members. The study rooms
averaged almost 200 sq. ft. each, while the
bedrooms were slightly smaller.
The servant’s (cook’s) apartment had two small
(85 sq. ft.) rooms, each with a closet, plus a full
bathroom with tub. Although it wasn’t spacious,
it was a great employment benefit, and it was
well appreciated by each cook who occupied it
over the next 70 or so years.
A small "widow's walk" with a banister
railing and a flag pole graced the top of the
roof.
1906
[Note: At this time (1906), the present-day (2004)
site of West Halls to the northeast of the chapter
house was a fruit-tree orchard, planted 50 years
earlier by Professor of Horticulture William G.
Waring, the grandfather of Fred Waring of later
musical fame with his "Pennsylvanians" chorale
and orchestra.
There were only a few farm structures farther west
and northwest of the chapter house, including the
old college barn. The barn had been built on the
site of present-day Carnegie Building, but was later
moved to the approximate location of present-day
Noll Laboratory, just south of the Rec Hall
complex. The barn was designed by Frederick
Watts, who was elected as president of Penn State's
first board of trustees in 1855 when The Farmer's
High School was chartered.
After being damaged in a fire, the barn was rebuilt
at its new location toward the end of the 19th
century, but was demolished in the 1920s during
construction of Penn State's first golf course.]
During the fall of 1905, the Sigma Chi house in
town had a severe fire. Its alumni organization then
acquired Fraternity Lot #4, the next lot north of Pa
Theta’s and separated by space retained for a future
extension of Pollock Road, which then ended at
Burrowes Road. Sigma Chi built their new chapter
house on Lot #4, thus establishing "The Miami
Triad" – Phi Delta Theta, Beta Theta Pi, and Sigma
Chi – as close neighbors.
[Note: Around 1920, Alpha Zeta purchased
Fraternity Lots #6 and #7, the two smallest lots just
below Rec Hall. In 1925, Sigma Nu purchased Lot
#5.]
PA Theta housed 22 brothers and pledges in 1906,
tying with Kappa Sigma. With 24, Sigma Alpha
Epsilon had the most. All eight fraternities at Penn
State had houses, but only Phi Delta Theta, Beta
Theta Pi, Sigma Chi, and Phi Gamma Delta owned
their houses.
In December 1906, "Frenchy" Foster was among
the financial backers of the community's first
natural ice vendor, Hillside Ice Company, on the
Abe Markle farm in Scotia, an area less than 10
miles west of State College which, half a century
before, had provided the world's finest
phosphorous-free iron ore for Andrew Carnegie's
new Bessemer steel process.
[Note: Later, in 1913, "Frenchy" Foster sold
some of his extensive land holdings at the end of
North Patterson Street – the present-day (2004)
site of Nittany Beverage Company – for the
construction of Hillside's new manufactured-ice
plant. Hillside, later operating under the name of
Cold Inc., would continue ice production and
freezer rental services at the same site until the
late 1950s.]
A spring house-party started to become an annual
event in 1907. Members of Phi Delta Theta also
attended the Terpsichorean Club dance – under
Greek sponsorship – in McAllister Hall and were
consistently the best fraternity represented.
[Note: A fraternity “House Party” was defined as
being a dining and dancing weekend when the
brothers’ hometown girlfriends would be
“imported” and would stay in the chapter house
while the brothers found sleeping
accommodations elsewhere.]
In 1907, by order of the General Council of Phi
Delta Theta, PA Theta's original Bond book was
returned to headquarters to be eventually placed
in the vault of the Memorial Library of Miami
University, Oxford Ohio. A substitute Bond book
was prepared with a handwritten copy of "The
Bond of the Phi Delta Theta." All names of the
first 51 brothers of PA Theta were copied into the
new Bond book, which John Wolfe Lindley (OH
Alpha, 1850) as sole surviving founder of Phi
Delta Theta, had – on March 30, 1907 – attested
to its authenticity by his signature, and which
contained the following certification:
"This is to certify that the Bond of Phi Delta
Theta as transcribed in the following pages
of this book is an exact copy of the original
Bond, unaltered and unalterable, which
formed the basis of union of the original
chapter, Ohio Alpha, and of all chapters
subsequently established."
Paul Brown Cosgrove (PA Eta, Lehigh), brother
of charter member John C. Cosgrove, Sr.,
transferred to Penn State and affiliated with PA
Theta.
1908 -- Phi Delta Theta and Sigma Chi
[The activity was a horse show and/or sale on the
present-day (2004) site of Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji)]
Penn State’s student enrollment for the 1908 fall
semester was 1,098, a slight increase over 1907.
On September 25, 1908, Howard J. Lamade '12 was
initiated as a brother of PA Theta (Bond #55).
[Note: Brother Lamade, a native of Williamsport
PA, was the son of Dietrick Lamade, the founder of
Grit, which billed itself as "America's Greatest
Family Newspaper" and was published for over
100 years. During Howard's business career with
Grit, he was very active in Williamsport's civic
affairs and made major contributions to his favorite
organizations. In 2004, Howard J. Lamade Stadium
(the prime Little League stadium in South
Williamsport), Lamade Gymnasium (at Lycoming
College), and the Howard J. Lamade
Communications Scholarship (at Penn State) all
carry his name.]
In the fall of 1909, Beaver Field [Penn State’s
original athletic field between present-day
Whitmore Lab and South Frear Building] was
abandoned and "New Beaver Field" (for football
and track and field) was opened on a site just east
of The Nittany Lion Inn [the site of present-day
Nittany Parking Deck]. Eventually, the 17 acre
complex bordered by The Nittany Lion Inn (west),
Park Avenue (north), Allen Road (east), and Curtin
Road (south) held the football and baseball fields, a
quarter-mile cinder track, tennis courts, soccer
field, and lacrosse field. An outdoor swimming
pool was also built, doubling as an ice hockey rink
in the winter.
1911 – 1920
1910 - Western Portion of Campus
[As depicted in a “bird’s-eye-view” watercolor
by artist Richard Rummell]
By this time, the fraternity community at Penn
State had grown to nine nationals, three locals,
and three scientific societies. Industrial
Engineering was added to the curriculum, making
Penn State the founder of this branch of
engineering.
1910
The university continued to grow as it entered the
second decade of the 20th Century. Over 1500
students were enrolled in the fall of 1910.
Attendance had doubled at Penn State since the
chartering of PA Theta, only six years before.
The faculty had increased, and in this manner,
Hugh Baker (MI Beta, '01, Michigan Agricultural
College) [later Michigan State College and then
Michigan State University] joined the school as
the head of the Forestry Department in 1911.
While football continued to be the main athletic
attraction, other sports were performing well.
Wrestling became an inter-collegiate sport at Penn
State in 1910. Phis held positions on the football,
basketball, and track teams, and the baseball team
had a tremendous year. As Victor Egbert '12 (Bond
#58) reported in PA Theta's newly published
alumni newsletter, "In spite of the fact that the
number of cripples on the team was large, victories
were gained over Cornell, Navy, Lehigh, Fordham,
and Bucknell."
By 1913, Greek representation at Penn State had
increased to 16 national fraternities. Campus
buildings and facilities were being added, including
a wireless telegraph tower, and the President's
house was relocated to be near Carnegie Library.
Pennsylvania Day [probably the precursor to
Homecoming] continued to be a festive occasion,
giving rise to annual parties at PA Theta.
The brothers were also busy maintaining their new
house. Chandeliers replaced single-globe lights on
the first-floor, hedges were planted around the
veranda (porch), and china embossed with the Phi
Delta Theta crest was purchased for use on special
occasions.
1913 “House Party”
PA Theta Phis were well represented within the
Penn State community beyond athletics.
Activities and clubs consisted of La Vie, student
council, glee club, Pharsonians, Parmi Nous
athletic society, Thespians, and Lion's Paw senior
society, of which Louie Cuthbert '11 (Bond #68)
was a member.
In 1915, Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) constructed its
present-day (2004) house at the corner of
Burrowes Road and Pollock Road, diagonally
across the intersection from PA Theta.
[Note: How the property, not included in the
1904 Plat of Fraternity Lots, was obtained is not
known, but it may have been at the urging and the
influence of Fiji Brother Hummel Fishburn (then
professor, later Blue Band director).]
World War I came to Penn State with Congress's
passage of the National Defense Act of 1916 and
the establishment of a Reserve Officer Training
Corps (ROTC) on campus. Even though the war
had been raging in Europe since 1914, the U.S.
had attempted to stay neutral. However, a series
of attacks on merchant ships slowly forced the
hand of President Woodrow Wilson, and the
United States entered the war in April 1917.
Following creation of the Student Army Training
Corps (SATC), under which every physically
qualified male college student nationwide was
enrolled, all fraternities at Penn State were
converted to barracks to house them. Several PA
Theta Phis lost their lives in WWI; Kirby
Baldwin Sleppy '11 (Bond #54), Percy McGrew
Gerwig '20 (Bond #141), and Harry Banks
Mauger '20 (Bond #131).
A walk-in shower was installed in Pa Theta’s
second floor bathroom, replacing the single
bathtub, which had been used by 20 or more
students ever since 1906.
On January 12, 1918, H. L. "Pete" Stuart '20 was
initiated (Bond #152), and on September 30,
1918, Frederick Boyer Huston '22 was initiated
(Bond #159).
On November 23, 1918, twelve days after World
War I armistice was signed, a tremendous fire
destroyed Main Engineering Building and the
adjacent power plant. Built in 1892 and dedicated
in 1893, the architecturally impressive
engineering structure was one of Penn State's most
important academic buildings, housing classrooms
and laboratories for hundreds of students.
Main Engineering Building Fire
November 25, 1918
Penn State's fire brigade – the Student Fire
Company was the first to arrive to fight the fire, but
it was a hopeless task. The Student Fire Company
was joined shortly by State College's Alpha Fire
Company and other fire fighters from as far away
as Tyrone (30 miles), who helped fight the roaring
inferno. Together, they saved all other nearby
buildings, but the campus lost its source of heat and
electric power for days, and classes were canceled
until those utilities could be restored. However,
valuable laboratory equipment and many
classrooms were permanently lost.
Students sitting in front of Old Main
In 1920, the chapter newsletter, The Quarterly, was
formed to be published four times each year, and
regular submissions of chapter news were made for
inclusion in issues of The Scroll, the general
fraternity's magazine.
On November 23, 1920, J. Calvin “Hap” Frank ’24
was initiated (Bond #181). On November 23, 1920,
J. Calvin “Hap” Frank ’24 was initiated (Bond
#181).
[Note: Of unique interest is Brother Hap’s
participation on the scholastic football team for
Harrisburg Tech in 1919. After a 12-0 season, in
which the team outscored its opponents by a
cumulative score of 701-0, Tech beat Portland
ME 56-0 in a post-season game and claimed the
national scholastic championship. Hap was the
starting tackle, as he had been in 1917 and 1918
when Tech’s records were almost as illustrious
as1919. On that same team was Glenn Killinger,
a 125 lb. quarterback who became a 1921 Walter
Camp All-American at Penn State after joining
the football team as a walk-on.
Hap was outstanding as a Penn State football
tackle during two undefeated seasons and played
in Penn State’s first Rose Bowl appearance (Jan.
1, 1923), a 14-3 loss to USC. He also excelled as
a boxer and lacrosse player.
After graduating from Penn State, Hap had an
outstanding military career, where he rose to the
rank of Brigadier General in the U. S. Army and
served admirably in the Asian Theatre of
Operations during World War II.
In 1965, after renovations of the PA Theta
chapter house were completed, the new trophy
case in the foyer was dedicated to Brother J.
Calvin “Hap” Frank, and an appropriate brass
plate was affixed it.]
1921 – 1930 By the early part of the 1920s, 47 fraternities had
been chartered and recognized by Penn State, and
almost half of all male students were Greeks,
including the vast majority of campus leaders.
Throughout “Prohibition,” when production and
selling of alcohol was illegal, the PA Theta Phi
Delts responded with closed parties in the
basement’s coal room. There, the brothers would
reminisce, while consuming home-made alcohol.
1922
Dean of Men A. R. Warnock was concerned about
the attitude exhibited by many fraternities and
wrote, "Their scholarship is not so good, their
chapter management is not so good, and their
attitude toward serious things has been
characterized too greatly by indifference." He felt
that many Greeks were "of the type that has no
sustained interest in the better things of college
life" and had an adverse effect on brothers who
took their studies more seriously.
1922 “Fraternity Row”
Phi Delta Theta, Sigma Chi, Alpha Zeta
In support of Dean Warnock's opinion of Greek
fraternities, there was ample evidence of
misconduct during house-party weekends, a
decades-old custom of "importing" home-town girl
friends in lieu of sufficient numbers of Penn State
female students to date. Incidents with varying
degrees of drunkenness, rowdiness, and sexual
indiscretions were sufficiently frequent enough to
introduce greater controls by the Interfraternity
Council (IFC). Also during this same time, the
Penn State board of trustees, in an effort to
diminish its perception that male students were
"girl crazy" – Dean Warnock's words – all
undergraduates were prohibited from having
automobiles, except in certain situations.
1923
[Front-center is John C. “Windy” Cosgrove, Sr.
Seated on the ground in front of him is
John C. “Jack” Cosgrove, Jr., age 6.
Top row, 6th standing person from right is
Irving L. “Frenchy” Foster.]
On February 28, 1925, Ralph D. "Cub" Huston
was initiated (Bond #226).
In 1926, John Laird Holmes and Irving L.
"Frenchy" Foster donated 8.1 acres of land to the
Borough of State College for the creation of
Holmes-Foster Park, the town's first public park
and playground.
By this time, fraternity representation at Penn
State had increased to 52 national organizations,
the second largest number of Greeks after
University of Illinois.
In 1928, extensive work was performed on the
PA Theta physical plant. A three-story (plus
basement) wing was added at the northwestern
corner containing the following much appreciated
amenities on each of the two upper floors: two
small two-man suites (bedroom and study room);
bathroom with multiple toilets and lavatory sinks
and a walk-in shower; and a utility closet for
cleaning supplies
The first floor included: coat room, ladies’ rest
room, men’s rest room, and guest bedroom. The
basement of the new wing was used for storage, but
was also used temporarily as a chapter room, while
work was being done on the original chapter room.
The wall separating the chapter room and the
adjacent storage room in the basement was
removed to create a larger chapter room, necessary
because of the increased membership of PA Theta.
To improve the appearance of the temporary
chapter room, a large Phi Delta Theta crest was
painted on the floor, thus giving it a name – the
Crest Room – used for many decades afterward.
[Note: Unfortunately for the integrity of the
original structure, the removed chapter room wall
had been a load-bearing wall. As a result of this
removal, over the next 80 or so years, the structure
and floors over that area (between the living room
and the dining room) gradually sagged, eventually
creating some very noticeable out-of-level floors
and ceilings from the first-floor to the third-floor.]
1928
At the same time, the middle of PA Theta's wooden
front veranda (porch) was removed, and a two-story
portico with stately and distinctive Corinthian
columns was added. The design gave the house a
more dramatic and majestic appearance, even
though it clashed somewhat with the remaining
portions of the original veranda, which was really
nothing more than a wooden porch.
The wall between the Library-Smoking Room and
the Music Room was removed to form a large
living room and the two corner fireplaces were
merged into a single fireplace in the middle of the
room. A brass plaque with the following inscription
was placed over the fireplace mantle:
ΦΔΘ
Founded at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio
December 26, 1848
By Robert Morrison, John McMillan Wilson,
Robert Thompson Drake, John Wolfe Lindley,
Andrew Watts Rogers, Ardivan Walker Rogers
To you we throw the torch, be yours to hold it
high
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter installed at
Pennsylvania State College May 10, 1904
EiV avnp oudeiV avnp
We enjoy life by the help and society of others
The true member of Phi Delta Theta
exemplifies the Bond
In friendship sincere; as a brother devoted; in
honor aspiring to the noblest culture; with
conduct unblemished; revering God.
