“The history of any Beta chapter is made up of triumphs and tragedies, of successes and failures. . . . the histories of two chapters are never exactly alike.”
Ken has been working, formally and informally, with many of the eastern Canadian chapters for more than 25 years, including four years as chief of District XXXVIII. Ken taught high school in Elliot Lake, Ont., for 32 years and was active in many community organizations there. Since retiring in 2010, Ken has lived in Woodstock Ont., much closer to his home chapter of Toronto. He enjoys having more time for writing, blogging and travel. He now serves as ritual advisor to the Carleton chapter, and in his “spare time” holds the volunteer position of vice president of Theatre Ontario.
Jacket art: Jenna Noah, graphic designer, Beta Theta Pi. Printed in U.S.A. in 2013 by Alliance Printing & Mailing Services. All rights reserved.
Accordingly, the Foundation is grateful to Ken Stephen, Toronto ’77, for authoring another treasure in the library of Beta books. Sons of the Northern Stars explores the rich history of Beta’s Canadian chapters through personal accounts and anecdotes. As with every generation, it is important and critical that significant resources are invested in actively developing the young leaders of tomorrow. The Beta Theta Pi Foundation is proud of its unique role and historic partnership in helping the larger Fraternity achieve its important mission, vision and ever-evolving goals. For information on how one can best personally advance the efforts of the Beta Foundation, please contact an Administrative Office staff member in Oxford at 800.800.BETA or www.betathetapi.org.
STEPHEN
To purchase a copy of Sons of the Northern Stars, contact the Beta Theta Pi Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio: 800.800.BETA.
The Beta Theta Pi Foundation plays an instrumental role in “developing men of principle for a principled life.” Primary funder of the Men of Principle initiative since its inception in 1998, the Foundation plays a key role in the success of the Fraternity by securing, investing and allocating generous donor gifts to leadership and educational programs that serve the Fraternity’s members and constituents – ones with noteworthy, effective, proven results.
SONS OF THE NORTHERN STARS
A proud Toronto Beta, Ken served his chapter as recorder for two years and attended the 137th General Convention in 1976 as chapter delegate. In the years since he has attended 28 more conventions (27 of them consecutive.)
In 19 0 6, t he T het a Z et a Chapter at the Universit y of Toronto received its charter, becoming the f irst chapter of Beta Theta Pi to emerge in Canada. Upon the accomplishments of the Theta Zeta Chapter, the idea of expansion was ever present amidst students on other Canadian campuses. Yet, for the next three decades, Theta Zeta stood proudly, but remained the lone chapter. As years passed, new chapters were chartered, while others failed to become more than a colony. There is a value in knowing one’s heritage; lessons to be learned, memories to be shared and bonds to be created. This extensive a ntholog y of a necdotes a nd stories will keep the reader enthralled and entertained. Sons of the Northern Stars is the fi rst comprehensive history of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. Detailing more than 100 years of Beta brotherhood in Canada, it adds meaning and significance regarding the special contributions of “Canadian Kai” to a Great and Good Fraternity: • The historic Toronto Chapter Fund and the story of Mike Malone, Toronto 1917 • Memorializing brothers lost through the difficulties of war; • British Columbia’s roster of Rhodes S c h o l a r s a n d d om i n a n c e i n t h e classroom and on the ball field; • Western Ontario’s loyal alumni, and the emergence of four energetic new chapters in the ’80s/90s; • And what may be considered the greatest of contributions to Beta Theta Pi, that unique, inspiring Canadian Beta Spirit. What began as a 75th anniversary tribute to the author’s own chapter, Sons of the Northern Stars symbolizes a 33-year research and story-telling project that adds additional depth to the library of treasured Beta books. And for that, the Fraternity is especially grateful to Ken Stephen, Toronto ’77.
Sons of the Northern Stars A History of Beta Theta Pi in Canada Kenneth S. Stephen, Toronto ’77
SonS of the northern StarS First Edition Copyright 2013 by Beta Theta Pi Fraternity 5134 Bonham Road, Oxford, Ohio 45056
All Rights Reserved
Published by The Beta Theta Pi Foundation 2013 Printing by Alliance Printing Middletown, Ohio
This book is dedicated to the memory of a great Canadian Beta
— OWEN STEPHEN WILLIAMS — Toronto ’50 Renowned for his decades of work as chapter counsellor and house corporation president in Toronto, Owen also played a significant part in the story of each of the other chapters in Ontario and Quebec. In addition, he served for years on the boards of directors of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada and of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation in the United States. His dedication and loyalty to the Fraternity were an inspiration to all who knew him.
— Contents — Foreword The Right Honorable John N. W. Turner, British Columbia ’49 ix Author’s Note xi Acknowledgements xiii
Part I Beta Theta Pi in Canada An Overview 1. 2.
A Summary History of Beta Theta Pi in Canada A Canadian Beta Chronology
Part II University of Toronto Chapter The Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
Northern Star Rising 21 For King and Country 29 The First Twenty-Five Years are the Hardest 41 Steady Progress 49 The Best Years of Our Lives 57 The Great Housing Crisis 67 The Downhill Slide 77 Recovery 85 Growing Strong Again 97 Centennial 105
Part III University of British Columbia Chapter The Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19.
3 17
Sigma Alpha Phi The Struggle for Betahood Of Songfests and Conclaves Of Rhodes and Haussers Going it Alone We Did it Our Way Knox and Vancouver at 75
115 121 131 141 151 159 171
Contents
Part IV The University of Western Ontario Chapter The Delta Alpha of Beta Theta Pi 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25.
