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

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