All for one, one for all.
The $5,000 mortgage from 1906 was satisfied on
May 23, 1929.
To pay for the 1928 construction and renovations,
a $10,000 [$108,000 in 2004 dollars] mortgage
was acquired on June 15, 1929, and $19,000
[$206,000 in 2004 dollars] worth of bonds – to
be retired over the next 20 years – were sold to
PA Theta alumni.
1928
In 1929, Beta Theta Pi relinquished its property
on campus in exchange for Fraternity Lots #1 and
#2, directly across Burrowes Road from its 1895
chapter house. Lot #2 was reduced by 42 feet of
frontage at its northern end, adjacent to PA
Theta's property (Lot #3), that section of land
being retained by Penn State for passage to its
facilities west of both the Beta and Phi Delt
houses.
At a general construction cost (not including
mechanical systems) of $125,000 [$1,340,000
in 2004 dollars], Beta Theta Pi's third chapter
house at Penn State was built with classic
English manor styling, including lead-glazed
windows. It continues to this day to be one of
the finest examples of fraternity architecture in
the United States.
The School of Mines and Metallurgy, had
languished since its establishment in 1907, and
Robert Sackett, Dean of the School of Engineering,
wanted to dissolve the school, dividing its curricula
between the engineering and chemistry-physics
schools. President Ralph Dorn Hetzel rejected that
suggestion and appointed Edward Steidle, PA Theta
'11 (Bond #46), as its new dean. Dean Steidle, a
Williamsport PA native, came from Carnegie
Institute of Technology, where he had reorganized
the mining engineering curriculum, created
research programs, and encouraged mining
education support by private mining industries.
Eventually, Dean Steidle's reinvigoration of the
school led to studies beyond that of mining,
including obtaining important grants for research in
the fields of petroleum and natural gas. His efforts
ultimately induced the Pennsylvania General
Assembly to permit the Pennsylvania Secretary of
Mines to serve as an ex officio Penn State trustee.
At this time, PA Theta alumni corporation officers
were President John C. “Windy” Cosgrove, Sr. '07
(Bond #13), Vice President Al R. Knoch '30 (Bond
#252), Secretary Archibald M. Holmes '30 (Bond
#249), Treasurer D. M. Bulloch, and Director
Donald M. Cresswell '18 (Bond #116).
Brother Carl S. Forkum (PA Gamma, Washington
& Jefferson), who was instrumental in the founding
of PA Theta, made several visits to the chapter
during Freshman Week, accompanied by his
daughter, Adelle, who was registering for the class
of '33.
On May 24, 1929, a testimonial dinner was held at
the chapter house to honor Irving L. "Frenchy"
Foster or, as recounted in the next issue of The
Quarterly, "the Grand Old Man of Penn'a Theta.”
The Quarterly reported that he had taken ill
"following an attack brought about by kidney
trouble" shortly before that and was unable to
attend the dinner.
In appreciation of his untiring service and
commemorating Frenchy's 25 years as PA Theta's
faithful and only chapter advisor since its
founding, the chapter had prepared a silver trophy
cup with the following inscription:
Bro Irving L. Foster
from Penna. Θ of ΦΔΘ
in appreciation of
25 years of faithful service
as counselor and advisor
May 24, 1904 to May 24, 1929.
Frenchy was thought to be improving but,
tragically for PA Theta, Penn State, and the State
College community, the end came suddenly and
Frenchy passed away on June 1, 1929, only eight
days after the dinner held to honor him.
Following Frenchy's death, the July 1929
issue of the Penn State Alumni News said of
him, "One of the oldest members of the
faculty in point of service, Dr. Foster had
been ill little more than a week. His service to
the College extended over a period of 34
years. While serious, his illness was not
thought to be critical, and death quickly
followed his collapse following exertion.
Burial was at Pine Hall [a village one mile
west of State College]. Known familiarly to
all his former students and associates as
'Frenchy,' Dr. Foster through his years of
service was held in high regard throughout
the entire College community. His activities
extended far beyond the classroom,
especially in the field of religion. His church
and 'Y' work have had a most wholesome
effect upon the community."
The silver trophy cup was presented to Frenchy's
widow, but during the summer of 1929 – and as
related in the next issue of The Quarterly – "Mrs.
Foster graciously returned the cup to the chapter
and it now occupies the place of honor on the
living room mantel, beneath a picture of 'The
Father of Penn'a Theta.' "
In 1929, Main Building was determined to be
unfit for continued use. It was demolished and its
replacement – Old Main, finished in 1930 – was
designed to use the original stone. This was part of
a four-year building program, begun in 1928, that
included the following (in chronological order):
Service Building, Recreation Building [Rec Hall],
Infirmary, Main Engineering, Grange Dormitory,
an addition to Pond Laboratory, the new Old Main,
Mineral Industries, Power Plant, Botany, Frear
Dorm [now, Jordan], North Liberal Arts, Nittany
Lion Inn, Dairy and Creamery, and Home
Economics at a cost of $5.5 million [$60 million in
2004 dollars].
The football game with Lafayette College, on
October 26, 1929, was the prime event for Penn
State's 10th Annual Homecoming weekend and,
according to The Quarterly, chances for winning
the game were regarded to be "most excellent." The
newsletter also encouraged returning alumni to visit
the many new buildings; Recreation Hall,
Infirmary, new dorms, Engineering, Chemistry,
Botany, Liberal Arts, and Mineral Industries.
Additionally, it commented that "everyone will
want to see Old Main, or where Old Main formerly
stood, for it is down to an open excavation now
while contractors are busy pouring new
foundations for the reconstruction."
Pat B. ("Young Windy") Cosgrove, son of
charter member John C. ("Windy") Cosgrove,
Sr., was initiated into PA Theta on November
25, 1929 (Bond #280).
1930 Map of campus; Watercolor by
Andrew W. Case, Penn State Professor of Art
1931 – 1940 Early PA Theta member, Clyde Emanuel Orwig
(Bond #30), was expelled on February 27, 1931, for
unknown reasons.
Carson Williams Culp '34, the eldest son of
charter member Clyde Emanuel Culp, was
initiated on February 28, 1931 (Bond #294).
Clyde Culp, Jr. '38, third oldest son of Clyde
Emanuel Culp, was initiated on October 37, 1936
(Bond #354). Thomas Culp '42, youngest son of
Clyde Emanuel Culp, was initiated on March 5,
1939 (Bond #387). Richard Culp, another Phi
son, was initiated by MD Alpha, University of
Maryland.
John Dallas, Jr. '35 (Bond #304) and Robert
Dallas '37 (Bond #326), sons of charter member
John Dallas, were initiated on February 27, 1932
and March 10, 1934 respectively.
Sometime in the early 1930s, the original
"widow's walk" was removed from the roof of the
chapter house, and the roof was lowered,
allowing a larger "widow's walk" to be
constructed. The "Penthouse" was established in
the fourth-floor attic as primitive living quarters.
The stock market crash of 1929 had caused the
Great Depression to set in, causing enrollment at
Penn State – and, correspondingly, membership
in fraternities – to drop significantly.
In contrast to PA Theta's policy of being a self-
enacted "dry house," most fraternities served
liberal amounts of alcohol, but were punished for
only the most blatant violations of school policy.
In 1931, Penn State policy was changed to permit
sophomore, junior, and senior coeds to attend
unchaperoned fraternity social events on Fridays
and Saturdays. Curfew was 10:00 p.m. for
sophomore and junior women and 10:30 p.m. for
seniors. However, following frequent abuses of
this "privilege," Dean Warnock requested action
by IFC. When IFC failed to do so, Dean Warnock
tightened the official Penn State policy to allow
women in fraternities only at meal times and for a
maximum of only two hours.
Twice in the 1930s, "freshman customs" were
eased. By 1937, it was no longer mandatory for
all men to wear coats, ties, and black socks while
in class, and after Thanksgiving they were
permitted to date coeds. Nevertheless, many
traditions continued to be mandated including;
wearing green dinks (a small, short-billed cap) by
men and hair bows by women; carrying the
"Freshman Handbook" (containing all the College's
rules, songs, traditions, etc.) at all times; entering
campus buildings only through front doors; never
stepping on any campus grass; never walking on
"Senior Walk" (the College Avenue sidewalk
directly in front of Old Main); and wearing large,
identification cards on neck-strings with the
freshman's name, home town, and major course of
study in large letters.
[Note: Many of these freshman customs actually
continued well into the 1960s.]
Charlotte Ray, approved new Women's Student
Government Association policies, permitting coeds
to attend college-approved functions until 1:00 a.m.
on weekends. Her bans on smoking and drinking
alcohol remained, but both of these were commonly
ignored.
Vance O. Packard ’36 was initiated by PA Theta
(Bond #321) on March 25, 1933.
[Note: The Packard family moved to State College
in 1923, when Vance's father took a job as a
farmhand at Penn State. As the son of an employee,
the tuition discount made possible an otherwise
unaffordable college education for Vance. The
family lived in a house on Shortlidge Road, at the
present-day (2004) site of Eisenhower Auditorium.]
Even though "Prohibition," the federal ban on
alcohol, had been repealed in 1933, PA Theta
stayed essentially – and voluntarily – "dry" during
the 1930s. Individual members might have had a
bottle stashed in their desks, but no alcohol was
served at chapter functions.
1935 Campus
John C. “Jack” Cosgrove, Jr. ‘38, was initiated
into PA Theta on February 24, 1935, (Bond
#340). His father, charter member John C.
Cosgrove, Sr. ‘07, was elected to serve on the
Penn State Board of Trustees.
In the spring of 1936, Vance Packard graduated
from Penn State with a degree in English. He
served on the Collegian and La Vie staffs, was a
member of Friars, and had participated in track
and cross country. [Note: His first job after
graduation was as a $15 per week reporter for
the State College newspaper, The Centre Daily
Times. Vance later wrote for Associated Press,
Boston Daily Record, American magazine, and
Collier’s magazine. He also authored many
popular and best-seller books.]
1936
Class of ’40 Phikeias, including
John P. Stevens, Jr. (Bond #361)
[Pen and ink sketch of PA Theta
chapter house by artist Philip Steel]
In the second half of the 1930s, monthly house
bills averaged $60 to $65 [$665 to $720 in 2004
dollars] and included three meals every day of
the week. At mealtime, food was served family
style, with a senior at the head of each table. He
was responsible for keeping order and enforcing
the practice of good table manners. A Phikeia sat
at the foot of each table with the responsibilities
of pouring beverages for all others.
All chapter finances were handled by the
brothers. Dean of Mineral Industries, Edward
Steidle ‘11, was chapter advisor, and the
house treasurer was required to take the
chapter books to his office every month,
where he would verify they had been kept
accurately.
Paddles were much in evidence and were used
liberally on PA Theta’s Phikeias as penalties
for failures to properly perform duties, and –
according to the Phikeias – they were also used
sometimes for no reason at all.
1937
Freshman Phikeias were permitted to move into the
chapter house after only two weeks of school and
were immediately assigned a variety of chores and
duties, from waiting table or washing dishes
(although some brothers also did both of those) to
cleaning bathrooms (considered to be the worst
assignment) and other common areas of the house.
Additional assigned duties included “wake up call”
each morning for brothers at the times posted on
their hallway doors, and failure to wake a brother at
his designated time usually resulted in the
assignment of additional household chores.
Phikeia on Eagle Patrol
Phikeias at this time had to go through a pre-
initiation “training period” – commonly known as
Hell Week, which started when the “Eagle” had
arrived and “shit.” For a week or so before Hell
Week, Phikeias were assigned to Eagle Patrol each
evening. That consisted of patrolling back and
forth on the porch, armed with a toilet brush and
bucket in an attempt to prevent the Eagle from
arriving. Needless to say, the Phikeias were never
successful, despite their diligent efforts.
When this practice started at PA Theta is
unknown, but it became better organized in the
early 1930s. Some of the more distasteful antics
of Hell Week – from a Phikeia’s point of view
– included:
• Very little sleep, which was considered to be
the most fatiguing feature of the week
• Wearing underwear made from potato sacks
• Announcing his entrance into the chapter
house by lying on his back with his head in
the foyer fireplace and shouting his special
Hell Week name – such as, “I am Yellow
Dog #4” – followed by a litany of phrases as
dictated by the brothers
• Being subjected to a mild shock – produced
by a hand-cranked generator – while standing
naked in a pan of water [Note: This practice
was abandoned in 1935.]
• Out-of-house assignments, such as finding
the birth date of a person buried in Boalsburg
or counting the windows in Mac Hall
1938 Campus
Many effects of the Great Depression remained,
but, with convenient housing on campus plus
good food, PA Theta had no difficulty
maintaining a full house. Standard occupancy of
the chapter house included members or pledges
from four different class years.
PA Theta was very successful in intramural
athletics and was awarded permanent ownership
of two Hugo Bezdek Trophies.
[Note: Hugo Bezdek was Penn State's first Director
of the School of Physical Education and Athletics,
innovator of Penn State intramural athletics,
pacesetter in the development of athletic activities
for female students, and coach of the Nittany Lion
football teams from 1918 to 1929, including the
1923 team Rose Bowl team . The highly coveted
Bezdek Trophy was awarded each year to the
organization with greatest participation in or
contribution to Penn State intramural and varsity
sports. In 1937, it was renamed the Penn State
College Trophy.]
Members of PA Theta entertained its sister sorority,
Delta Gamma, at an informal tea dance the
afternoon of Sunday, March 20, 1938. The music
for this affair was furnished by the chapter's new
combination radio-Victrola.
1938
[Front-center is John C. “Jack” Cosgrove, Jr.,
Active Chapter President]
H. Edward Wagner '41 (Bond #375) was elected
PA Theta chapter president. He also served on both
the Penn State student government All-College
Cabinet and the Student Union Board, chaired the
IFC and Regional IFC, was assistant manager of
both football and track, and was elected to Lion's
Paw, Skull and Bones, Blue Key, Phi Beta Kappa,
Phi Eta Sigma, Delta Sigma Pi, and Pi Gamma Mu
honorary societies.
The Class of 1940 voted a Nittany Lion sculpture as
its class gift.
In 1940, the new library at the north end of the
main mall, replacing Carnegie Library, was
occupied. It remained without a name until 1950,
when it was named for Fred Lewis Pattee.
1941 – 1950
Phi Delta Theta continued to be well represented on
campus in the 1940s. Charles Mattern. '42 (Bond
#391) was president of Skull and Bones senior
honor society, John "Jack" Banbury '44 (Bond
#423) was the starting halfback on the football
team, and Charles Ridenour '43 (Bond #401) was
a leader on Penn State's wrestling team in
addition to being Eastern Intercollegiate
Wrestling Association champion in 1942 (121
lb.) and 1943 (128 lb.).
Spring 1941
The Nittany Lion Shrine was dedicated on
October 24, 1942, as part of homecoming events.
Sculptor Heinz Warneke and stonecutter Joseph
Garatti created it onsite from a 13-ton block of
Indiana limestone.
1942
In 1942, The Sword and Shield became the twice-
yearly successor to The Quarterly, PA Theta's
alumni newsletter.
On February 22, 1942, initiation into PA Theta
included Henry L. Yeagley '44 (Bond #414) and
Raymond T. Fortunato '45 (Bond #418).
The World War II draft and enlistments reduced
enrollments at all colleges as young men were
called to service, and by fall 1943, Penn State's
regular enrollment consisted of only 1,764 women
and 1,150 men.
The empty classroom seats were then filled with
trainees in several programs for the War
Department: V-12 program for the U. S. Navy and
Marine Corps; flight crew training program for the
U. S. Army Air Corps; and U. S. Army Specialized
Training Program (ASTP).