Kappa Tau Sigma The Mighty Brotherhood Triumphs A Tale of Two Houses Beta Life in London Crisis Management at Country Club U. The End of the Line
Part V
179 185 195 203 213 223
Brock University Colony
26. The Gallant Failure
229
Part VI University of Guelph Chapter The Epsilon Zeta of Beta Theta Pi 27. A Fresh Start at Last 28. Slow and Steady Progress 29. End of the Dream
235 245 253
Part VII McGill University Chapter The Epsilon Nu of Beta Theta Pi 30. Not the Labatt’s Frat 31. The String of Sissons 32. The End
259 269 279
Part VIII Bishop’s University Chapter The Epsilon Xi of Beta Theta Pi 33. Hard Work in the Corners 34. Tough Sledding 35. Defeat by Isolation
287 295 303
Part IX Carleton University Chapter The Epsilon Upsilon of Beta Theta Pi 36. History Repeats Itself 37. Getting a Grip on the First Principles 38. Battling Back Index
311 321 331 337
— Foreword — Although our Great and Good Fraternity has been represented in Canada for more than a century, this book is the first attempt to chronicle the entire story of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. Because the story has never been brought together in one place before, Beta brothers everywhere are going to learn a great deal from its pages. The history of any Beta chapter is made up of triumphs and tragedies, of successes and failures. Because a chapter is made up of individual men, the histories of two chapters are never exactly alike. Here we have no fewer than seven chapters, as well as one colony that didn’t successfully reach full chapter status. Each of these eight tales carries its own supply of interesting information and insights. There are lessons to be learned by brothers of every chapter in every corner of Beta’s Broad Domain. Within these covers, we are told the names and actions of many individual Beta brothers, each of whom did his part towards the building up of the Fraternity. For some, their part was tragically cut short. Others continued their service to Beta Theta Pi right up to the end of their lives. Some of their achievements were at the highest level of mutual endeavour. Others reflect the undoubted genius of college men for pranks and high-spirited fun. I believe that this well-researched book will appeal very much to Beta brothers across Canada. For myself, I found it full of anecdotes and history that captured my attention. My warm congratulations to Brother Ken Stephen.
— John N. W. Turner, British Columbia ’49 17th Prime Minister of Canada
— ix —
— Author’s Note — “This tale grew in the telling.” It’s a line familiar to all fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy The Lord of the Rings. Now, I’m no Tolkien, but the same statement is true of this book. I suppose it was bound to happen. After all, I started 33 years ago, in the summer of 1980, to produce a 75th anniversary history of Theta Zeta Chapter (University of Toronto). In October 1981, the 75th anniversary came and went, and the book wasn’t done. I’ve always been a procrastinator. Even as I missed that deadline, a new idea occurred to me. Since Theta Zeta was the senior Canadian chapter, why not make it a history of Beta Theta Pi in Canada? To be sure, I was adding two chapters to my task, but how hard could that be? Oh, these innocuous little ideas… In the mid-1980s, we started chartering new Beta chapters, across the whole of Beta’s Broad Domain, at a terrific clip. And Canada was no exception; in five years, from 1986 to 1991, we added four new chapters. And as if that wasn’t enough, I also learned about the almost-forgotten story of the Brock colony. The scale of the book project was swelling alarmingly! Those were the most exciting years of my Beta career. I was directly involved at or near the beginning of the growth of each of the chapters at Guelph, McGill, Bishop’s and Carleton, as well as giving some assistance to the Western Ontario chapter. With all this involvement, it was easy for me to develop a real affection for the men and the chapters they helped to create and develop. That affection was returned doubly (as is often the case with Beta Theta Pi), and three chapters — McGill, Western Ontario, and Bishop’s — granted me the accolade of an honorary number on their respective chapter rolls. Oddly, this close relationship with the chapters made the job of writing harder, as I had to balance my personal feelings against the need to be historically accurate. Then came the hard times. From 1996 to 2007, we shut four chapters in succession. Each closure was a hard hit for the Fraternity in Canada, and for me in particular. Hardest of all was the first closure, that of the McGill chapter, which occurred on my watch as chief of District XXXVIII. I had made many wonderful friends through McGill, and the loss of that once-promising brotherhood left a gaping hole in my Beta life. In a very real way, it was like a death in my family – I got past it but never truly got over it. With all these developments, the effort to bring this book to a conclusion became harder each year, and the time to finish it just refused to turn up. But in January 2010, I retired from my career as a high school teacher, and suddenly, the time was there. At the 2011 Convention, I had several meetings with key people and the timeline for finishing the project finally materialized. Here it is at last, brothers, and only a little more than three decades late! — xi —
I’ve tried to be as careful as possible about getting people’s names spelled correctly and other similar details. If any mistakes of fact are to be found here, it means I wasn’t careful enough. Likewise, if I left your name out of the list of people who helped me with this project, it wasn’t intentional. My apologies. There are many people I need to thank for their assistance and a complete list follows. In the end, though, the thanks really belong to every Beta I have ever met, from the day I was initiated (November 16, 1974) to this year. So many of them have taught me important life lessons, and their beneficent influence can be felt in every page I’ve written. So, brothers, my thanks to all of you!
Woodstock, Ontario, Canada April 2013
— xii —
— Acknowledgements — One of the things an author is supposed to say is that he couldn’t have done it alone. In my case, trying to work hundreds of miles removed from the scene of the action, this has been doubly true. The assistance and support I’ve received from all quarters has been highly gratifying. This assistance has been spread out over the entire 30-plus years that the completion of this book has taken. People have sent me letters, documents, files and binders of files. Other people have lugged boxes and folders of files in and out of filing cabinets and storage rooms. I’ve interviewed people at length, sometimes in awkward circumstances or at less-than-desirable times, and others have done the interviewing for me when I couldn’t do it myself. There have been a number of eager volunteers who have agreed to read sections of the manuscript for me. Personal words of support and urging have come from many quarters. So have numerous cups of coffee. Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53, nudged me into finally finishing this book and also undertook the task of preparing the index. The efforts of our wonderful professional communication staff in Oxford have been critical to bringing you this book in such a beautiful presentation. Jenna Noah’s work with graphics and layout and Martin Cobb’s backup role as editor have been equally important. This was especially so when the going got tough in the last year and both Jenna and Martin made sure I kept going! I’m also grateful to the Oxford staff generally for including me in the warm and friendly atmosphere of Brennan Hall on my several visits there. My thanks go to each of these people for their help and encouragement in making this book possible: Hagan Ainsworth, British Columbia ’91 Aaron Andersen, British Columbia ’01 Hamza Ayach, Carleton ’12 Stephen B. Becker, Florida ’69 Andrew Bevington, Carleton ’97 John Birkett, Western Ontario ’71 Phyllis Bowie Jonathan Brant, Miami ’75 Patrick Buchholz, McGill ’87 Scott Canning, British Columbia ’74 Adam Carson, Toronto ’97 Eric Eickhoff, Ohio Wesleyan ’00 Peter Floriani, Lehigh ’77 David Free, Toronto ’98 William Hair, Toronto ’41 — xiii —
Sholto Hebenton, British Columbia ’57 Byron Hender, British Columbia ’65 Jud Horras, Iowa State ’97 Bob Howard, DePauw ’37 Karl Innanen, Western Ontario ’88 Edward Janoch, Bowling Green ’83 Erv Johnson, Idaho ’53 David Kendell, McGill ’90 Sheldon Laporte, Carleton ’92 Bruce MacDonald, British Columbia ’79 Tom Marshall, Bishop’s ’89 Walter Massey II, MIT ’51 Rob McConnell, Toronto ’79 Ross McKenzie, Guelph ’85 Bowden McLean, Toronto ’39 Jim Mignault, Western Ontario ’83 Barstow Miller, Toronto ’19 Stuart Morcombe, Guelph ’95 B. Hume Morris, Centre ’68 Peter Neal, Bishop’s ’89 Stanley Neal, Toronto ’62 William Palm, Toronto ’61 Ross Peters, British Columbia ’58 Brandon Phay, McGill ’94 David Rae, British Columbia ’00 H. H. “Hi” Stephenson, Miami ’39 John Stephenson, Toronto ’81 Jim Strilesky, British Columbia ’72 Alan Telfer, Toronto ’19 Mary Tharp Will Thompson, Carleton ’99 Adam Turner, Western Ontario ’91 Paul van Riper, DePauw ’37 Brad Wamboldt, McGill ’89 Craig Watson, Carleton ’97 Carolyn White Owen Williams, Toronto ’50 Brad Wylie, Carleton ’91 Thanks are also due to the following organizations: Beta Theta Pi Administrative Office; Beta Theta Pi Foundation; Delta Alpha Chapter; Epsilon Nu Chapter; Epsilon Upsilon Chapter; Epsilon Xi Chapter; Epsilon Zeta Chapter; Gamma Omicron Chapter; Theta Zeta Chapter; Theta Zeta Corporation; Upper Canada Alumni Association — xiv —
PART I Beta Theta Pi in Canada An Overview
—1—
A Summary History of Beta Theta Pi in Canada The first Canadian chapter of Beta Theta Pi was established in 1906. At that time, the Fraternity itself was 67 years old, and had come through some stressful periods to a time of relative stability. The first expansion of Beta into Canada was something of an act of faith in the wider future of the Fraternity.
At this time, more than half of the U.S. states still had no Beta chapters on their campuses. Beta Theta Pi had settled on its definitive form of internal governance only a few years earlier. Many universities and colleges had sought Beta chapters, but had been told they must wait their turn. Why did Toronto receive approval from the 1906 Convention delegates? We may never know, because convention minutes are (of necessity) brief and not very detailed. Only the bare facts are recorded: the Theta Zeta Society of Toronto was granted a charter in 1906, at the 67th General Convention in Denver; all the other five applicants that year were refused. One thing we do know is that one Canadian charter did not lead to a rush of Canadian charterings. One other possibility was raised almost at once after Toronto was chartered: McGill University in Montreal. But this possibility was not pursued. Other suggestions for new chapters in Canada were equally passed over. Toronto remained the lone, but proud, Canadian chapter of Beta Theta Pi for the next three decades. This is not to suggest that Toronto was ignored — far from it. In fact, the next two General Conventions after the Toronto chartering were held at the Cataract Hotel in Niagara Falls, New York. Is it possible that this site was chosen as a nod to the new sister in the family? A few years later, in 1911, the Fraternity held its — 3 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
72nd General Convention in Canada, at the Clifton House Hotel in Niagara Falls, Ontario. It seems as though “the Falls” were popular among Beta brothers at that time! Only a few years later, the name of “Toronto” became a rallying cry for the entire Fraternity. The famous episode of the “Toronto Chapter Fund” made it possible for Beta Theta Pi to keep its Toronto chapter open throughout the First World War. It did much more than that for the Fraternity as a whole. For the first time, many brothers became fully aware of Beta Theta Pi as a fraternity with an international aspect. The Fraternity had been given a golden opportunity to demonstrate its motto through action. During the postwar years, the international nature of Beta was again reinforced with a whole series of annual General Conventions held in Canada. Beginning in 1925, the Betas met every second year in the Muskoka Lakes district of Ontario. These were the golden years of the first-class lakeside hostelries, and the Betas were not slow to take advantage. The 86th General Convention of 1925 was held at the deluxe Bigwin Inn on the Lake of Bays. The 88th General Convention in 1927 and the 90th General Convention in 1929 returned to the same site. In fact, six conventions would be held there altogether, and Bigwin ranks sixth in frequency among Beta convention sites. Only Mackinac Island, Cincinnati, Wooglin-on-Chautauqua, Oxford and Niagara Falls have been visited more often. This first-class resort was located on an island amid the many inlets, bays and channels that give the Lake of Bays its
These pictures of the Bigwin Inn appeared on the front and back covers of The Beta Theta Pi in the spring of 1966, before the last convention held there.
— 4 —
Beta Theta Pi in Canada
These pictures of the Bigwin Inn appeared on the front and back covers of The Beta Theta Pi in the spring of 1966, before the last convention held there.