All fraternity chapter houses at Penn State were
turned over to the U. S. Armed Forces in 1943 to
serve as living quarters for soldiers and sailors
taking courses relating to the war effort. PA Theta’s
chapter house was assigned to students in the U. S.
Navy's V-12 training program, and the Phis
remaining at that time first moved into a residential
house in March of 1944 at 137 South Atherton
Street, adjacent to the present-day (2004) Atherton
Hotel.
1944
Standing in front of 137 S. Atherton St., PA Theta’s
first war-time chapter house are: (L-R) Charles
Hall ’45 (Bond #417), Donald Herzog ’46 (Bond
#439), Robert Scheirer ’44 (Bond #407), Walter
Shaffer ’47 (Bond #462), Ross Fife ’46 (Bond #443)
in active duty U. S. Navy uniform, (unidentified
coed), and John “Jack” Davenport ’45 (Bond
#447).
Other Phis occupying the house were Robert
Hastedt ’45 (Bond #416), Gilbert Parnell ’46
(Bond #461), Dean McCoid ’46 & ‘50 (Bond
#460), Charles Scarborough ’44 (Bond #431).
Later temporary chapter houses were at 301 S.
Allen St, where Phi Delta Theta brothers shared the
“Cody Manor” rooming house with Phi Sigma
Kappa brothers for the summer and fall semesters
of 1944. In late 1944, housing was shared with
Delta Chi. It is unknown if this was in the chapter
house owned by Delta Chi on Fairmount Avenue
or, most likely, a temporary war-time ΔΧ chapter
house at an unknown address. Regardless of that,
the January 1945 chapter meeting minutes state,
“After six weeks of rather frigid living, the
chapter decided that the ΔΧ was unfit for anyone
but Eskimos, and it was decided to move to 129 S.
Frazier [now, Fraser] St., a house owned by the
Hotel State College.” This building, a converted
residence on the site of present-day (2004) Fraser
Street Parking Garage, is the last known war-time
chapter house for PA Theta.
The military programs were a boon to Penn
State during the lean war years. At their peak
in 1943, the programs had an enrollment of
2,600 students, which, along with the regular
student population, brought total enrollment
to 5,700 students. Because all fraternities had
been taken for military usage, the resulting
housing shortage necessitated curtailment of
new student admissions, forcing male
freshmen to enroll for at least one year at
many of Pennsylvania's State Teacher's
Colleges.
Occupancy by the V-12 program provided one
substantial benefit to the PA Theta chapter house.
In compliance with its own housing regulations,
the United States Government constructed the
steel exterior fire escape between the two rear
wings, a significant benefit to PA Theta from
both safety and monetary viewpoints.
1944 ΑΤΩ “Barracks”
In addition to the military trainees, Penn State
had contracts with the Curtiss-Wright
Corporation, Hamilton-Standard Propeller
Division of the United Aircraft Corporation,
Consolidated-Vultee Corporation, and the
Glenn L. Martin Company to train women in
fundamental engineering skills.
In March 1945, PA Theta brothers started to make
plans for returning to the campus chapter house,
which had been vacated by the Navy V-12
program.
1947
[Almost all these brothers were
World War II veterans.]
Following the end of WWII, the return of many
older-and-wiser ex-GIs to Penn State introduced
conspicuous alcohol for the first time to PA Theta
social functions. Prior to January 1946, even sedate
“beer parties” had to be individually voted on by
the chapter, and alcohol was specifically banned for
major social functions.
The dirt floor of the basement "party room" was
excavated deeper and knotty-pine walls, tile
flooring, and a finished ceiling with recessed
lighting fixtures were installed. The room became
known as “The Memorial Room” after a brass
plaque was installed over the corner fireplace with
the following inscription:
ΦΔΘ
In memory of our brothers who gave their lives
This was followed by a list of PA Theta fatalities of
both World Wars. In addition to PA Theta's
brothers who died serving during WWI (see 1911-
1920), the chapter's WWII casualties were George
H. Wolford '32 (Bond #266), Henry Cartin '38
(Bond #357), Harold E. Fry '40 (Bond #374),
Alpheus Clark '41 (Bond #385), and H. Edward
Wagner, Jr. '41 (Bond #375).
The closing phrase on the plaque – In coelo quies
est, meaning "In Heaven there is Rest" – was an
epitaph first used in the memoirs of Phi Delta
Theta founder John McMillan Wilson.
In 1946, the football team unanimously voted not
to play their Nov. 29 regular season finale at
Miami (Fla.) after Miami officials requested that
Penn State not bring its two African-American
players, Dennie Hoggard and Wally Triplett, on
the trip.
1946
In the first post-war initiation ceremony, the
chapter welcomed four new brothers on October
27, 1946. As reported in the fall issue of The
Sword and Shield, it was probably the first PA
Theta initiation where all the new brothers were
over 20 years old. This was because they were all
World War II veterans returning to school.
In a special ceremony on November 16,
1946, Ernst Harboe was initiated (Bond
#495) as the first non-USA-born and first
non-USA-citizen member of PA Theta. Ernst
had been in the United States on a pleasure
trip in 1939 when WWII broke out, and he
was forced to return to his native Denmark to
join the Royal Guards under King Christian
the 10th. Ernst, a master of five languages,
served with the Danish armed forces until the
Germans overran Denmark and then joined
the underground resistance forces.
According to British Field Marshall Bernard
Montgomery, the Danish Underground was the
most efficient in the world, and – as Ernst
himself described it – was capable of blowing
up "railroad tracks almost as soon as the
Germans could repair them." Ernst served in
three different resistance groups – each
assigned with different tasks – for more than
five years before the war ended in 1945.
Effective for the fall of 1947, IFC passed a Code of
Conduct prohibiting female guests from entering
any rooms above the first floor of all chapter
houses. It also banned consumption of any
alcoholic beverages at any time females were
present. Regardless of IFC's original intent, it did
not enforce the code, and, in September, Dean Pearl
O. Weston – the new Dean of Women – proclaimed
that sophomore coeds, in addition to all freshmen,
were banned from any fraternity house at any time.
She also threatened the same policy for juniors and
seniors if fraternities failed to follow the new IFC
code.
Even Dean Warnock agreed that fraternities
needed better controls, stating "I can't see that
the fraternities have anybody but themselves to
blame for this action." However, IFC
convincingly appealed to both deans and in
October, four weeks after its imposition, they
consented to repeal the ban based on their
opinions that the lesson had been learned.
Following that, periodic visits by agents of the
two deans were made to assure reasonable
compliance of the code by fraternities.
Unintentionally confirming the validity of Dean
Weston's and Dean Warnock's opinions of
fraternities, a more severe form of pledge training
(hazing) was instituted by the ex-GI brothers,
including more demanding and onerous duties and
weekly, or more frequent, lineups where Phikeias
were grilled on fraternity facts and the full names of
all brothers in front of a roaring fireplace. Hazing
of a Phikeia was never dangerous, but it could be in
the form of a totally absurd assignment, such as
being instructed to walk across campus late at night
to the Sheep Barn on Shortlidge Road between
Curtin Road and Park Avenue, sneak into the
fenced yard, collect a supply of dried sheep feces,
and then make a necklace out of them using a
length of string and a paper clip as a needle.
Near the end of their year-long pledge period, the
Phikeias fearfully awaited the arrival of "the
Eagle" and the start of Hell Week. Some ex-GI
Phikeias said it had some aspects similar to basic
training in the Army.
• The open stairwell made a perfect venue for
the "egg drop trick," a two-story drop of raw
egg to supine pledges with open mouths on
the first floor.
• Well remembered is the squatting walk up
three flights of stairs to get a mouthful of
alum water and then back down the stairs to
extinguish the fire in the living room
fireplace.
• A relatively innocuous feature of Hell Week
was the requirement for each Phikeia to carry
an onion with him at all times and take a
large bite of it whenever he saw a brother
between classes on campus. Since Vidalia
onions had not yet made their appearance in
State College, Phikeias developed a way to
fake a bite of the onion and mimic a chewing
action. Most observations of brothers were at
a distance, so this ruse worked a large
majority of occasions.
• Toward the end of Hell Week, Phikeias were
given after-dark scavenger hunt assignments
and told not to come back without the
designated items.
1947
However, in stark contrast to the foolishness and
absurdity of hazing and Hell Week antics, social
graces were plainly evident at PA Theta. Brothers
and pledges politely waited outside the dining
room draperies until the "2nd
bell" chimes were
rung. Table manners were taught to new Phikeias,
seniors sat at the head of each dining table to
strictly control the tone of conversations and
general atmosphere by levying fines at their sole
discretion. Phikeias were required to carry matches
at all times and promptly offer to light an observed
cigarette of either a brother or his date.
Nationwide, Phis were well represented in
government including holding state
representative and senatorial positions, cabinet
posts, and governorships. Benjamin Harrison,
the 19th member to sign the Bond of Phi Delta
Theta at Miami University and an early and
active leader in the fraternity, had become the
23rd
president of the United States, and Adlai E.
Stevenson, Sr. (KY Alpha, 1860) served as
President Grover Cleveland's vice president
from 1893-1897.
Formal dances – Miami Triad and Christmas –
were big events.
On December 26, 1948, the Phi Delta Theta
General Fraternity celebrated the centennial
anniversary of its founding at Miami University in
Oxford OH. Now an international fraternity, it had
grown to 110 chapters and had distinguished itself
as one of the strongest within the fraternity system.
Phi Delta Theta was first in many areas, including
being the first to establish a fraternity magazine as
early as 1874.
Penn State’s Phi faculty deans included Edward
Steidle, Pa Theta '11 (School of Mineral Industries)
and Carl P. Schott (School of Physical Education
and Recreation).
In December 1949, PA Theta won the
Interfraternity Council's Outstanding Fraternity
Award. The award was based on extracurricular
activity, scholarship, scholarship improvement, and
athletics. IFC issues of the day were housemothers
for all fraternity houses, pledge hazing, and wet
bars in the fraternity houses.
In 1949: KDKA TV channel 2 in Pittsburgh, PA
(CBS) begins broadcasting; 1st Jewish family TV
show "Goldbergs" premieres on CBS; J. Edgar
Hoover gives Shirley Temple a tear gas fountain
pen; RCA introduces the 45 RPM record; Joe
DiMaggio becomes 1st $100,000/year baseball
player (NY Yankees); Joe Louis retires as
heavyweight boxing champ; Russia stops train
traffic to West-Berlin.
First string Penn State football players were
quarterback Vincent O'Bara '51 (Bond #524), and
offensive linemen Arthur Betts '52 (Bond #546),
and Edward Hoover '52 (Bond #547). Sophomore
Phikeia William Leonard '53 (Bond #557) scored
the winning touchdown in the 1950 Pitt game.
1949 Christmas Dinner-Dance
[Note: For over 10 years following World War
II, PA Theta alumnus John T. “Hi” Henry ‘08
(Bond #27) permitted the brothers to cut hemlock
boughs from the forested portions of his land to
use as decorations for the chapter's annual
Christmas Dinner-Dance. Each year, several –
or more – truckloads of branches were needed to
frame the inside and outside of the main
entranceway plus completely cover all the wood
trim surrounding the openings between all first-
floor rooms.]
The influx of World War II ex-GIs had
diminished by 1949 and, following the
completion of McElwain and Simmons
dorms, freshmen women were again
permitted to matriculate on the Penn State
campus. This was followed in the fall of 1950
with the admission of male freshman
students, many of whom moved into newly
constructed men's dorms – Thompson,
McKee, and Hamilton – in the West Halls
complex.
1951 – 1960
Raymond Fortunato '47 negotiated an
arrangement for the Penn State football team to
be housed and fed at the PA Theta chapter house
during pre-season practice time. Marie Hartigan
cooked all their meals, which they admittedly
enjoyed very much. The resulting profit helped
support the chapter and bring it out of debt
For the spring semester of 1951, Marie Hartigan
was hired as cook to replace "Mike" Morgan, a lady
of some significant size and even more significant
temperament.
[Note: Marie's meals were considered to be a great
improvement over Mike Morgan's, and Marie
cooked for PA Theta for over 10 years.]
Marie Hartigan & Class of ‘56
An avid bingo player at the American Legion in
Huntingdon, Marie routinely won turkeys and hams
and then cooked them for Sunday noon dinners at
PA Theta. She resided in the private apartment over
the kitchen and, with the lone exception of Sunday
evening meal, she prepared breakfast, lunch, and
dinner every day of the week. Marie's Sunday
dinners at noon were often attended and appreciated
by girlfriends and parents of the brothers.
Phikeia chores included cleaning all common-areas
of the house (first floor, hallways, bathrooms) and
their own rooms (shared with two or more
brothers), bed making for one or more assigned
brothers, painting, caring for the lawn and
shrubbery in the fall and spring, and shoveling
snow in the winter. Window cleaning was always
performed with Glass Wax, the favorite cleaning
agent of House Manager John Berry '52 (Bond
#548).
Pledge duties also included waking up brothers
and making sure they were awake and stayed
awake. Affiliate Brother John Banks '51was
considered by the Phikeias to be the worst
wake-up assignment, as the only way to be
reasonably sure John was awake was to get him
to a sitting position with a lit cigarette in his
mouth. However, even then an important
secondary responsibility was to make sure he
didn't fall back onto his mattress with the
burning cigarette.
In response to North Korea’s earlier invasion of
South Korea (June 1950), Brothers John
Daugherty '51 (Bond #527), Daniel Grove '52
(Bond #542), Gordon "Skip" Harrington '52
(Bond #545), and James Stevens '53 (Bond #560)
were called to active duty with the Pennsylvania
Air National Guard 112th Air Warning and
Control Squadron.
PA Theta won the 1950-51 Intramural Sports
Trophy. William Aiken '51 (Bond #526), and
Jack Pickett '52 (Bond #543), the defending
horseshoes champions, reached the final match
before being eliminated and were potent, as
usual, when they paired together on the
badminton court. A strong track team clinched
second place with Edward Gage '53 (Bond #555),
Ernest "Bud" Coleman '53 (Bond #559), Vincent
O'Bara '51, Donald "Mike" Reynolds '51 (Bond
#530), John Reese '51 (Bond #525), and William
Hickey '50 (Bond #518).
The swimming team was led by Affiliate
Brother Malcolm Skove '52, with Bud
Coleman '53, and class of '54 Phikeias Joseph
Garrity (Bond #575), Ronald Miller (Bond
#578), Peter Huey (Bond #567), and Thomas
Smith (Bond #564). Phikeia Joseph Garrity
also sparked the basketball team along with
John Millen '54 (Bond #572). Earl Hower '53
(Bond #561), winner of the heavyweight
crown, led a boxing team including class of
'54 Phikeias William Selvig (Bond #570),
Peter Huey, and Douglas Cassel (Bond
#568).
Arthur Betts '52 was elected co-captain of the
Penn State football team. The Associated Press
All Pennsylvania Small Football Team included
Edward Hoover '52, who accompanied Nittany
Lion football coach Rib Engle to the annual Blue-
Gray game. Harry Carrol Chapman '52 (Bond
#536) led the Blue Band as drum major. Phikeia
Clifford Holgate '54 (Bond #569) served as team
manager for the soccer team and Phikeia
Roderick Snyder '54 (Bond #563) was on the
freshman team. Daniel Grove '52 was a lacrosse
letterman and Robert Bowers '53 (Bond #556)
captained the golf team. Phikeia H. R. "Hap"
Irvin '54 (Bond #565) traveled to Iran with Coach
Bill Jeffrey's soccer team to play some
international goodwill matches, and Phikeia Robert
"Red" Hollen '54 (Bond #571) finished among the
first four in every cross country meet. Phikeias
Peter Huey '54 and Douglas Cassel '54 were strong
contenders for the Penn State wrestling team.
The IM trophy was proudly displayed on top of the
brand new Motorola Radio-Phonograph, a gift from
the senior classes of 1950 and 1951.