evocative name. Convention-goers reached the site by motor launch from the south shore of the lake. Although it has been many years since Bigwin operated as a hotel, its large circular red-roofed pavilion at the water’s edge still dominates the view for many miles up and down the lake. In 1931, the Betas tried another lakeside resort, and the 92nd General Convention was called to order at the Royal Muskokan Hotel on nearby Lake Rosseau. There was then a gap of four years, before another Canadian site hosted the 96th General Convention. This time, the site was the Seigniory Club in Montebello, Quebec. Now known as the Fairmont Chateau Montebello, this massive fieldstone
Chateau Montebello lobby
— 5 —
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and timber chateau is set on the north shore of the Ottawa River, between Ottawa and Montreal. It features a multi-storey timber atrium lobby with a huge stone fireplace in the centre, which appears made to order for enthusiastic Beta singing. Since those arriving for this convention by rail came through either Montreal or Ottawa, one can’t help wondering if any of them pondered the chances of having a Beta chapter at a university in either of those cities. The following year, a second Canadian chapter was chartered. The long battle to place a chapter at the University of British Columbia actually began in the 1920s. A local society named Sigma Alpha Phi petitioned for chapter status. The men of Theta Zeta in Toronto strongly supported this petition, which says much for their desire to have more Beta brothers in Canada. They must have known that a west-coast chapter would have little or no contact with their chapter in Toronto, but that didn’t stop them. Even with support from Toronto, Washington and others, the UBC petition was turned down. In fact, some officers of the Fraternity went so far as to say that no expansion at all was planned, and the men from British Columbia had probably better look to some other major fraternity. But the UBC men wanted Beta, and wanted it very badly indeed. The campaign for chapterhood was continued into the 1930s. Finally in 1936, the anti-expansion sentiment had moderated just enough that the 97th General Convention voted a charter. The second Canadian chapter was the Gamma Omicron at the University of British Columbia. The men of Toronto had again supported the UBC petition, and were represented at the chartering dinner. Beyond that, though, prediction proved accurate and the newest chapter in Canada had no more than symbolic ties with her older sister to the east. The years of the Second World War brought no challenge as great as had faced the Toronto chapter in World War I. Both Canadian chapters had extensive lists of alumni to support them. Also, the Canadian government laid down an education plan which encouraged more men to remain in college until receiving their degrees before moving on to officer training. Although many U.S. chapters fell by the wayside during the war years, the Canadians were able to keep operating at a reduced level. After the Second World War was over, another local society at a Canadian university came forward to request a charter from Beta Theta Pi. This time, it was a near neighbour of the Toronto chapter at the University of Western Ontario in — 6 —
Beta Theta Pi in Canada
London, Ontario. There was one striking similarity to the UBC experience: the local fraternity at Western was told that no expansion was planned and that they had best look elsewhere for an international affiliation. Once again, though, the men from Western Ontario had a strong determination to accept nothing less than Beta. In this, they were supported by a number of Beta chapters in the region. The Toronto chapter, in particular, became an advisor and mentor to this new group of would-be Beta brothers. Once again, persistence was rewarded. After a tough campaign, the Western Ontario chapter was chartered in 1952 at the 113th General Convention. Significantly, this convention was again held at the Bigwin Inn, as had been the 111th Convention in 1950. There were now two Beta chapters in Ontario, near neighbours and close friends, and the brothers of both hoped that this trend might continue. In 1966, the 127th General Convention returned to Bigwin Inn. Alas, by this time,the gracious old resort was “losing its touch.” There were problems between the Fraternity and the hotel’s management and the 1966 Convention was the last to be held there. The hotel closed only a few years later, and was long gone by the time the Fraternity convened in Canada again. The longest gap in Canadian Beta growth lasted 34 years between charterings. As we will see, the use of charter dates as a yardstick is not completely fair, but it would still be many years after the Delta Alpha chartering before any further expansion in Canada would be considered. The anti-expansion sentiment continued in many quarters. After all, Beta was one of the stars of the fraternity world, in more ways than one. Beta brothers felt no need to prove their worth by mere size, and many feared that growth would actually dilute the Fraternity’s undoubted high quality. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Beta passed through one of the shaky periods in its history. All Greek letter societies were under siege at this time. Men who perceived fraternities as “elitist” social clubs shunned them. Canadian chapters weren’t immune to this trend. Plainly, it was no time to be seeking new chapters when so many old ones were in peril. Yet, there were Beta brothers who still saw expansion as desirable. In 1972, a student from Western Ontario transferred to the University of Windsor (with General Fraternity support) with a view to attempt colonization there. However, the climate was unfavourable and no further steps were taken. In 1978, a new venture saw a Beta colony established on the campus of Brock University in St. Catharines, — 7 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Ontario. The supporters came from Toronto and Western Ontario which had, for some years, been located in separate districts. The Brock development gave the impetus to unite them again, and the redistribution of districts in 1979 saw the first-ever creation of a district composed entirely of Canadian chapters, one Canadian colony along with Toronto and Western Ontario. District III has remained an all-Canadian district ever since. As desirable as this move was, it couldn’t save the Brock venture. It was a classic case of the wrong school at the wrong time. Despite the best efforts of a number of hard-working Beta brothers, Brock’s colony status had to be withdrawn in 1979 for lack of members. It was another matter altogether when the colonization of Guelph began in 1984. For once, everything seemed right. A good number of interested men were pledged on the Guelph campus. Supportive alumni were found nearby. Both of the existing chapters gave their support and blessing to this new venture in Ontario, and Toronto became the official sponsoring chapter. Most of all, the General Fraternity gave its whole-hearted blessing to the Guelph expansion. The organization as a whole had decided that it was better to grow than die, and a series of expansion plans had been approved by successive General Conventions. On more than one occasion, the men of this new colony had meetings with members of the Fraternity’s Board of Trustees. The Guelph chapter was officially granted its charter at the 147th General Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona in 1986. It was the first new Canadian chapter since Western Ontario in 1952, 34 years earlier. Now District III had a new member, perfectly placed between the two older chapters. The obvious result was a great deal of celebrating by all Canadian brothers present at that convention.
Canadian Betas from Toronto, Guelph, McGill and Western Ontario join in the candlelight serenade on the cover of the 1986 Convention Issue.
During the year leading up to this same convention, a recruitment drive had been conducted in Montreal at McGill University by an Administrative Office staff member. The idea of McGill, first suggested even before Toronto was chartered, had come up again periodically — 8 —
Beta Theta Pi in Canada
over the years, but no steps had been taken until now. In 1986, delegates from the McGill University provisional colony arrived at the convention to request full colony status for their group. This was granted. And the representatives from McGill joined whole-heartedly in the celebrations, which included a candlelight serenade of the Beta Sweethearts present, held by the outdoor pool. The serenade, with Canadian Betas very much in the forefront, graced the cover of that year’s convention issue of The Beta Theta Pi. In November 1986, the Board of Trustees held its quarterly board meeting in Toronto. This meeting had two purposes: it enabled Board members to inspect a Toronto site for a future convention, and allowed the trustees to attend the Guelph chartering. At this meeting, the Board was asked to meet a group of young men from Bishop’s University in Lennoxville, Quebec. This group petitioned the Board for provisional colony status, and this too was granted. Suddenly, District III had swelled from two active chapters to three chapters and two colonies in the space of just two years! Another key event in 1987 was the establishment of a Canadian Founders Fund, later to be known as the Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada. This was a key step. For the first time, Canadian donors could receive tax receipts in exchange for donations to a Fraternity endowment fund. This fund has continued to grow at a steady rate, and for some years now, has awarded annual scholarships to deserving Canadian brothers. During the next few years, as the new chapters and colonies grew and developed, there was a constant air of excitement among many of the undergraduate brothers.
Aerial view from an upper floor of the Marching Line at the 1988 Toronto Convention.
— 9 —
Convention issue cover from 1988 shows reception time in the hotel’s garden courtyard.