The $10,000 mortgage from 1929 was satisfied on
June 23, 1951.
Except those who had a "steady" girlfriend back
home or at another college, Phikeias were required
to obtain dates for major social events.
On December 10, 1951, the first “half” of the class
of ’54 was initiated.
Penn State coeds were not allowed above the first
floor of the chapter house and, except for some
wine at a formal dinner, consummation of alcoholic
beverages was strictly consigned to the Memorial
Room.
Chapter treasurer Charles Schutte '52 (Bond #534)
reported that PA Theta was finally able to pull itself
out of debt, with a bank balance of $400 [$2800 in
2004 dollars] and no accounts payable. However, it
was necessary to increase the monthly house bill by
$1 [$6.84 in 2004 dollars], raising it to $79 [$540
in 2004 dollars].
1952
At the end of Hell Week in the spring of 1952, the
pledge trip for Phikeia Donald Herbein Peirce '54
(Bond #574) was to go to Washington DC and get
the autograph of the Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court, Fred M. Vinson, who was a
Phi (KY Alpha, Centre College).
[Note: Don was the most politically involved
member of his class, having been elected president
of the sophomore class.]
Early Saturday morning, Don arrived at the
Supreme Court Building in Washington DC.
The building was closed, but a guard told him
where Justice Vinson lived. Upon arriving at
the Chief Justice's apartment and knocking on
his door, Don asked to see the Chief Justice,
and a few minutes later he indeed did appear.
After Don explained why he was there –
because Justice Vinson was a Phi and Don
was a Phikeia who was on a Hell Week
assignment – Justice Vinson picked up one of
his business cards, signed his name, and
handed the card to Don. The card's only
printed words were "The Chief Justice." He
then smiled, shook Don's hand and wished
him good luck.
Charles Ridenour '43 was named head wrestling
coach at Penn, and James Gehrdes '51 (Bond
#519) was appointed assistant track coach at the
U. S. Naval Academy.
In November 1952, Wayne Davis, Assistant
Secretary of the General Fraternity, visited PA
Theta and made several suggestions to Chapter
Advisor Robert Koser '48 (Bond #399)
concerning collection of house bills and including
some community service projects in PA Theta's
pledge training program. He also recommended
that the PA Theta alumni corporation "start
investigating the possibility of building a new
chapter house."
PA Theta won the Intramural Sports Trophy
(1951-52) for the second straight year, with
strong finishes in many team sports, especially
the championship volleyball team and the
second-place soccer team, led by Phikeia Galen
Robbins '55 (Bond #583). The strong swimming
team, led by captain Joe Garrity '54 (back-stroke
and relay), included Tom Smith '54 and Bud
Coleman '53 (free-style and relay) and Ronald
Miller '54 (diving), but they lost a close 20-21
match in the semi-finals. Football and basketball
teams reached the quarter-finals, Edward Hoover
'52 took the handball singles championship – and
then teamed with Arthur Betts '52 to capture the
doubles title. Phikeia Thayer "Tad" Potter '55
(Bond #592) advanced to the final round of his
tennis flight before losing a close match.
Football players William Leonard '53 and Theodore
Kemmerer '53 (Bond #558) were the "Toe and
Foot" respectively for Rip Engle's 7-2-1 football
team. Halfback Bill Leonard kicked 18 consecutive
extra points (with the old-fashioned, straight-on
kicking style) for a record 21 out of 23 and added
two field goals for a total of 27 points to become
the team's leading scorer. Ted "Baxter" Kemmerer
handled the punting chores with a 36.6 yard
average. His greatest kicks were 61 yards, in a
Nittany Lion rout of Pitt, and a tremendous 80 yard
punt over Penn's safety man to set up Penn State's
winning touchdown.
1953 Spring Week
[Note: Spring Week, a “celebration of
forgetting the winter past and the final exams to
come,” has witnessed many changes.
Originally, it included a carnival, a parade
with bands and floats, a faculty talent show,
sports contests (including donkey basketball
and he-man events), concerts, the coronation of
Miss Penn State, and the Greek Sing finals.
The first carnival was held in 1949 on South
Allen Street in downtown State College. In
1951, the carnival moved onto campus, first in
the parking lot behind the Sigma Chi chapter
house and then to the present-day (2004) area
of South Halls. A Mad-Hatter Parade was held
on New Beaver Field, and many fraternities
joined with sororities to produce games or skits
for the carnival.
In 1958, the parade was transformed into a
float parade by fraternities, sororities,
honorary societies, and residence hall interest
groups, and it continues to be the major event
for each Spring Week.]
Dean of the School of Mineral Industries, Edward
Steidle '11, retired from Penn State and was
honored with a testimonial dinner at the chapter
house on April 20, 1953. As reported by Jack
Diehl '54 (Bond #566) in The Sword and Shield,
"The chapter had difficulty in obtaining a speaker
that would be suitable for the occasion, so in lieu
of a guest speaker Dean Steidle himself talked on
'What Phi Delta Theta has meant to me and my
family.' He also presented to the chapter library a
book which he recently completed – Mineral
Forecast 2000 A.D.”
Saturday afternoon Dixieland jam sessions were
frequently as popular as the evening parties.
1953
Chapter treasurer Robert "Red" Hollen '54
reported that the monthly house bill would
remain at $79 [$540 in 2004 dollars].
The chapter's first television set was donated by
Thayer "Tad" Potter '55. The most popular show
was the Pabst Blue-Ribbon Friday Night Fights.
1953
In 1953, The Pennsylvania State College became
The Pennsylvania State University under the
administration of President Milton S. Eisenhower,
younger brother of U.S. President Dwight D.
Eisenhower.
In a parallel action and in reaction to President
Milton Eisenhower's insistence on having a
postal address other than State College,
borough residents voted down a proposed name
change for the town. Following that, Penn
State's application to postal authorities for a
campus post office was approved in unusually
quick time – less than two months –
conceivably because of swift and effective
communications that passed between President
Eisenhower in Old Main and President
Eisenhower in the oval office.
PA Theta again was awarded the IFC outstanding
Fraternity trophy in the spring of 1953, but was
forced to share it with Beta Theta Pi. The two
houses, having tied with the same number of points,
planned to keep the trophy for one semester each.
Retiring IFC President Art Rosfeld '53 (Bond #554)
presented the trophy to chapter president Robert
Bowers '53.
Succeeding Robert Koser '42, Henry Yeagley '44
(Bond #414) was appointed as Chapter Advisor in
the spring of 1954. Hank had played varsity soccer
and tennis while enrolled at Penn State, although
his studies were interrupted by serving three years
in the U. S. Air Force during World War II. His
employment was with Penn State as Administrative
Assistant to the Director of the Department of
Physical Plant, which made negotiations with that
department much easier.
Bruce Schroeder '54 (Bond #576) was appointed
photography editor of both Froth (campus humor
magazine) and La Vie (year book).
Spring "Panty Raids" were outlawed by Penn State
administrators in under threat of expulsion for any
participants.
In January 1953, NFL Dallas Texans become the
Baltimore Colts – now (2004) Indianapolis Colts.
1953 Bowery Ball
Social chairman, Gordon "Skip" Harrington '52-
‘54 (who had been delayed to class of '54 because
of military service during the Korean War)
reported the recent Bowery Ball had been quite
successful. With tongue firmly planted in cheek,
he closed by stating, “The chapter wasn't on
social probation, nobody had been lost in all the
sawdust, and 80 pounds of shrimp had been
devoured, mostly with shells still intact."
[Note: The original tradition of Bowery Ball
started as a Gay 90s costume party.]
As the first ever nationally televised
congressional inquiry, the 1954 "gavel to gavel"
broadcasts of the Army-McCarthy hearings on
the ABC and DuMont networks from late April
to June preempted many day-time study hours,
including during finals week.
On May 10, 1954, a banquet commemorating the
50th anniversary of installation as a chapter of Phi
Delta Theta Fraternity was held at the chapter
house. The oldest attending PA Theta alumnus
was John T. "Hi" Henry '08 (Bond #27).
In the spring of 1954, John B. Millen, Jr. ’54 and
Thayer R. “Tad” Potter ’55 won the Penn State
Intramural Tennis Doubles Tournament, although
John later muted his contribution by stating, “I
enjoyed watching him (Tad) play.”
Treasurer William Kutz '56 (Bond #598) reported
that, while the kitchen operations were in the
black, the other house affairs might cause the
chapter to "run a little into the red." His
justification for this included the fact that the
house was becoming older and many repairs were
needed. Also, too many members were living
outside the house.
Effective September 1, 1954, Penn State mandated
that all “non-dry” chapters, must employ a part-
time or full-time housemother, who was to be
present whenever female students were being
entertained. Mrs. Grove, mother of Daniel Grove
'52 and Edwin Grove, Jr. '56 (Bond #594), was
hired as a part-time housemother for PA Theta.
At the same time, Penn State changed its attitude on
drinking from one of prohibiting the use of
alcoholic beverages to one of disapproval, and –
instead of relying on IFC for enforcement – it
declared it would hold the officers of each chapter
responsible for compliance with the new rules.
Several community service projects of PA Theta
included: redecorating the African Methodist
Episcopal Church in Bellefonte; exterior and
grounds improvements at the Tussey Ridge Girl
Scout Camp; and renovation of an abandoned
school building for Skills, Inc., a rehabilitative
school and center for crippled and disabled
residents of Bellefonte and the surrounding area.
On Penn State's homecoming weekend of October
15-17, 1954, PA Theta celebrated its golden
anniversary. Scheduled activities included a golf
tournament, campus tours, luncheons, dinners, and
attendance at a variety of Penn State events,
including football and soccer games, cross country
match, Thespian show, and the traditional Penn
State homecoming luncheon and cider party. Over
250 PA Theta alumni returned to the house to join
in the celebration and ceremonies, which included
the initiation of David Schofield '56 (Bond #607).
Participating in the anniversary banquet program
were The Reverend William C. Bowie '29 (Bond
#241) for the invocation), Edwin T. Eggers '28
(Bond #223) as toastmaster), H. L. "Pete" Stuart '20
as a Member of General Council, Robert Piper '55
(Bond #479) as president of the chapter, and Henry
L. Yeagley '44 as chapter advisor. Brother William
R Bayes (Ohio Beta '01), the 1934-36 General
Council President, gave an address titled "One
Hundred and Six Years of Phi Delta Theta." John
C. Cosgrove, Sr. '07, one of the surviving PA
Theta charter members, attended the function. On
Sunday morning, many members attended
services at the State College Presbyterian Church,
the church of Irving L. Foster, the "Father of
Pennsylvania Theta."
The undergraduate chapter members
constructed a fifteen-foot high, three-tiered
"50th Birthday Cake" on the front lawn. It was
quite impressive, until the remnants of
Hurricane Hazel came through on Friday
night and turned the paper napkins – at least,
the ones that hadn't blown away – into a
soggy mess.
The name "University Park" was first used in
February 1955 as the name of both the campus
and the new campus Post Office, a substation of
the State College Post Office. Originally intended
by President Milton Eisenhower to end confusion
about Penn State's new status as a university and
no longer a college, the new postal address – also
used as date lines for press releases – continued
to befuddle persons not familiar with the area and
ignorant of the fact that Penn State was not a
municipality of its own and its University Park
Campus was actually in the Borough of State
College and several adjacent townships.
In 1956, Community Service Day was instituted
by Phi Delta Theta Fraternity. PA Theta began
sponsoring Christmas parties in conjunction with
a sorority for underprivileged children.
Dean of Men A. R. Warnock estimated that 80 to
90 percent of the campus leaders were Greeks.
PA Theta again won the IFC Intramural Sports
Trophy for the 1955-56 academic year.
In the fall of 1956, Mrs. Arminta Kerr was hired
as full-time "live-in" housemother. "Mom Kerr"
was a welcome addition to the house, and
represented the trend of live-in "caretakers" being
established in the fraternity system. A small first-
floor apartment had been constructed for her
between the kitchen wing and the "new (1928)
wing."
[Note: Once more, the structural integrity of the
house was compromised when lintels over two
basement windows in the kitchen wing were
removed, allowing the entire exterior brick wall
above them to progressively sag over the next 50-
plus years. This caused the windows above to
assume parallelogram shapes, instead of the
original rectangles.]
Milton Plum '57 (Bond #631) was Penn State's
first-string quarterback on Rip Engle's football
team.
[Note: Milt later had a successful NFL career as
quarterback with the Detroit Lions.]
The house bill was $90 [$609 in 2004 dollars],
including social dues.
On February 18, 1957, Edward R. Hintz, Jr. '59 was
initiated (Bond #647).
In 1958, H. L. "Pete " Stuart '20, was elected
General Council President of Phi Delta Theta after
serving terms in other offices of the General
Council, two as its secretary.
[Note: Elected at the biennial convention in
Asheville NC, Pete Stuart has been the only PA
Theta member to have served on General Council
or hold any office in Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.]
H. L. “Pete” Stuart
PA Theta presented a plaque to "Pete" Stuart
with the following inscription:
To Brother H. L. "Pete" Stuart –
In appreciation of his outstanding service to
Phi Delta Theta and lasting devotion to his
Chapter – Presented October 11, 1958 –
By the PA Theta Chapter of ΦΔΘ.
Wagner Building was constructed in 1958 at the
then far-eastern-end of campus and became
headquarters for the Penn State ROTC programs,
taking the place of the historic Armory. It was
posthumously dedicated to PA Theta Phi H.
Edward “Eddie” Wagner '41 (see 1931-1940).
Killed in action in World War II, Eddie
Wagner had graduated in 3½ years with top
academic grades and then enlisted and
volunteered for paratrooper training in 1942.
Attached to the 82nd
Airborne Division, he
parachuted into France at 2:30 a.m. on D-
Day, June 6, 1944. He survived D-Day with
only a few superficial wounds, but he was
killed soon after that.
On November 17, 1959, Carson W. "Pete" Culp,
Jr. '61, grandson of PA Theta charter member
Clyde Emanuel Culp, Sr. and son of Carson W.
Culp '34, was initiated into PA Theta (Bond
#678).
In the fall of 1960, Richard J. "Richie" Lucas '60
(Bond #664) was presented the Grantland Rice
Memorial Trophy, which recognized Phi Delta
Theta's "Athlete of the Year." As a single-platoon
quarterback, running back, pass receiver,
defensive back, punt returner, kick returner,
punter, and place-kicker, "Riverboat Richie" had
played under Rip Engle's single-wing brand of
football, and his coach called Richie "the greatest
player I have ever seen." He had been drafted by
the Buffalo Bills, and the award was presented by
H. L. "Pete" Stuart '20 and 1940 Heisman Trophy
winner Brother Phi Tom Harmon (MI Alpha ‘41,
University of Michigan) [whose name would
later be added to the award] during half-time of
the Buffalo Bills-Los Angeles Chargers game in
Buffalo.
[Note: Brother Harmon had been a two-year All-
American halfback for Michigan in1938 and1940
and was later voted one of the top 100 football
players ever. Brother Stuart, a long-time PIAA
football official, had been a consistent contributor
to The Scroll, providing numerous in-depth articles
on PA Theta football players.]
The chapter acquired new leather-cushioned
furniture, along with a new 24" television set,
which – as reported in the chapter newsletter –
allowed everyone to watch every brother's
heartthrob, "Arlene," on American Bandstand. It’s
not known, however, if she was Arlene Sullivan or
Arlene DiPietro.
In 1957, Vance Packard '36 wrote his first major
book, The Hidden Persuaders, followed by The
Status Seekers (1959), and The Waste Makers
(1960).
Vance Packard
[Note: Vance Packard later authored many
additional popular books.]
On October 24, 1960, initiations were held for
William A. Overlock (Bond #705) and Harry L.
Allen, Jr. (Bond #710).
1961 – 1970
In 1961, Vance Packard '36, was named a
Distinguished Alumnus of Penn State.