Sons of the Northern Stars
Chapters and colonies exchanged visits and road trips. Alumni who were closely involved in the growth shared this sense of a time of special intensity in Beta life. The established Beta chapters played a major role. Toronto continued as an involved partner with Guelph. Western Ontario sponsored the far-distant Bishop’s chapter. Both of the older chapters also continued to share their experience with the McGill colony. In 1988, the 149th General Convention of Beta Theta Pi met at the Inn on the Park in Toronto. It was the first Beta convention held in this largest of Canadian cities, and the first one at any location in Canada since 1966. It seemed fitting that this was the convention that voted a charter to the first chapter in Quebec, Epsilon Nu at McGill University. This convention also saw the largest-ever attendance at any General Convention to that date by Canadian Beta brothers — almost 200 signed the official roster. It also marked the second time a charter was voted to a Canadian chapter at a convention held in Canada. Among other special events, the Upper Canada Alumni Association hosted an elaborate series of sightseeing and social activities. There were tours, dinner parties, a hospitality suite in the hotel, and even balloon rides from the Inn on the Park’s front lawn! The balloon was a great draw for the Betas, as well as a great piece of advertising for a Toronto pizza chain — and thereby hangs a tale. Some of the brothers were dissatisfied with the hotel’s catering, and ordered a large number of pizzas to be delivered from the company sponsoring the balloon. The pizzas were brought directly into the hotel’s ballroom during one of the banquets! It was a totally unique occurrence for any Beta convention, before or since, and the tale has lost nothing in the telling over the years. This was also the convention that marked the creation of a new District 38, serving the new chapter and continuing colony in Quebec. In March 1989, a major district event was the installation banquet of the McGill chapter. At this time, the McGill chapter took over as sponsoring chapter for the colony at Bishop’s University. Also in the spring of 1989, a group of young men formed the first Greek letter society at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada’s capital. From the start, it was evident that they sought an international affiliation. Their first approach was to Sigma Chi, which expressed no interest. When they next contacted Beta, they received a full promise of support. The men of this newest provisional colony were pledged in June 1989 at the Toronto chapter. — 10 —
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Delegates, alumni, and friends from Districts III and XXXVIII at the Sesqui-Centenary Convention.
At the 1989 Sesqui-Centenary General Convention in Oxford, Ohio, the new Canadian group at Carleton was granted full colony status, and the Bishop’s University chapter was voted a charter. For the large delegations of Eastern Canadian Beta brothers present, the celebrations at this event ranked along with the similar great days at the 1986 Convention. During the next two years, the Carleton colony enjoyed the help of McGill as its sponsoring chapter. The colony grew rapidly, even while fighting off unjustified attacks in media and political circles. At the 1991 convention, Carleton was chartered as a full chapter, Epsilon Upsilon. The formal installation of the new chapter took place in November 1991. These events ended an astonishing sevenyear burst of activity. In that time, the number of active chapters in Canada grew from three to seven and the total active undergraduate membership nearly doubled. With so much potential in hand, it was sad to watch several of the new chapters stumble into severe problems as the 1990s went on. Nor were the older chapters immune to these difficulties. Money played a large part, for the cost of running and administering the Fraternity rose every year. So, most significantly, did the cost of insuring its operations and chapters. Some of the chapters managed to solve their financial and organizational problems in fairly short order. Others seemed to solve them, only to lurch back into crisis. The saddest sight of all was the downfall of the McGill chapter. Observers who had felt that McGill had everything going for it could only shake their — 11 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
heads in dismay as this once-proud chapter disbanded at the time of the 1996 General Convention. It was the first Beta chapter in Canada to close its doors. This was followed by the closure of Guelph, Bishop’s and Western Ontario throughout the next 11 years. As closure followed closure, many Canadian brothers expressed the concern that Beta Theta Pi was slowly but surely withdrawing from Canada altogether. General Secretary Charlie Warner, Lynchburg ’87, addressed this concern head on in a letter written after the closure of the Western Ontario chapter in 2007. His remarks on this point are worth quoting in full: It is true that Western Ontario now marks the fourth Canadian chapter to close since 1996 along with Bishop’s, Guelph and McGill. That does not mean, however, that Beta Theta Pi is “giving up” on Canada. It is important to note that during this same period nearly 60 chapters have closed in the United States as well. Beta Theta Pi is dedicated to maintaining high quality chapters regardless of their location.
As will be shown throughout this book, Canada has been on the mind of Beta Theta Pi for well over a century, even before the birth of the Toronto chapter. Expansion was slow for many years, reflecting a slower rate of expansion in the Fraternity as a whole. The sudden and dramatic increase from three to seven chapters in 1984-1991 likewise had its counterpart in the rest of Beta’s Broad Domain. So did the distressing loss of four chapters between 1996 and 2007, as Charlie Warner’s letter points out. From time to time, Beta Theta Pi has continued (and will continue) to examine prospects for new or restarted chapters in Canada. On a happier note, there were two spectacular commemorations of longevity in the two oldest chapters. In 2006, the Toronto chapter celebrated its 100th anniversary in conjunction with the 167th General Convention, held at the Marriott Eaton Centre hotel in Toronto. A second celebration was held in November, closer to the anniversary date. And in October 2011, the British Columbia chapter held a mammoth tribute to celebrate its 75th anniversary. The seven Canadian chapters of the Fraternity have presented an interesting conundrum at times to the Fraternity as a whole. While the habits of Canadian campuses have often seemed strange to U.S. brothers, there is no denying that Canadian undergraduates and alumni are equally successful at nurturing the seeds of lasting friendship and fidelity, even if the methods differ from those familiar in the United States. — 12 —
Beta Theta Pi in Canada