On November 2, 1961, James G. "Jake" Culp '64,
grandson of PA Theta charter member Clyde
Emanuel Culp, Sr., son of Carson W. Culp '34, and
brother of "Pete" Culp '61, was initiated into PA
Theta (Bond #722).
Edward White '62 (Bond #1292) led the revamping
of the room that, at one time, had been the boiler
room before the house was provided with steam
directly from the Penn State power plant.
Additional knotty pine paneling was installed to
match the Memorial Room and the opening
between the two rooms was widened.
PA Theta's entry in the 1961 homecoming float
parade was a replica of the Spirit of St. Louis.
The chapter took 2nd
place in the Greek Sing with
"Shenandoah" and "Brown Eyes, I've Lost My
Heart To You."
In 1961, a PA Theta Alumni Council was set up
to aid chapter members with various activities of
the organization. This included physical plant,
rush and pledge training, social, and scholarship.
The council was also designed to involve more
alumni in the undergraduate's activities by
dividing responsibilities among the alumni and
thus reducing the burden on the chapter advisor.
During the summer of 1962, Harry Allen Jr. '63
was privileged to introduce "Pete" Stuart for an
award at the Phi Delta Theta Biennial Convention
at the Greenbriar Hotel in West Virginia.
On October 31, 1962, David N. Thiel was
initiated (Bond #749).
Under the chairmanship of James W. Towson '16
(Bond #98), approximately $75,000 [$448,000 in
2004 dollars] was raised to update much of the
chapter house. Starting in 1962, the multi-year
renovation effort commenced under the
supervision and oversight of alumni corporation
treasurer, Raymond T. Fortunato '47.
In all rooms on the second, third, and fourth
floors, new wood paneling and acoustic tile
ceilings were added, closets were enlarged, and
built-in bureaus and desks were installed. New
fixtures were installed in every bathroom, the
dining room received an illuminated drop-ceiling,
the first floor guest room and restrooms were
renovated, and the deteriorated wood porches on
each side of the front portico were removed and
replaced with a new concrete veranda bounded by
a brick wall.
1964
Penn State’s historic Armory – built in 1892 – was
demolished in 1964, to make room for construction
of a new wing to Willard Building. Over many
decades the Armory had served various functions
and purposes, including dance hall, gymnasium,
registration and class scheduling hall, and home for
all ROTC cadres.
During the summer of 1965, a serendipitous
fire struck the penthouse causing moderate
damage to the roof, which was scheduled for
removal anyway. The resulting insurance
settlement lowered the out-of-pocket costs of
constructing a new, higher ceiling and the
addition of clerestory windows.
The entire renovation project was completed in
1967, but funding to pay the contractor was
short, and an extra appeal for supplemental
alumni contributions was made.
All during the 1960s, a war raged in Vietnam and
the United States was being drawn into the war in
an effort to "prevent the spread of communism."
The Beatles hit the U. S., along with the first draft
lottery, and birth control pills came into being.
1962
Housemother "Mom Kerr" continued to control
the manners of the brothers – coats and ties were
worn at dinnertime. She was respected by all the
brothers, although their favorite pastime was
trying to water-bag her aggravating little
Chihuahua, Pat. Nevertheless, she ruled with a
gentle – but firm – resolve and reinforced the "G"
in "God grant we all may stand," when sung at
the end of the evening meals.
With the refurbishment of the chapter house
completed, membership rose to almost 50
members, with all but two or three living in the
house. Phi football players under first-year head
coach Joe Paterno included 1966 co-captain John
Runnels '67 (Bond #778), Brian Hondru '67
(Bond #785), John Thompson '67 (Bond #777),
Edward Gabriel '67 (Bond #784), and 1967 co-
captain James Litterelli '67 (Bond #782). Other
Phis were captains of the baseball team, lacrosse
team, and rugby club.
1963 Pledge Formal
The Vietnam war became very unpopular,
especially among college students, and was the
cause of various student demonstrations and
uprisings at Penn State. Additionally, they protested
Penn State's failure to enroll enough black students,
censorship of student publications, and cooperative
military research projects.
Student complaints also concerned regulations and
restrictions considered by many to be archaic. As
early as 1964, two organizations, Association of
Women Students (AWS) and Town Independent
Men (TIM) had pressed for elimination of Penn
State's longstanding in loco parentis policy
regarding students’ responsibilities. Finally, in
1966, Penn State agreed to study the matter,
resulting in a vote of 11 to 1 by the Administrative
Committee on Student Affairs in favor of
permitting unrestricted visitation privileges for
women to visit men in off-campus housing
accommodations.
Unfortunately for the students, the single vote
that had been cast against the proposed new
policy was that of the Dean of Men, Frank
Sims. Because of that, top-level Penn State
administrators considered the vote to be a tie.
Eventually, after 2,000 students rallied on Old
Main lawn in support of changes, dress codes
for evening dorm meals were relaxed so men
did not have to wear coats and ties and women
did not have to wear skirts or dresses. However,
for the time being, women still had to live on-
campus and no men or women were permitted
to visit rooms of the other gender.
In 1966, all US cigarette companies were forced to
carry "Caution Cigarette smoking may be
hazardous to your health" messages on each pack,
which cost about 50¢.
San Francisco Giant outfielder Willie Mays signs
highest ever contract, $130,000 per year, and Dr.
Seuss' "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" airs for
first time on CBS.
In 1966 Sue Paterno (wife of football coach
Joe Paterno) and a friend, in an attempt to
arouse a rather apathetic student body,
secretly splashed water-soluble orange paint
on the Nittany Lion statue the week of the
Syracuse game. It was quickly removed, but
later that week Syracuse fans covered the
statue in orange oil-based paint, which was
tougher to remove. After that, students
guarded the shrine every homecoming.
In 1968, Penn State students lived for over a
week in "Walkertown" – derisively named for
President Eric Walker – a shanty town of tents
and cardboard shelters erected on Old Main lawn
to protest insufficient dorm space for incoming
students, which had resulted in as many as 400 of
them having to use temporary bunks and coat
racks in dorm basements, recreation rooms,
lounges, and other equally inadequate areas.
Fredrick Metzger ’49 (Bond #502) opened his
full-service restaurant, “Sword & Shield,” on
Sowers Street in State College.
In 1968, Sigma Chi sold its property – across
Pollock Road from PA Theta – to Penn State.
Built in 1906, the chapter house had deteriorated,
according to a Sigma Chi alumnus, as the result
of "too many years of partying and deferred
maintenance – along with minimal alumni
supervision of the chapter – leading to the point
where the house is considered a risk."
At about the same time, the Delta Tau Delta
chapter was being disbanded by its alumni,
and a purchase of the Delt property was made
by Sigma Chi. Upon taking possession, Penn
State quickly demolished the 1906 Sigma Chi
house and landscaped the lot with grass,
shrubbery, and evergreen trees.
In December 1968, John Baughman '65 (Bond
#745) was tragically killed in an automotive
accident. A brass plaque was installed in The
Memorial Room with the following inscription.
In Memory of John L. Baughman –
Class of 1965 — who died in an
automobile accident December 4, 1968 —
In Coelo Quies Est
The closing Latin phrase, meaning "In Heaven
there is Rest," was taken from an epitaph first used
in the memoirs of Phi Delta Theta founder John
McMillan Wilson.
In January 1969, a student protest group – the
Steering Committee to Reform the University
(SCRU) – issued numerous demands, including
stoppage of military research and recruiting,
removal of compulsory ROTC, and termination of
academic credits for voluntary ROTC. SCRU also
wanted female students to have the right to live off-
campus and dorm residents to have the right to
determine their own visitation policies.
When a February deadline was not met by Penn
State, some 400 students – including members
of SCRU, Students for Democratic Society
(SDS), and the Douglass Association of
Multiethnic Americans, along with
sympathizers of similar politically active
groups – refused to leave Old Main after they
were unable to meet with President Walker,
who was in Harrisburg.
Administration officials eventually obtained a
court order, which the Centre County sheriff
served that evening after entering through a
crowd of over 1,500 students outside – most of
whom were not sympathetic to SCRU or its
aims. However, around 10:00 p.m., several
faculty members had calmed the hostile crowd
enough for the demonstrators to leave
peacefully, and the occupation of Old Main
came to an end.
PA Theta's class of 1970 had a large number of
excellent football players, who were a part of
Penn State's two consecutive undefeated teams.
Team members included Charles Burkhart (Bond
#833), Walter Cirafesi (Bond #839), Stephen
Smear (Bond #832), Peter Johnson (Bond #840),
and David Radacovich (Bond #838).
PA Theta hosted the largest post-game party
Penn State had ever seen, following the
football team's defeat of UCLA in November
of 1969. After landing at the Pittsburgh
airport, the team buses arrived at Rec Hall at
1:00 a.m., Monday morning. Thousands of
students were there to greet them, and as
many as possible were invited down
Burrowes Road to PA Theta for a celebration,
which continued well into the remainder of
the night.
1971 – 1980 By the fall of 1972, Phi Delta Theta International
Fraternity had grown to become the third largest
fraternity by total initiates, behind only Sigma
Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Chi.
Charles “Charlie” Zapiec, Jr. ’71 (Bond #864)
was captain of the 1971 football team. He started
every game at Penn State that he was eligible for
and graduated with the best record of any Penn
State Player ever, 34 and 1, winning two Orange
Bowls, defeating Kansas and Missouri, and one
Cotton Bowl, with a win over Texas.
1971 - “Charlie” Zapiec
The chapter began to run into troubles in the early
1970s. Financial problems beset the house.
Actives and alumni began to lose interest in the
house, as was evident by the discontinuation of the
latest version of a chapter newsletter, The Penn
State Bond. Complaints by alumni surfaced, who
claimed the chapter was not as warm and friendly
as it had once been. Additionally, and contrary to
the policy of Phi Delta Theta's General Council, a
"Little Sister" program was instituted. However, by
homecoming of 1976, this trend seemed to have
reversed, as over four hundred alumni and guests
visited the house. Many alumni noted a marked
improvement in the demeanor of the brothers.
Mark Markovich ’74 (Bond #911), an All
American guard for the Nittany Lions and PA
Theta chapter president, won the Harmon-Rice
award in 1974. He became the second PA Theta
winner of this Phi Delta Theta award which
recognized athletics, scholarship, and leadership.
Mark was also an Academic All American, and
received an NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship.
Henry Rogers '34 (Bond #300) established a
scholarship award for the PA Theta senior with the
highest grade average. A fund was created to award
$100 [$305 in 2004 dollars] each year, unless the
eligible student declined the award to enable it to
serve a more needy recipient in the future.
After playing in the 1975 Orange Bowl, Mark
Ewing '76 (Bond #964), Thomas Giotto '76 (Bond
#957), and Gregory Buttle '76 (Bond #956) brought
back three baby alligators from Florida. They were
quite a hit and were raised close to the bar in the
PA Theta basement. They were also very much
enjoyed during the 1976 Bowery Ball.
On another occasion, a brother who was the
alligators' primary care giver put "Mortiky" –
the largest of the three – on a leash and took
him for a walk across campus before returning
to the four-way-stop intersection of Burrowes
and Pollock Roads at the chapter house. From
there, he and Mortiky directed traffic during a
Friday afternoon rush hour. It was said the
campus police "appreciated" the assistance.
Streaking was big in 1975. One PA Theta member
drove the campus bus for extra cash, and one
evening he stopped by the chapter house to pick up
a large contingent of brothers, who were au
naturel. As the bus traveled past the College
Avenue "Wall" in front of Old Main, the brothers
pressed their backsides "like hams against the
windows" and nearby pedestrians applauded
enthusiastically. The incident made the CBS
Evening News with Walter Cronkite, who smiled
and did not seem to disapprove.
A turning point in PA Theta's tradition of having
many top-rated football players in the house came
in the spring of 1975, when Joe Paterno decided
our chapter had become an "athletic dorm," and
he wouldn't permit any more players to join Phi
Delta Theta. He wanted the players to live among
"regular" students.
“Coach Joe” was gracious enough to accept
an invitation to dinner to explain his
reasoning to the chapter members. He felt he
had a responsibility to do what he believed
was in the best interests of his student
athletes. Joe also made some references to
declining academic grades of football players
in general, but all PA Theta players graduated
on schedule.
He may not have convinced many with his
reasoning, but Joe gained the respect of everyone
for his beliefs. Additionally, he taught some of
the PA Theta members how it was best to face
your foe and communicate, a lesson that might
not have been learned if they had not been a
"Brother in the Bond."
[Note: Some of the players in the house at this
time who have gone on to successful careers are
Mark Markovich '74 (book author, and business,
Illinois Machine and Tools Works), Alexander
Wasilov '75 (business, Rosenbluth International),
Gregory Buttle '76 (business, Unique Sports &
Entertainment, after NFL), Mark Ewing '76
(business), Thomas Giotto '76 (attorney), James
Zitch '75 (investments), and James Bradley '75
(orthopedic surgeon).]
1975
In December 1976, Inez Packer was hired as
cook/kitchen manager, beginning a time when she
would "rule the roost." The January 1978 issue of
The Phi News had the following to say about Inez:
"Currently at the Phi Lodge, the brotherhood
enjoys a great pleasure; namely, the cooking of
Inez Packer. Anyone who experienced Inez's
cooking at Homecoming [October 1977] will
certainly agree that she is the greatest. But
Inez, although a good friend as well as a
fabulous cook, provides a more important
function; she somehow keeps the brothers in
line, and Inez is one reason why the house is in
the best condition it's been in for years."
In 1978, David Thiel '65 was elected to assume the
duties of alumni corporation secretary.
In a football weekend incident in 1978, the
Lion Shrine was vandalized when a blunt
object was used to break off the statue's right
ear. The original sculptor - Heinz Warneke -
was alive at the time and, with some difficulty,
was able to match the stone and repair the
damaged ear. This incident led to the site being
guarded by Penn State police during home
football games.
Compounding a negative evaluation of the
physical condition of the house – including
assorted malfunctions of the electrical, heating,
and plumbing systems – financial problems
continued to plague PA Theta with many
undergraduate brothers failing to pay their house
bills. Maintenance on the house waned and
conditions deteriorated. Finally, in 1979,
symbolic of the decline the chapter was taking,
the front portico, with its majestic Corinthian
columns, was demolished after it was discovered
it was almost ready to fall down on its own.
1979
On May 5, 1979, PA Theta celebrated its 75th
anniversary with a well-attended banquet at The
Nittany Lion Inn. The event was organized by PA
Theta Alumni Corporation President John C.
"Jack" Cosgrove, Jr. '38, son of charter member
John C. Cosgrove '07. Opening remarks were
made by undergraduate chapter president Michael
J. Woika '79 (Bond #1030). Phi Delta Theta
dignitaries attending and speaking were Robert J.
Miller, NM Alpha '50, Executive Vice President
of the international fraternity, and T. Glen Cary,
TX Epsilon '56, President of General Council.
In addition to Vance Packard '36, several other
Penn State Phis had gained national recognition
as authors; Donald Blaisdell '19 (Bond #132),
wrote on technology and its relation to the
environment; William Patterson '13 (Bond #77),
published a children's book; and Arthur P. Miller
Jr '47 (Bond #436), wrote several books based on
his career with the National Park Service.
To comply with local fire codes and as mandated
by the chapter's insurance carrier, the open stairwell
was enclosed and self-closing fire doors were
installed at the second and third floors landings.
Another fire door was installed at the landing just a
few steps above the first floor and the venerated
“Post” at the bottom of the stairway bannister.
[Note: The "Post" (the base plate of an original
lamp post installed when the house was built)
should be fondly remembered by many brothers
from their Hell Week days as "Yellow-Dogs."
When a Yellow Dog started upstairs, passing the
Post, a nearby brother might command, "What does
the Post say?" The Phikeia was then permitted to
respond with, "The Post says . . ." then freely
expressing his opinion on any subject, situation, or
person – including the brother – without fear of
retribution.]