At this time, the most striking difference concerns relations between schools and fraternities. While some of the universities take an interest in the conduct of the fraternities, most do not. Only two of the seven “Beta schools” in Canada have had any sort of official role in the workings of the chapters. One of the seven has stated emphatically that it has no role at all. Another has said that there is no official role for fraternities because they are sexist. The others have kept silent on the issue. This fact gives rise to all sorts of oddities in the relations between Canadian chapters and the General Fraternity as well. To give only one example, most of the Canadian schools will not release their grades to the Administrative Office, even if our members give permission. This means that the scholastic chairman has to go about collecting individual grades from all brothers in the chapter. Some brothers with experience in Beta Theta Pi on both sides of the border assert that Canadian chapters tend to be more social and less scholastic than their U.S. sister chapters. Others, though, will tell you that Canadian chapters are just more open and forthcoming about their social lifestyle, with less bureaucratic oversight from university administrations and less direct communication about their activities from that source to the Administrative Office in Oxford. It’s impossible to say for certain. Canadian nationalism certainly puzzles many U.S. brothers, as it puzzles so many Americans generally. While Canadians clearly value their closeness to less expensive shopping and air travel options south of the border, at the same time, they want no part of certain other aspects of American life, politics, society, economics, and values. This nationalism first became apparent (as noted later in this book) in the 1960s, a period of exciting economic and social developments in Canada which culminated in the ultimate nationalistic thrill – the year-long and nationwide birthday party to celebrate Canada’s Centennial in 1967. Especially exciting was the arrival of people from all over the world to join in Canada’s celebration, and to experience all the wonders of the World’s Fair, Expo ’67, which was the crown jewel of the centennial year. Indeed, one major American news magazine highlighted its cover story on Expo with the headline, “What’s got into our good, grey neighbour?” It seems as though many Americans have been wondering about that ever since! One member of the Board of Trustees once asked the present author (in a tone which mingled incomprehension and exasperation in equal parts): “What do these — 13 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Canadian chapters want, anyway?” There’s no simple answer to that question. The thread of nationalism running through the story of Beta Theta Pi in Canada in the last half-century or so is undeniable. Canadian nationalism in Beta is sometimes highly visible and audible, sometimes much less so. This emotional undercurrent has been flowing for many years, and ranges across the gamut from assertions of pride through sullen non-cooperation all the way to active hostility. To a large extent, it results from the efforts of dealing with a General Convention, a Board of Trustees, and an Administrative Office which Canadians claim “don’t understand Canada” and the special conditions faced by Canadian chapters. Just how “special” these conditions actually may be is, of course, another good lively debate topic for those who can keep their tempers! A number of Beta brothers have asserted from time to time that we’d all be better off if the Fraternity created some kind of special structure of governance for Canada, a kind of “parallel fraternity.” Suggestions such as a Canadian Board of Trustees, a Canadian Administrative Office, and a Canadian Executive Director or General Secretary have been made. It hasn’t happened simply because it would cause more problems than it would solve. The one exception to this rule, of course, is the Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada. Here, the motive for the separate structure was not grounded in any appeal to Canadian nationalism, but in the more practical realities of coping with the different tax laws of Canada. As Beta Theta Pi continues into its 11th decade of service to Canada, the Fraternity has clearly planted its roots deep into the soil of its northern land. Beta is now firmly an international fraternity, and not only in a token sense. It seems odd, in a way, that token demonstrations are the clearest signs ever seen by some brothers. For them, it is a salutary lesson to recall the example of former Beta Theta Pi President John J. Rhodes, Kansas State ’37, who would frequently appear at public functions wearing the Canadian Beta tie in which maple leaves alternate with the Beta crest. For such brothers, this is not mere tokenism but a visible sign of an important state of mind. As Rhodes said so often, “This is my way of reminding all our brothers that we are an international fraternity.” In any case, these differences of opinion are called up by disagreements over the day-to-day work of administering the Fraternity’s affairs. The devotion of
— 14 —
Beta Theta Pi in Canada
Beta brothers in both Canada and the United States to the Three Great Principles is altogether another matter, and never seriously questioned by anyone on either side of the border. Whichever country we call home, wherever we live and attend university, we are still drawn together by the pull of the Beta Stars, always the same no matter where we stand to view them. To adapt from the words of Kenneth Rogers, Syracuse ’17: “For North or Southward shine the stars of Beta Theta Pi.”
— 15 —
—2—
A Canadian Beta Chronology This chronology lists in brief the main events regarding the growth of Beta
Theta Pi in Canada. It also notes the times and locations of General Conventions held in Canada. 1905
Theta Zeta Society formed in Toronto
1906
Theta Zeta chartered as Beta Theta Pi’s Theta Zeta Chapter at the University of Toronto
1911
First Canadian convention held at Niagara Falls, Ontario
1915
Toronto Chapter Fund promoted by the General Fraternity
1925
First convention at Bigwin Inn, Lake of Bays, Ontario
1926
Sigma Alpha Phi local fraternity founded at the University of British Columbia
1927
Second Bigwin Inn convention
1929
Third Bigwin Inn convention
1931
Convention held at Royal Muskokan Hotel, Lake Rosseau, Ontario
1932
Kappa Tau Sigma local fraternity founded at the University of Western Ontario
1935
Convention held at the Seigniory Club, Montebello, Quebec
1936
Gamma Omicron chartered as Beta’s British Columbia chapter
1950
Fourth Bigwin Inn convention
— 17 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
1952
Fifth Bigwin Inn convention. Delta Alpha chartered as Beta’s Western Ontario chapter
1956
Celebration of Toronto chapter’s 50th anniversary
1966
Sixth and last Bigwin Inn convention
1977
Beginning of formation of Brock University colony
1979
All-Canadian District III formed. Brock University colony disbanded
1984
Guelph University colony formed
1985
McGill University colony formed
1986
Epsilon Zeta chartered as Beta’s Guelph chapter. Bishop’s University colony formed
British Columbia chapter’s 50th anniversary celebrated in Vancouver and Toronto
1987
Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada established. District XXXVIII established
1988
Epsilon Nu chartered as Beta’s McGill chapter at the Toronto convention
1989
Epsilon Xi chartered as Beta’s Bishop’s chapter; Carleton University colony formed
1991
Epsilon Upsilon chartered as Beta’s Carleton chapter
1996
McGill chapter disbanded; first Canadian chapter to close
2001
Guelph chapter disbanded
2005
Bishop’s chapter disbanded
2006
Convention in Toronto. Celebration of 100th anniversary of Beta Theta Pi in Canada
2007
Western Ontario chapter disbanded
2011
Celebration of 75th anniversary of British Columbia chapter
— 18 —
PART II University of Toronto Chapter The Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi
—3—
Northern Star Rising The year was 1904. Canada was a nation in ferment and was growing by leaps and bounds. Prime Minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier had declared publicly that the 20th century would be the century of Canada, and — fired into action by his enthusiasm — Canadians old and new were forcefully thrusting back the limits of their wilderness.
New railways pushed across the country, through dense bush and over rugged mountain barriers. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants tumbled off ships in eastern ports, and were sped away over new steel to farmlands in “the Last, Best West.” New cities sprouted where only months before had been emptiness and silence. Two new provinces, Saskatchewan and Alberta, would appear on the map the following year. In the cities, new inventions such as telephones, automobiles and the electric light became common to the point of being commonplace. Music hall singers entertained with popular favourites such as “Take Your Girl Out to the Rink” and “Oh, What a Difference Since the Hydro Came.” It was a time of wealth and prosperity for many, and the wealth was placed at the service of those who were helping a young nation to expand. It was a stirring time in which to be growing up. In 1904, four undergraduates returned to “the Varsity” (that fond old English nickname for Oxford-or-Cambridge, now applied to the University of Toronto) to resume their studies. Fraternities were already in existence on the Toronto campus, but it’s likely that at least one of these four men had declined invitations to join their ranks. Instead, William Ernest Bristol Moore, known to friends as “Billy,” set his sights on forming his own fraternity. — 21 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Billy Moore seems to have had a great deal in common with John Reily Knox. Like the “Pater” of Beta Theta Pi, Moore had examined the fraternal life then being offered, and found it wanting. He felt, even as Knox had felt 67 years earlier, that something much better could be achieved with a fresh start. He then took definite steps to bring the dream to life. He invited three close friends to join him in this new venture, which they called the Theta Zeta Fraternity (or “Society” — both names appear William E. B. “Billy” Moore, founder of the to have been used). Between them, these four Theta Zeta Society men drew up an oath of membership, which is striking in its resemblance to the fraternal principles governing Beta Theta Pi: [1] I hereby solemnly swear never to reveal to an outsider any of the secrets or business of this Fraternity, [2] That I will accept the members of QΖ as brothers and will help and aid each one as far as lies within my power, [3] That I will put the good of the fraternity before my own, that I will work for it always and grudge no time labor or sacrifice in the advancement of its interests, [4] That I will accept the constitution of QΖ and obey its bylaws, rules and regulations, to be amenable to the commands of its officers, and to submit myself to its guidance and control during my undergraduate career.
There is a copy of this members oath, bearing the signatures of 33 of the first 34 men on the roll. Most likely, this was made sometime after March 1906, because the signature space beside the number “1” on the oath is blank. It was in that month that Billy Moore died suddenly at the tragically young age of 20. Was it his passing that inspired his brothers to set their oath down and sign it? Or was this the original oath, which Moore never signed because he was the founder, the originator, of the fraternity? But during his all-too-short career as founder of the Theta Zeta Society, Billy Moore had been very active. The membership had grown, in one and-a-half years,
— 22 —
University of Toronto Chapter
from the original four to 34, and these included several older men who were made honorary members: George Hagerty, Thomas E. Eakin (of the university), and Bishop Frederick Horace DuVernet. The appearance of these names on the membership oath shows that the men of the fraternity had already recognized the importance of wise counsel and advice from older men of experience in the world of business and affairs. The Theta Zeta brothers also had a house. In fact, they went through several in short order before arriving at the one on Madison Avenue which would house them for the next few years. Perhaps most importantly, the men of Theta Zeta decided to seek out a major national fraternity for affiliation. The fraternity they chose to approach was Beta Theta Pi. Why Beta? For one thing, Beta was a major fraternity which lacked any Canadian affiliation at the time. Also, there had been some talk of placing a Beta chapter in Montreal at McGill University, and this may have come to the Theta Zetas’ ears. It would certainly show that Beta might have an interest in acquiring a Canadian chapter by affiliation. Also, Beta Theta Pi had publicly circulated its constitution for almost 30 years. The men of Theta Zeta could read there the objectives of Beta, and see for themselves just how closely they aligned with the oath of the Theta Zeta Society. Perhaps most important of all was Beta’s reputation for quality. The men of Theta Zeta clearly wanted nothing less than the best; that was why they had established their fraternity in the first place. After all, they had already seen “less than the best” in some of the other fraternities on the Toronto campus, and knew it was not for them. Beta Theta Pi’s General Convention in 1905 granted the Theta Zeta Society the right to petition for a charter the following year. From then on, the men in Toronto raced against the clock to be ready in time for Denver in 1906. They worked long and hard to prepare their formal petition for chapterhood, in time for it to be circulated to all chapters before the opening of the convention. During that year, Theta Zeta was visited by two great Betas: William Raimond Baird, Stevens 1878, and James T. Brown, Cornell 1876. It’s interesting to note that both of these men were originally members of Alpha Sigma Chi, which had merged with Beta Theta Pi in 1879, more than 25 years earlier. Both Baird and Brown were to add weight to Theta Zeta’s charter petition at the Denver convention.
— 23 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
The 67th General Convention of Beta Theta Pi was held in August 1906 in Denver, Colorado. This was the first Beta convention to be held in the west and it would be asked to approve the first Beta charter in Canada. The outcome was by no means a foregone conclusion. No less than six applicants for charter appeared. Although the convention minutes are sketchy and vague about the reasons, there appeared to exist a special level of interest in the Toronto petition. This was indicated by a series of special motions passed by the convention. One motion suspended the rules to allow Douglas Maclean, Toronto 1906, to speak in the convention hall. We must remember that, in the practice of those days, no members would be initiated until a charter had been granted; therefore, Maclean was still a non-Beta. There was also a vote of thanks moved at the end of Maclean’s remarks. The charter vote itself was unanimous, with Virginia abstaining. Finally, a motion was passed inviting Maclean to attend the convention banquet that night, and another motion created a special committee to initiate Maclean. None of these courtesies were extended to any of the other applicants. Without further information at hand, we can only conclude that Douglas Maclean must have had a powerful effect on the convention delegates. Whatever the case, the facts speak for themselves. Out of six applicants at the 1906 Convention, Toronto was the only one granted a charter. And so, as the first student of a Canadian university to be initiated into Beta Theta Pi, Douglas Maclean returned in triumph to the latest Theta Zeta house on Madison Avenue. Thus was the stage set. The Northern Stars of Beta Theta Pi rose for the first time on the night of November 9, 1906. The first charter of a Canadian chapter was presented in a ceremony at the University Club in Buffalo, New York. The Theta Zeta Society became the University of Toronto chapter, the Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi. The event was organized by the Buffalo area alumni group, and the ritual initiation of the Toronto men was performed by students of the Cornell University chapter. The charter was officially presented to the chapter by William Raimond Baird. Brother Baird brought the greetings of the General Secretary and other Fraternity officers to the men of the new Toronto chapter, and predicted a brilliant future for the Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi. Douglas Maclean replied, for the chapter, that he and the other new Beta brothers would apply their greatest efforts in the service of their newfound brotherhood, even as they had vowed — 24 —
University of Toronto Chapter
to Theta Zeta in its beginnings. District Chief Willard P. Smith, Amherst 1888, also spoke, as did the representatives of Cornell and Syracuse, the other chapters in the district. The ceremony was followed by a formal banquet. One Beta recorded, for the benefit of posterity, that “as does not always happen on such occasions, things that should be cold were cold and things that should be hot were hot.” Even today, we don’t always manage to strike that balance at Beta banquets! In view of Beta’s new status as an international fraternity, one moment from that Installation Banquet had great significance. It had happened (not, perhaps, by chance) that the banquet took place on the date of the King’s birthday, Edward VII being the reigning monarch. The toastmaster, Rev. Richard E. Locke, DePauw 1891, proposed a joint toast to the King and the President and this was drunk with loud acclaim. The assembled brothers then sang one verse of “God Save the King,” one verse of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee,” and finished with the “Beta Doxology” — all of which, of course, were and are sung to the same melody. What better symbol could there be of hands clasped in friendship across the world’s longest undefended border? The whole evening marked the happy beginning to long and friendly relations within an international brotherhood. The chapter roll book was signed by 33 men, all former members of the Theta Zeta Society. The page numbered “1” was not used. It has remained blank forever as a tribute to Billy Moore, founder of Theta Zeta, who had not lived to see his dream of affiliation with Beta Theta Pi come true. One striking fact about the membership is that it contains four pairs of blood brothers. Over the years, many legacies have been initiated, but never so many nor so quickly as in those early days.