While PA Theta had no choice in the matter,
everyone said the enclosure of the stairwell
absolutely destroyed the decades-old hallway
ambience of the upper floors that had been
enjoyed by earlier members of the chapter.
Also performed was the installation of a new
roof, a fire alarm system, many plumbing
repairs, and replacement of all heating system
thermostats. It was noted that this was the first
substantial work – costing about $25,000
[$64,000 in 2004 dollars] – to be done in the
past 15 years.
Unfortunately for the chapter, the last year of the
1970s brought more turmoil, and the PA Theta
alumni were forced to act. Even though the chapter
was still in acceptable standing with fraternity
headquarters, the alumni members were extremely
discouraged by the day to day conduct of the
undergraduate brothers. Most of the study room
improvements – including the uniform, built-in
study desks – of the 1960s' renovation project were
dismantled and removed. Many of the chapter
members wanted to "express their individualism"
and have more privacy. With the desks removed,
they were then able to turn the study rooms into
study/sleeping rooms. Similarly, the sleeping rooms
were converted to combination study and sleeping
rooms.
Many alumni wanted to close the house
down. Fortunately, a few were able to
convince those who were most disappointed
to keep the brotherhood alive. Nevertheless,
changes had to be made, and it was
questionable whether or not there was a
sufficiently sized core of undergraduate
brothers truly interested in implementing the
changes and restoring pride in the chapter.
At the May 3, 1980, alumni corporation meeting,
five resolutions were passed, authorizing
drastically altered procedures for the operation of
the chapter. One resolution included conditions
under which – as a last resort – the chapter house
would be closed.
Thomas L. Smith '54 was appointed as
chapter advisor, succeeding Jeffrey B. Fisher
'76 (Bond #918). During the following
summer, alumni corporation president, John
C. "Jack" Cosgrove, Jr. '38, wrote a lengthy
letter to all alumni explaining the situation,
and outlining the corrective steps that were
being taken.
Following the establishment of new guidelines,
including some basic "codes of conduct," all
chapter brothers were interviewed and evaluated
by an alumni panel and, subsequent to the loss of
33 members who had graduated, left school, or
were determined to be "unwelcome," only twelve
active brothers remained, and only seven of them
resided in the chapter house.
To survive financially, the chapter was forced
to take in nonmembers as "boarders," some
of whom would later become Phikeias and
then brothers of PA Theta.
In September, 1980, J. Randal Chestone '79
(Bond #1032) spearheaded the establishment of
the H. L. "Pete" Stuart Award, to be presented to
a worthy PA Theta alumnus, regardless of his
class year. A wood cabinet holding a plaque with
numerous brass plates for names of award
recipients was installed in the Pete Stuart Room.
The plaque was inscribed with,
H. L. "Pete" Stuart Award – We, the brothers of
the Pennsylvania Theta chapter of Phi Delta
Theta, pay fond tribute to the following alumni,
without whose foresight, leadership and
purposeful dedication, our chapter would not
exist today.
The first Pete Stuart Award was presented at the
1980 Homecoming meeting to John C. "Jack"
Cosgrove, Jr. '38.
[Note: Other recipients in later years have been
Thomas L. Smith '54, Donald R Ernst '33 (Bond
#285), Raymond T. Fortunato '47, Joseph J.
Eisenhuth '48 (Bond #482), David N. Thiel '65, and
Robert W. Olson '64 (Bond #723).]
The October 1980 alumni corporation meeting, was
considered by President Jack Cosgrove '38 to be
very productive. The undergraduate members were
instructed to increase membership – so the chapter
house would be occupied only by brothers or
pledges – and the alumni would investigate and
oversee the purchase of new furniture for the first
floor. The existing furniture had been purchased by
the undergraduate members at low cost and was not
substantial enough to withstand the abuse of
fraternity living. Another subject discussed was
whether to renovate or replace our entire physical
plant.
Penn State's highly criticized 10-week academic
term schedule was abandoned after over ten years
of unsuccessful experimentation and adjustments.
1981 – 1990
Scott Loncor '81 (Bond #1058) headed the task of
expanding PA Theta's parking area with the
construction of a landscaping timber wall on the
south side of the chapter house, that was then filled
with dirt and topped with gravel.
In 1981, David Thiel '65, alumni corporation
secretary, takes over the additional duties of alumni
treasurer.
Through the pivotal efforts of Jack Cosgrove '38
and Tice Ryan '39 (Bond #347), the Pennsylvania
Theta Educational Foundation was incorporated
and requested a ruling from the IRS granting it
status as a 501(c)(3) organization, thus being
exempt from federal income taxes and permitted
to accept tax-deductible contributions from
donors. Its purpose was a) to provide scholarships
for deserving students pursuant to priorities
established by the foundation, and b) to provide
financial assistance for housing students who are
members of Phi Delta Theta fraternity.
Steidle Building
Mineral Industries Building, built in 1929-30,
was renamed Steidle Building in honor of the
retired dean of the College of Mineral Industries,
Edward Steidle, PA Theta '11. Along with many
others, the ceremony was attended by Dean
Steidle's sons, PA Theta Phis Edward Steidle Jr
'43 (Bond #411), and Howard Steidle '47 (Bond
#422).
Since PA Theta no longer had a live-in cook, the
apartment over the kitchen was occupied by
undergraduate members. Randal Thompson '83
(Bond #1050) – son of Donald "Duck" Thompson
'50 (Bond #507) – and Christopher Cadden '83
(Bond #1074) spent many hours upgrading the
apartment's bathroom facilities.
In 1982, Edward R. Hintz, Jr. '59 was named
Alumni Fellow of Penn State's Smeal College of
Business.
Chapter treasurer, Bruce Stucker '82 (Bond
#1089), reported the semester house bill was now
$635 [$1,275 in 2004 dollars] for room and meals
plus $70 [$140 in 2004 dollars] social fee.
H. L. "Pete" Stuart '21 passed away in 1982 at age
83. Pete had served many years as either PA Theta's
advisor to the undergraduate chapter or president of
the alumni corporation, as well as his terms on the
General Council of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity,
including the office of president from 1958 to 1960.
Known locally as a great competitor, Pete won
four golf titles at Centre Hills Country Club and
was a long time scholastic and collegiate
football and basketball official. He was recently
inducted into the West Branch Chapter of the
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame, an honor not
given to very many game officials. He served
on Penn State's athletic advisory board for
almost 20 years and was a charter member of
the Penn State Quarterback Club, where he
would often blow his referee's whistle to bring
those early meetings to order.
Following Pete's death, his widow, Jo Haggerty
Stuart, offered to return the plaque which had
been presented to Pete by the chapter in 1958.
The offer was gratefully accepted and the
plaque was mounted over the fireplace in the
Pete Stuart Room.
[Note: This room was originally known as the
parlor, then as the card room, and eventually
as the pool room.]
The Bowery Ball became notorious when some
faculty members and local animal rights
organizations became aware of the relatively new
custom of salamander eating – or "mander
munching," as it was called. PA Theta had actually
introduced consumption of the amphibians in the
mid-1960s, when the original theme – a traditional
gay-90s costume party with peel-your-own-shrimp
– was abandoned. Mander-munching had escaped
notice for many years until it was more actively and
blatantly advertised on T-shirts and other means in
the early 1980s and aroused the ire of some
outsiders.
The salamanders were obtained from
Whipple Dam, located near Penn State's
Stone Valley recreational area in Huntingdon
County. During Bowery Ball, the basement
would be covered with sawdust, and a small
pond with a recirculating pump was built in a
corner. The pond was filled with water, but
contained some ground for the salamanders
to crawl on. Unfortunately for the
salamanders, they would be devoured,
usually live, during the four-day party. Any
Penn State student was offered the
opportunity to purchase the specially
designed Bowery Ball T-shirt (used for
admittance) just to try this "delicacy."
Trans Species Unlimited (an animal rights
group), the SPCA, and many faculty members
protested the practice, although the Penn State
Sociology department took opportunistic interest
and decided to make a short documentary movie
film on the event. Newspapers as far away as
Missoula Montana carried articles with
quotations from PA Theta members about the
practice, including one explaining how a guest (a
non-member) ate "around 40 or something, but
the guy who did that spent the night in the
hospital getting his stomach pumped."
In 1983, as a result of all the local
protestations and some letters written to Phi
Delta Theta General Fraternity, salamanders
were banned on the chapter premises. If the
devouring of salamanders continued, the
chapter was threatened with expulsion of all
current members and revocation of its
charter. By 1986, the 20-some-year-old
tradition of mander-munching was dead.
In 1983, Chapter membership had increased to
34.
Jack Cosgrove '38 reported that the Pennsylvania
Theta Educational Foundation had received a
ruling from the IRS recognizing it as a public
foundation, thus guaranteeing its ability to
receive tax deductible contributions under section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
On November 11, 1983, Ronald L. Forrest was
initiated (Bond #1125).
With a membership of 40 in 1984, the PA
Theta chapter house had returned to being
occupied only by Phis or Phikeias, with no non-
members residing or taking meals.
Faced with the fact that the ancient dining room
furniture (c. 1930) had finally surrendered to the
ravages of old age, John Bischoff '57 (Bond #609),
Chip Engle '57 (Bond #599), and Ron Feigles '58
(Bond #620) spearheaded a successful campaign to
raise funds for new tables and chairs.
Kurt Wyckoff '86 (Bond #1091) led the chapter
efforts in the building of the notorious PA Theta
swimming pool on the north lawn. After some
mixed signals from Penn State authorities and the
chapter's insurance carrier, the above-ground pool
was declared unsafe and was dismantled.
Spring of 1984 brought the return of Bowery Ball
as an 1890s costume party, which was conducted
uneventfully "sans-salamanders." The spring formal
dinner-dance, however, did cause some
consternation among the brothers when it was
discovered that a rented beverage fountain worth
$650 [$1,160 in 2004 dollars] had been stolen
during the night. Investigation of the incident by
Timothy Wilkinson '83 (Bond #1068) led him to a
group of visiting Phis from PA Beta (Gettysburg
College). After alumni corporation president John
Wilson III '58 (Bond #635) contacted the father of
one of the more responsible Gettysburg brothers,
Tim was permitted to retrieve the fountain and
return it to PA Theta.
At this time, many Penn State fraternities were
operating with house occupancies far less than
100%, and PA Theta was among them. With
occupancy at only 68% of capacity, the house bill –
including social dues – remained relatively low at
$1,250 [$2,230 in 2004 dollars] per semester. The
average Penn State fraternity house bill was $1,211
[$2,160 in 2004 dollars] and the occupancy average
was 78%; the highest charge was $1,490 [$2,655 in
2004 dollars] for a house with 89% occupancy.
Major concerns over excessive consumption of
alcohol became more frequent and more vocal at
many university campuses. At Penn State, the
student body was warned that University and/or
local authorities might be forced to implement
much more stringent controls. PSU President
Bryce Jordan formed an Alcohol Task Force to
formulate new policies relating to the
consumption and dispensing of alcoholic
beverages.
The desirable "Cook's Room" suite, now
assigned to the chapter president or members
with low Bond numbers, was upgraded again
with the installation of a wet bar and a loft.
The remainder of the1980s saw a continued
rebirth of PA Theta, carried forward by a group
of brothers who truly wanted to see it survive;
among the most active and enthusiastic of these
were Randall Thompson '83 and Christopher
Cadden '83. An increased emphasis was put on
membership recruiting and public image, and
Homecoming activities were participated in
regularly, with spectacular floats garnering
several awards. Spring Week victories also
increased the chapter's exposure and reputation
on campus.
Scholarship increased as grade point averages
began to exceed the all-male average. PA Theta
was represented in almost every philanthropy,
with medals and trophies as testaments to jobs
well done. The brothers started their own
philanthropy, first benefitting the Red Cross
Blood Bank – by working with the Penn
State-Pitt blood challenge – then by raising
money for Centre County Special Olympics
through a "Bench-Press Challenge."
Brotherhood activities, both inside and outside
the chapter, were soon recognized. PA Theta won
the first of its Gold Stars in 1985. This Phi Delta
Theta Fraternity award recognized the chapter's
scholarship, along with its campus and
community activities, athletic success, and
general fraternity achievements. In 1986, the
chapter garnered the Omega Epsilon trophy,
awarded to Penn State's outstanding fraternity. IFC
sponsored this award which recognized a Penn
State fraternity's scholarship, campus, and
community activities.
On September 20, 1984, Richard S. Pirrotta was
initiated (Bond #1140).
Starting in 1985, the undergraduate brothers
proceeded on their own initiative to raise money for
the restoration of the portico that had been removed
in 1979. The idea for this restoration had been
conceived in 1981, and the actual campaign was
eventually begun and headed by Pillar Fund
chairman Michael J. Ciafone '87 (Bond #1157).
Through a combination of raffles, in-house fund-
raising events, chapter member assessments ($10
per semester) and alumni solicitations, the
campaign – with John Mannino '89 (Bond #1159)
and Chris Zalewski '89 (Bond #1181) as the final
chairmen – eventually collected over $15,000
[$25,340 in 2004 dollars], only one-third of which
was from alumni contributions. Eventually, each
undergraduate brother contributed $40 per semester
for an average contribution by them of
approximately $100 each. The difference between
the amount raised by the chapter and the actual
construction cost, $26,423 [$44,644 in 2004
dollars], was covered by the alumni corporation,
and the portico was rebuilt in 1988.
Over 100 PA Theta alumni – plus Inez Packer –
had made voluntary contributions to the Pillar
Fund, and to recognize all those and others a brass
plaque was installed under the portico near the front
door with the inscription:
ΦΔΘ
With highest honor and dignity, the PA Theta
Chapter of Phi Delta Theta commemorates these
pillars on November 4, 1989 in recognition of the
undying dedication and confidence of all the
actives, alumni, and friends of PA Theta who made
this dream a reality.
All for one and one for all.
On October 25, 1985, Frank Schwab '55 was
initiated into Phi Delta Theta, approximately 30
years after pledging PA Theta. This delay had
been caused by military service and Frank's
subsequent enrollment at the University of
Pittsburgh to finish his BS degree. At the time
Frank was initiated, his son, Bradley Schwab '84
(Bond #1081), was a member of PA Theta. Thus,
Brad had a lower Bond number than Frank, his
father (Bond #1158).
In 1987, PA Theta won multiple awards,
including Greek Week and Homecoming
competitions, and again received Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity's Gold Star Award and the IFC Omega
Epsilon Award.
In return for a utility easement across PA Theta's
front lawn, Penn State agreed to install a new
sanitary sewer line from the chapter house to the
sewer main on Burrowes Road and also install a
separate six-inch water line, which would be
dedicated for the use of a fire-suppressant
sprinkler system. The need for such a safety
feature in an 80-year-old wooden structure was
obvious, and it was anticipated that installation of
sprinkler systems in all Penn State fraternities
would be mandated in the near future.
In 1987, Edward R. Hintz, Jr. '59 was named a
Distinguished Alumnus of the University.
Spring Week Parade Float
Phi Delta Theta & Alpha Tau Omega
PA Theta undergraduate members were
interviewed in 1987 by a Centre Daily Times
reporter, in preparation for an extensive article
featuring kitchen manager Inez Packer. Inez was
considered to be a very special part of Phi Delta
Theta at Penn State, and it was generally agreed she
had held the chapter to high standards through
some very critical and troublesome years and also
some very good years.
[Note: The Centre Daily Times article, when
published, included a 6.25" by 8.5" color photo of
Inez holding a full tray of her appetizing meal-of-
the-day – including desserts – while she received a
kiss on the cheek from a chapter member. The
article ran almost 60 column-inches and was
headlined, "She's Mom to the Phi Delts."]
She was considered to be a mother to some, a
mentor to others and a disciplinarian to
everyone. She was an enticement for rushees
and – because of her ability to serve three tasty,
square meals each day – was responsible for
maintaining near maximum occupancy of the
chapter house for many years.
Homecoming 1988 included a hot tub on the front
lawn and “assorted beverages.”
In both 1988 and 1989, the chapter's community
service activity was a day-long cleanup at Centre
Furnace Mansion, the birthplace of Penn State.
[Note: Centre Furnace Mansion is located at the
intersection of East College Avenue and Porter
Road, downhill from Beaver Stadium and next to
the present-day (2004) Hampton Inn on College
Avenue. Built before 1850, the mansion is currently
headquarters of the Centre County Historical
Society, but was originally the residence of Moses
Thompson and several other ironmasters in the
village known as Centre Furnace, a pig-iron
producing community established long before
either Penn State or the town of State College. The
Centre County Historical Society's depiction of the
birth of The Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania
is as follows:
"In 1851, a small group of gentlemen farmers
created the Pennsylvania Agricultural Society
with two objectives: to hold a Farm Fair every
January in Harrisburg and to establish a school
for farmers. A local chapter of the Society had
already formed in Centre County with a large
membership of prominent area businessmen,
including James Irvin and Moses Thompson,
then owners of Centre Furnace. Irvin and
Thompson offered to donate 200 acres of
furnace farm land and to join with Andrew
Gregg Curtin, Hugh Nelson McAllister, and
other prominent county citizens on a $10,000
note for the school. Despite competition from
six other counties, the offer was accepted and
Centre County was selected for the location
of the new Farmers High School."
Many of the meetings relating to this were held in
Centre Furnace Mansion, and Moses Thompson
later acted as treasurer of the new school until
1874. Eventually, a total of 400 acres of land was
donated, roughly bounded by present-day
Atherton Street, Park Avenue, Shortlidge Road,
and College Avenue. This land constituted Penn
State's inaugural campus and encompassed
Fraternity Plot #3, which PA Theta bought on
December 15, 1905.
After a several-year period in which PA Theta’s
academic standing had declined significantly, it
placed 6th among all fraternities in 1989.
The bench press contest to benefit Centre County
Special Olympics was won by PA Theta, which
raised $9,213.
In 1990, David King '93 (Bond #1227), deemed
the "Sand Chairman," established the sand
volleyball court on the north lawn, the Pollock
Road side of the house. This court proved to be
extremely popular with the undergraduate
members of the chapter.
1991-2000
The collegiate and military life of H. Edward
Wagner '41, a World War II casualty (see 1941-
1950), was featured in an article in Town &
Gown, a local State College magazine.
In October 1991, the College of Engineering
named Herbert C. Graves III ‘50 (Bond #514) an
Outstanding Engineering Alumnus, the highest
honor bestowed by the College. He also served on
the executive board of Penn State Alumni Council.
More chapter members in their junior and senior
years elected to live outside the house, and
occupancy dropped to under 50%, resulting in
reduced rental revenues paid by the undergraduate
chapter to the alumni corporation. The chapter's
mortgage was refinanced and increased to provide
funds for increasingly excessive repairs, and it
became obvious that something must be done to
improve the physical plant. A 1994 feasibility
study, performed by a professional fund-raising
consulting firm – Dorris and Associates,
Indianapolis IN – indicated that PA Theta alumni
would contribute at least $650,000 [$812,000 in
2004 dollars] to a capital campaign for the purpose
of renovating the chapter house. A three-phase
program with an $800,000 budget [$1,000,000 in
2004 dollars] was developed to perform only
essential elements, not a complete renovation.
In February 1995, Dorris and Associates was
contracted to begin making initial alumni contacts
for the capital campaign; however, it failed to start
until August. Ultimately, Dorris completed fewer
than ten effective alumni contacts which, when
combined with a number of spontaneous responses,
resulted in pledges totaling $273,450 [$332,364 in
2004 dollars]. Unfortunately for PA Theta, many
of those pledges were never honored or
consummated.
At an expenditure of approximately $200,000
[$236,070 in 2004 dollars], Phase-One renovation
work in 1996 included installation of a) fire
suppressant sprinkler system, b) central-station fire
alarm system, c) smoke detectors in all rooms, d)
hallway entrances for all study/sleep rooms
(housing code requirement), e) new lighting
fixtures in all study/sleep rooms, f) outward
opening doors with panic hardware in dining room
and card room (housing code requirement), g) new
electric outlets where necessary, and h) television
and telephone lines into all study/sleep rooms.
It also included a) removal of all drop-ceilings
installed in the 1960s renovations (a fire code
requirement), b) raising and strengthening the
chapter room ceiling (partially resolving a
problem created decades ago by the removal of a
load-bearing wall in the middle of the chapter
room), c) repair of the main steam valve, d)
upgrading of the domestic water system, and e)
repair or replacement of many defective
plumbing fixtures.
Dorris and Associates eventually ceased all
business operations in July 1996, and the capital
campaign for major renovation of the chapter
house halted.
On December 12, 1996, Vance Packard '36
passed away at his Martha's Vineyard home.
From 1946 to 1989, he had written 10 books. His
first was How to Pick a Mate; A Guide to a
Happy Marriage, and his last was The Ultra
Rich: How Much is Too Much?
William L. Weiss '51 and his wife contributed $4
million to Penn State for The William L. and
Josephine Berry Weiss Graduate Scholars
Program and the Special Initiative Fund in the
Libraries, scheduled to begin in the fall of 1997.
In addition to tuition and fees, engineering and
liberal arts scholars would receive an annual
stipend of at least $16,000. Brother Weiss had
previously funded a faculty endowment, The
William L. Weiss Chair in Information and
Communications Technology.
In 1997, Edward R. Hintz, Jr. '59 and his wife
donated $5 million for the conversion of
University House – the former residence of many
Penn State presidents – into Hintz Family Alumni
Center. University House was then being used for
official receptions and office space. When
renovated and enlarged, the center would serve as
a gathering place and information center for all
Penn State alumni. Ed Hintz and his wife
previously had made generous gifts to the School
of Music, the College of Health and Human
Development, and Penn State's Berks Campus.
On February 23, 1997, the General Council of
Phi Delta Theta Fraternity self-enacted – without
a vote by the membership – an "Alcohol-Free
Housing Policy," to be effective July 1, 2000, for
all Phi Delta Theta chapters. The policy was
absolute, meaning the presence of any alcohol on
any portion (grounds or building) of any chapter’s
real estate at any time would be a violation. Later
that same year, PSU President Graham Spanier
publicly declared alcohol as the #1 problem on the
University Park Campus.
In 1998, the first PA Theta Membership Directory
was published and distributed to all alumni by
Stewart Howe Alumni Service, State College PA.
In 1998: Former White House intern Monica
Lewinsky signs affidavit denying she had an affair
with President Bill Clinton; Osama bin Laden
publishes a fatwa declaring jihad against all Jews.
In December of 1998, Inez
Packer was forced to retire
from her 22-year career
with PA Theta. The
previous winter, Inez had
surgery to remove some
cancerous cells and, after
that, the demands of her
multiple duties were more
than she felt she could handle.
Inez had quickly become a beloved component
of PA Theta. She became PA Theta's first true
kitchen manager – not just a cook – in addition
to her self-assumed roles as disciplinarian,
teacher, nurse, friend, housekeeper, and – when
demanded – public relations intermediary.
Early in her employment, Inez had
implemented a full set of standards including
a) the kitchen was locked from 6:30 p.m. to
7:00 a.m.; b) no milk between 11:00 a.m. and
5:30 p.m.; c) four types of breakfast cereal plus
French toast, pancakes, or eggs early every day;
d) cereal, juice, bagels, and English muffins
served to 11:00 a.m.; e) no swearing in front of
her; and f) no bare feet in the kitchen.
She was famous for her mud pie made with an
Oreo cookie crust, coffee ice cream, and a
topping of Hershey fudge, Cool Whip, and
crushed nuts. For those students who didn't
like coffee ice cream, Inez spoiled them by
making two additional pies, one with vanilla
and one with chocolate.
Lunches with a variety of soups plus chili
dogs, tacos, sloppy Joes, cheesesteaks, tuna
salad, cold cuts, or BLTs were common, but
dinner favorites were London broil, beef
burgundy, roast turkey, roast beef, veal
cordon bleu, beef stroganoff, or stuffed
chicken. A common question by alumni at
every Homecoming dinner – when Inez
would routinely serve over 200 meals – was,
"Do you guys eat like this all the time?" and
the students' answers were always a
resounding "Yes!"
Inez was invited back to attend the November
6, 1999, Homecoming dinner, at which time a
group of recently-graduated brothers
presented her with a silver tray, engraved
with their best wishes and extolling her
virtues. She also received personal letters
from many alumni and a check for over
$8,000 from donations to The Inez Packer
Gift Fund by dozens of PA Theta alumni, but
mostly by class members from 1977 to 1999,
the ones she considered to be "her boys" and
to whom she was "Mom."
The check was presented by Alumni
corporation president Thomas L. Smith '54
and was accompanied by a "Corporate
Resolution" document declaring;
"Whereas, Inez Packer has completed over
twenty years of service for the benefit of the
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of Phi Delta
Theta Fraternity, and Whereas, during those
years, Inez Packer has performed her duties
as Kitchen Manager in exemplary fashion,
and Whereas, Inez Packer additionally acted
as House Mother, Policy Enforcer,
Confidant, Confessor, Arbitrator, Financial
Watchdog, Purchasing Agent, Maintenance
Supervisor and Public Relations
Intermediary; Therefore, Inez Packer is
presented with these letters of praise and love
from "her boys" and a gift from the entire
alumni and undergraduate membership of
Pennsylvania Theta of Phi Delta Theta that,
unfortunately, cannot fully express our true
appreciation for what she gave to us."
Inez W. Packer, age 82, passed away Monday,
February 21, 2011, at Mount Nittany Medical
Center, State College PA.
For the spring 2000 semester, Virginia Smoyer was
hired as kitchen manager to take the position
previously held by Inez Packer.
In a manner similar to the establishment of
"Walkertown" in 1968, members of an unofficial
student group urged Penn State to join the Worker
Rights Consortium by camping out on Old Main
lawn in approximately 20 tents. The group's main
purpose was opposition to overseas apparel
factories practicing sweatshop conditions.
On July 1, 2000, the Alcohol-Free Housing Policy
was effective and all Phi Delta Theta chapters went
"dry." At Homecoming in October, PA Theta’s
alumni membership made clear its collective
opinion of the Alcohol-Free Housing Policy when
only five alumni returned to the house for the
traditional dinner.
The alumni corporation officers were directed, by a
vote at the membership meeting, to ask PSU if it
continued to have interest in the purchase of PA
Theta's real estate.
In October 2000, Herbert C. Graves III ‘50 was
named an Alumnus Fellow by Penn State Alumni
Association.
[Note: During his career, Brother Graves spent 25
years with Textron, Inc. (president of four
manufacturing companies: Gibson Puerto Rico,
Gibson Electric, Polaris Industries, and Talon Co.
In 1975 he joined Allegheny International, where
he held the positions of president of True Temper,
corporate vice president, and corporate group vice
president. In 1988, he was named chairman,
president and CEO of Freedom Forge Corp.]
2001-2004
In 2001, Penn State inquired several times about
the possible purchase of PA Theta's property.
The alumni board responded by outlining all
alternatives – renovate, rebuild, sell, or continue
as is – and continued to study all possibilities.
A mail survey indicated that few alumni would
attend the 2001 Homecoming dinner and, as a
result, no alumni dinner was scheduled.
In April 2002, Penn State requested another
easement across PA Theta's front lawn to install
utilities necessary for the Information Sciences
and Technology (IST) Building, planned to be
built immediately behind and alongside the
chapter house and extending across Atherton
Street with a total length exceeding 1000 feet.
As compensation for the easement, which
was granted by PA Theta, Penn State agreed
to renovate the chapter house's parking areas
– including paving, concrete curbing, painted
lines, and shielding fences or shrubbery.
July 2002
Construction of the $60 million IST Building
commenced in summer of 2002.
2002
In mid-2003, Penn State Assistant Vice President
for Finance and Business Dan Sieminski reiterated
PSU's interest in purchasing the PA Theta real
estate.
With his latest publication being Guide to the
Homes of Famous Pennsylvanians (2003), Arthur
Miller Jr. '47, continued to write long after his 1988
retirement.
In May 2003, Penn State announced a $2 million
gift from Edward R. Hintz, Jr. '59 and his wife
toward construction of the new Smeal College of
Business building, scheduled for groundbreaking in
September 2003 and with a projected cost of $68
million. The courtyard plaza of the building was to
be named The Edward R. and Helen Skade Hintz
Plaza.
During the summer of 2003, the flag pole – which,
over the past 70 years, had finally leaned too much
– was replaced. This project was funded by class of
'52 members Jack Pickett (Bond #543), Richard
Wick (Bond #535), Harry Carrol Chapman (Bond
#536), Paul Trimmer (Bond #538), Frederick
Huston Jr. (Bond #539), Donald Duncan (Bond
#540), Gerald Hayes (Bond #544), Arthur Betts
(Bond #546), Edward Hoover (Bond #547), and
John Berry (Bond #548). New Phi Delta Theta and
American flags were also included.
In response to a long standing desire for better
identification for the PA Theta chapter house, 24”-
high Greek letters – ΦΔΘ – were donated by
Weston Holmes '59 and installed on the upper face
of the portico in September 2003.
2003
At the same time, Richard Chivaroli '77 (Bond
#979) arranged for a much needed coat of white
paint for the portico and then paid all the costs.
Chapter house occupancy hovered around 60%,
resulting in continued financial losses. At the
2003 Homecoming alumni membership meeting,
the alumni executive committee was authorized
and instructed to develop a plan considering the
options of 1) total renovation of the existing
chapter house, 2) demolition followed by
building a new house on the present site, 3) sale
of the property to a developer who would build a
new chapter house on the present site and rent it
to PA Theta, or 4) sale of the property to Penn
State, resulting in the relocation of PA Theta to
either an existing or a newly constructed chapter
house at a different site. This plan was to be
developed and implemented no later than the
spring 2004 alumni membership meeting.
Construction of IST Building was completed in
November 2003, and it became fully functional at
the beginning of the spring 2004 semester.
In January 2004, undergraduate chapter member
Adam Hampton (Bond #1398) – was tragically
killed in an automotive accident.
To enable the PA Theta directors to better
evaluate the financial aspects of a sale of the
chapter house, Penn State was asked to make a
specific proposal, and it responded with a formal
offer of $750,000.
With a firm, but inadequate, purchase offer
from Penn State, the alumni directors re-
calculated the chapter's needs – taking into
consideration its existing debt and the
anticipated costs of relocation – and
countered, in January 2004, with an offer to
sell for $1.25 million.
When PSU offered a total compensation of $1.05
million, but then later raised it to $1.1 million, the
directors reviewed the state of PA Theta's physical
plant, the chapter's occupancy rate, the fiscal
condition of both the undergraduate chapter and the
alumni corporation, and concluded that sale of PA
Theta's real estate was appropriate and the most
responsible action to take.
PSU's offer – $800,000 for the purchase of the
real estate and an additional $300,000 as
compensation for the many and varied expenses
resulting from the sale and the relocation of the
chapter – was accepted in principle, and an
agreement of sale was executed. The Penn State
Board of Trustees approved the purchase on
March 19, 2004.
On May 7-9, 2004, PA Theta Chapter of Phi Delta
Theta Fraternity celebrated its 100th anniversary
with several open-house mixers at the chapter
house, a guided bus tour of the Penn State campus,
plus a brunch and banquet at the State College
Ramada Inn and Conference Center.
During banquet ceremonies conducted by
Frederick Huston Jr.'52, 26 alumni received
Silver Legion pins – for 25 years of
membership – and 19 additional brothers
received Golden Legion pins and certificates –
for 50 years of membership. Also, the class of
’54 was recognized as having the most brothers
in attendance and having the most active
alumni class by having had seven biennial
reunions, commencing in 1991.
The Centennial Celebration speakers included PA
Theta alumni corporation president Thomas L.
Smith '54, PA Theta chapter president Paul Silber
'06 (Bond #1404), and Phi Delta Theta General
Council president Charlie Pride (KY Eta, Western
Kentucky, '87).
Notwithstanding numerous cycles of highs and
lows, Pennsylvania Theta had grown and prospered
during its first 100 years as a chapter of Phi Delta
Theta. Although founded as a social fraternity,
scholarship and leadership were always held in
high regard and were acutely cultivated.
Phi Delta Theta’s open motto, EiV avnp oudeiV
avnp [pronounced Eis aner oudeis aner], means
"We enjoy life by the help and society of others."
It is still applicable today, and its significance in
2004 is more meaningful than ever.
Equally appropriate is the inscription on the
plaque mounted decades ago over the fireplace of
Pennsylvania Theta's 1906-2004 chapter house:
The true member of Phi Delta Theta
exemplifies the Bond; In friendship sincere;
as a brother devoted; in honor aspiring to
the noblest culture; with conduct unblemished;
revering God. All for one, one for all.
As a century is closed for Pennsylvania Theta
Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity, it is with
great dignity we say, PROUD TO BE A PHI!
EPILOGUE: 2004 – 2010
At a special membership meeting on May 11,
2004, Randal C. Thompson '83 and Jeffrey B.
Fisher '76 (Bond #918) were appointed by the
directors of The Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of
the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity (our alumni
corporation) to fill two currently vacant director
positions. As a direct consequence of the passage
of a motion at the meeting to oppose the sale of
the PA Theta chapter house to Penn State,
directors Thomas L. Smith '54, David N. Thiel
'65, John C. "Jack" Cosgrove, Jr. '38, and Regis
M. Cleary '68 submitted their resignations, to be
effective May 13, 2004. Director A. O. "Bud"
Thomas '49 (Bond #476) stated he would like to
remain as a director.
On May 17, a Petition to Review Contested
Corporate Action – with PA Theta Chapter
Advisor William W. Corbett, Jr. '88 (Bond
#1145) as Petitioner – was filed in The Court of
Common Pleas of Centre County, Pennsylvania.
The named Respondents were: Thomas Smith,
John Cosgrove, Jr., David Thiel, Herbert Graves,
and Augustus O. Thomas, in their capacities as
Directors of The Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of
the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity [the alumni
corporation], and The Pennsylvania Theta
Chapter of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity [the
active chapter].
The petition asked the court to declare invalid
and unlawful all actions taken by the board of
directors after the October 2003 annual
corporation meeting relating to negotiations to
sell the PA Theta chapter house to Penn State,
including the sale agreement itself which had
been executed on March 10, 2004.
The petition also claimed the respondents had
not followed the instructions contained in a
motion made and approved during the
October 4, 2003, alumni corporation
membership meeting and thus did not have
the authority to negotiate such a sale nor to
execute a sale agreement.
The five respondents named in the petition – four
ex-directors and one current director – decided
against making any defensive response to the
petition, but Penn State asked for the court's
permission to intervene and make a response in
opposition to the petition, and the court approved
its request. Nevertheless, on July 14, Centre County
President Judge Charles C. Brown, Jr. declared the
sale of the property to Penn State to be null and
void, stating that it violated Sections 5757 and 5930
of the Pennsylvania Nonprofit Corporation Law of
1988.
On July 11, 2004, Randal Thompson '83 was
elected president and treasurer of The
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of the Phi Delta
Theta Fraternity, the alumni corporation.
THREE PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS on LIFE at PA THETA
MY PHI DELTA THETA EXPERIENCE — By Augustus O. "Bud" Thomas '49 (Bond #476)
I entered the last regular [war-time] summer semester
held at Penn State following graduation from John
Harris High School in Harrisburg in 1945. I rented a
room downtown when I began, but was soon rushed
by Phi Delt Tom Smith [Thomas C. Smith '46, not
Thomas L. Smith '54]. I presume my acceptable
scholastic grades and the fact that I played football,
basketball, and track had an influence.
A consultation with my father about the cost of joining
a fraternity ensued, and since the expenses would not
be a lot higher, I received permission to join, if that
was what I really wanted to do. It was not very long
until a class of six pledges was formed by the three
brothers who returned and opened the house that
summer, after the Navy V-12 program ended. [Editor's
Note: All Penn State fraternities had been used during
World War II to house U. S. Armed Forces trainees.
Trainees going through the Navy's V-12 program were
housed in the PA Theta chapter house.]
The pledge program was considerably different in
1945 than today. Our first project was to design a
layout and paint it on our pledge paddle; I still have
my paddle. It was 27 inches long by 3½ inches wide
and 7/16 inches thick. The handle could be gripped by
one or two hands for a full swing. It was used! We
pledges also did chores of various kinds about the
fraternity house and "got it" when we goofed.
Obviously, I did not join just to be hazed. However,
after this first semester, it soon became apparent that
living in a fraternity house was just right. It provided
many very close, lasting friendships within the 45
brothers and pledges living in the house. I'm sure this
would never have happened living in a room or
apartment in town. Not only that, but the other
students and class-mates were available to answer
questions and to study with for various classes. The
esprit de corps within the fraternity was nothing less
than wonderful.
My experience was somewhat unique. The ex-GI' s
were returning by the multitude, having been enrolled
at Penn State prior to entering the military service.
Thus, I was a 17-year-old kid living among men who
averaged about 25 years of age.
Thomas C. Smith '46, one of the bothers who reopened
the house in 1945, suggested that I go out for lacrosse
as it was a great sport and he was on the team. I asked
him, "What is lacrosse?" as I had never heard of it.
Well, it ended as my substitute for the rough and
tumble of football. In fact, another lacrosse player and
I went out for football in 1946. At least we made the
attempt, but the doctor was never in for our physical,
and then the equipment manager was never available
for pads and uniform. By that time, the team had been
practicing for three weeks and the idea became mute.
What do I remember? For one, I have a warm feeling
every time I think of my best friend Jim "Healthy"
Herzog; we were a Mutt and Jeff pair. And, I can't
forget my special roommate, John McCleary, who also
played lacrosse. We participated in each other's
weddings. Then there was Steve Fritch, also an
electrical engineer student, who was a Federal
Communication Commission licensed amateur radio
operator. He installed his radio equipment in the
penthouse, and the antenna was strung from the roof. I
was amazed watching him operate in code on the radio
and carry on a conversation with me at the same time.
I was really impressed by him, and eventually I
became a licensed amateur (KC3Q) and to this day
operate only by Morse code.
I learned to play bridge during free periods from
classes, when others like Danny Reese and Bruce Ross
needed a fourth in the card room. I got to know some
girls, because several of the brothers seemed to know
hundreds of sorority members.
Intramural sports among the fraternities were fun. Phi
Delta Theta was well represented, and usually among
the top standing at the end of the season. I also
remember getting a "numb bottom from sitting on the
wooden bleachers at Rec Hall through a gymnastics
match, a wrestling match, and finally a basketball
game.
Drinking was not the problem it is today at colleges
and universities. Binge drinking was not heard of. On
the basis of an average age of male students being 3 to
5 years older than normal, and especially with life
experiences far beyond their years, it was common to
have a beer party on Saturday nights. These were held
in the basement rec-room; I don't remember and can't
comment on drunkenness, mostly because I was
usually in bed shortly after midnight and didn't hear
any stories the next day. Other members in those years
may be able to tell you more!
Several special dances were held at the Phi Delt house
during the year with a sorority being an equal
participant. I have lost the specific details over the few
years since graduation in 1949.
House rules then were also greatly different from those
of today. We had a house mother. And, females were
never allowed above the first floor; my mother never
viewed my room! If any sex was enjoyed, it must have
been very discretely accomplished, but I don't
personally know of such incidents taking place.
Phi Delt members represented the fraternity in about
every campus organization (excluding all-female
ones). Because of such representation, the Phi Delta
Theta fraternity was well known and respected with a
good reputation among the top fraternities, of which
there were about 50 at Penn State.
At the beginning of each year, brothers chose their
room by class seniority. A quiet atmosphere was
required above the first floor during week nights, and
excess noise brought the guilty member a monetary
fine.
Was belonging to Phi Delta Theta fraternity a good
move? Without a doubt! Are there any long-lasting
feelings associated with the fraternity? Yes, very fond
memories of good friends resulted. What was the
overall attitude of the members living in the house? It
was a congenial and enthusiastic group of students
living together for one to four years of college. Would
I repeat the experience? Yes.
PENNSYLVANIA THETA REMEMBERED — By Edwin H. Seiling '56 (Bond #604)
As I look back (way back) on my four years at PSU
from 1952 to 1956, there is no doubt in my mind that
fraternity life was a positive influence for me and most
of the others at Pennsylvania Theta. We were a diverse
group that bonded during our years at PSU and all
contributed to the success of the chapter as well as
each other.
Most were just average in academics, but the best in
intramural athletics; and maybe some of the trophies
are still there.
WHO CAN FORGET:
The Chimes and Lineups — Reciting each brother's
full name, fraternity facts, and waiting for the
announcement that "The eagle has s--t" (the start of
Hell Week).
Hell Week — All13 of us [pledges] sleeping (maybe
an hour each night) on the top floor with a mattress on
the floor. Painting the house and raiding the beer
supply when the brothers were asleep (nobody kept
track of the quart cases). Navy "boot camp" was
easier.
Social Activities — Miami Triad, spaghetti dinners
with sororities, the formal Christmas dance and the
champagne run to Maryland, with the brutal hangover
the next day. Friday and Saturday night parties with
bands and piano entertainment by Bill Edgeworth. I
think one of the bands was Dan Grove's group.
Drinking "stubs" when the kegs had kicked, and no
one wanted to go to bed.
Initiation — The ceremony when you became a
brother, and your first time in the chapter room, and
you could now use the front door of the house.
Meals — Sitting at the head of the table when you
were a senior. Every time Hap Irvin sat at the head and
we had soup, he found a hair in it and sent it back. I
never found out, but I'll bet Marie dumped it back in
the pot. Hoagies for dinner Sunday night, if you had
the money.
Finances — House bills of $90 per month, including
social dues. Cigarettes at 25 cents a pack in the
machine (using slugs at the end of the month before
next month's allowance). Mailing the laundry box
home. Riding the bus to and from Pittsburgh.
Fraternity life in the 50s was a great experience at
PSU, and I'm glad I had the chance to be a part of it.
We were responsible students with a goal of getting a
good education for the years ahead and broadening our
social skills through membership in Phi Delta Theta.
THE HENRY FAMILY CONNECTION and OTHER MEMORIES — By Richard G. Henry '68 (Bond #805)
My name is Rick Henry – Richard G. Henry, PSU '68,
Bond #805, and a third generation Phi at PA Theta.
My grandfather, John Thompson Henry, most often
called by his initials ("JT") or his nickname ("Hi") was
initiated on December 9, 1904 (Bond #27) and was a
member of The Pennsylvania State College class of
1908. He had three sons who were all graduates of
Penn State and also members of PA Theta: my father,
(James) Beatty Henry '39 (Bond #368), and my two
uncles, John C. Henry '42 (Bond #390) and Robert M.
Henry '45 (Bond #420). In addition to those from the
Henry family, another relative who was a PA Theta
Phi was my grandmother's brother, Samuel H.
Carothers '18 (Bond #112).
My grandfather owned a farm and other land nine
miles west of State College, which began at the top of
Bald Eagle Mountain – locally known as Sky Top
mountain – and stretched across the Bald Eagle Valley
toward Black Moshannon State Park and to the
southwest to Port Matilda. [Editor's Note: For over 10
years following World War II, Hi Henry permitted the
PA Theta members to cut hemlock boughs from the
forested portions of his land to use as decorations for
the chapter's annual Christmas dinner/dance. Each
year, several – or more – truckloads of branches were
needed to frame the inside and outside of the main
entranceway plus completely cover all the wood trim
surrounding the openings between all first-floor
rooms.]
As a small child, I have vivid memories of his ritual
that we all participated in during our visits to his home
on Sundays. After a huge farm breakfast, we went to
church in Port Matilda, then traveled to State College
for lunch at Autoport, went the Penn State Creamery
for ice cream cones, walked through the cow barns (at
that time directly across Shortlidge Road from the
Creamery) and then to the Phi Delt house "to say 'Hi'
to the boys." Not a bad way to get a young lad
interested in attending an institution of higher learning.
At PA Theta, our pledge class prank was stealing the
dining room tables. They were badly in need of
refinishing, and we took them to Barry Slagle's
parents' home in State College and began to work on
them. As one can imagine, between time spent on
classes, sports team practices, and pledge duties, it
took over a week to refurbish and return the tables.
This also increased our pledge duties, as we were
forced to become waiters serving the brothers' meals in
the basement party room until the dining room tables
were returned.
One spring Friday afternoon, the Phi Delt pledges
from PA Epsilon (Dickinson College, Carlisle PA)
"kidnaped" a brother of theirs, brought him to PA
Theta, handcuffed him to a living room radiator and
left. It just so happened to be Miami Triad weekend.
We cut off his cuffs, got him dates for both the Friday
night and Saturday afternoon Dixieland jam sessions,
and also for the Saturday night formal, and our fellow
Phi from Dickinson had the weekend of his life.
The biggest social events every year were the Bowery
Ball and Miami Triad. It was wonderful that the
Miami Triad houses – Beta Theta Pi, Phi Delt Theta,
and Sigma Chi – were all in a row on Burrowes Road.
I believe that the Sigma Chi house was torn down the
summer of 1968. Also, the porches on both sides of
our house were removed the summer of 1967. They
had provided endless enjoyment. They provided a
shelter for ping pong after dinner, watching students
traveling Burrowes Road, or watching the stars with
your date on a party evening. The porch roofs also
provided a vantage point for sunbathing, launching
water balloon attacks, and playing pranks from the
outside on unsuspecting brothers in other rooms.
I believe the Sigma Nu house was gutted by fire in
1966. Everyone got safely out of the house, but their
house mother went back into the house to make sure or
to retrieve something, was overcome by smoke, and
was later found dead in the dining room.
In 1967, the University had a rule requiring a
housemother in the house whenever University coeds
were present. Mom (Arminta) Kerr was the full time
housemother at PA Theta for years and lived in the
house in a small studio apartment with an annoying
Chihuahua dog named Pat. When the University
abolished its rule mandating housemothers, the
elimination of Mom Kerr's position became a cost-
saving measure.
In the spring of my sophomore year, 1964-65, we had
50 brothers living in the house, and the house was at
capacity the entire time I was there. But, we had a
disproportionate number of varsity athletes in the
house during those years, and I believe that both house
management and our chapter participation in intra-
fraternity and campus activities may have suffered due
to the demands on their time.
Bibliographical and Personal
Acknowledgments:
Various historical facts and descriptions of
incidents included in this document were
provided by or adapted from:
• Alumni of Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of Phi
Delta Theta Fraternity
• Other Alumni of The Pennsylvania State
University
• Citizens of State College and Centre County
• The Quarterly published by Pennsylvania Theta
Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
• The Sword and Shield published by
Pennsylvania Theta Chapter of Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity
• The Phi News published by Pennsylvania Theta
Chapter of Phi Delta Theta Fraternity
• The Scroll published by Phi Delta Theta
Fraternity
• From Six At First by Walter E. Havighurst
(Ohio Wesleyan '23)
• History of The Pennsylvania State College by
Wayland F. Dunaway
• Penn State an illustrated history by Michael
Bezilla
• Story of the Century by Jo Chesworth
• Town & Gown published by The Barash Group
• The Centre County Historical Society
• Penn State Paterno Library, University
Archives, Special Collections