30 of the 33 men who signed the roll book at the installation of the Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi
— 25 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
The new Beta brothers who traveled homeward from Buffalo after this installation certainly had their work cut out for them. They had to compete with several much longer-established fraternities for the pick of the men on the Toronto campus. They had to establish both their social and their academic credentials quickly. In short, they had to prove that they were indeed the superior of the older houses as they had always meant themselves to be. Within Beta, too, the new chapter would be closely watched. This was no ordinary chapter. The success or failure of Theta Zeta would go far toward deciding whether Beta Theta Pi would pursue further expansion in Canada. Such thoughts may well have been in the minds of the Toronto Beta brothers as they carried their hard-won charter home to Toronto. The brand new chapter certainly grew quickly — so quickly it kept outgrowing its quarters, having to move to bigger and bigger houses. In 1909, the chapter moved from Madison Avenue to a house on Huron Street. Within a few years, the capacity of this house, too, was taxed to the limit and new quarters again were needed. This constant scramble for living space ended in 1913. In the fall, Theta Zeta moved into a fine house which would remain its home for more than half a century — 126 St. George Street. The Betas were most enthusiastic about their new address. An alumni newsletter, written in February 1914, described the house in this way: We have, this year, one of the finest fraternity houses in the city. Standing, as it does, on the west side of St. George Street, almost opposite Hoskin Avenue, one can see the back campus of the University from the front windows... The lot measures 47 ½ x 160 feet, so that there is plenty of room in the rear of the house for a tennis court. In fact it is the ideal fraternity house.
Many generations of Beta brothers in Toronto were to confirm again and again this judgment that Toronto chapter indeed possessed the “ideal fraternity house.” About this time, all chapters of the Fraternity were designing individual coats of arms for themselves, and choosing chapter Greek mottoes, in accordance with the system devised by George M. Chandler, Michigan 1898, and approved at the 1909 General Convention. According to Chandler’s design, this would — 26 —
University of Toronto Chapter
consist of the coat of arms of the Fraternity, but “differenced” with a device suitable to the individual chapter in the upper left hand quadrant. In the case of Toronto, the obvious mark of difference for Canada’s first chapter was a Canadian maple leaf. That in turn suggested the chapter motto: “The Living Branch.” By the beginning of 1914, then, the Betas of Theta Zeta Chapter had achieved a most promising start. They had successfully laid all the groundwork for succeeding generations Pen and ink drawing of the Beta house at 126 St. of brothers in Toronto. They had purchased George Street by Paul Sears, Toronto ’47 (by permission of the artist) a high quality chapter house. Most important of all, they had increased the chapter’s total initiated membership to 94 in a space of 10 years. Even more significant, Beta Theta Pi had succeeded in making itself an international fraternity. In the years to come, the Canadian connection would provide many opportunities to demonstrate the wisdom of this northward move, and one special occasion for the Fraternity as a whole to show the world the special brand of fraternal assistance which is uniquely Beta’s. It was as well that the Toronto Betas had accomplished their first steps with so much success. They would soon need every bit of their strength and brotherhood to save their chapter from its first great time of crisis.
— 27 —
—4—
For King and Country In August 1914, the long-expected “Great War” broke out in
Europe. Within the space of four years, it spread to all corners of the world and gave rise to massive disruptions in lands which had no part in the quarrels that spawned it. That was as true of Canada and the United States as of many other countries, since the quarrels sprang out of long-standing racial, dynastic and imperial disputes in the Balkan region of southeastern Europe, and on the continent as a whole. But historic events have a way of sweeping all before them. Before the war finally ended, Canada and its people had been changed irrevocably. It is said that the Canadian nation came into being during the war, a belief summed up by the phrase “a nation forged in fire.” Beta Theta Pi was certainly not immune to these realities. The events of the war forced Theta Zeta Chapter to the brink of extinction. The dramatic response of the entire Fraternity to this crisis was without parallel in the annals of American college fraternities. Once and for all, Beta Theta Pi proved that, when we speak of brotherhood and mutual assistance, we mean what we say.
When the war began, few expected it to last long. The popular sentiment was that “the boys will be home for Christmas.” Patriotism and nationalism shouted out so loudly that few bothered to wonder whether the enemy powers might be better prepared than their own forces. Certainly, there were few who foresaw, much less prepared for, the exigencies of a long conflict. Although the United States long evaded the maelstrom, Canada was at war instantly because of its imperial links with Great Britain. The young men of — 29 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Canada soon flocked by the thousands to enlist “for King and Country” and the Beta men — of course — went with them. As the war continued, more and more Betas signed up, and then left for overseas service. The situation was already near the danger point only a few months after war was declared. A year later, in the fall of 1915, Theta Zeta Chapter was in a truly desperate state. In November of that year, a joint committee of alumni and undergraduate brothers met to consider the crisis of the chapter. This committee sent a letter to the General Secretary, apprising him and the Fraternity of the peril in which the Toronto chapter now found itself: Out of 108 men on the chapter roll, approximately 40 percent are with the Expeditionary Forces and more are leaving every month; out of the three upper classes, there are only six men left who have not enlisted and three of these are leaving after Christmas; in October our freshman delegation numbered 11, and four of these have gone into training.
In simple fact, the undergraduate membership had shrunk to the point where the chapter and its house could not continue on a self-supporting basis. Nor was there any substantial alumni help available. The alumni were young enough to answer the call to the colours themselves, and most of them had done so as quickly as their undergraduate brothers. With no funds available from these usual sources, the Toronto chapter would soon be forced to close. This situation, it must be noted, was not unique to Beta Theta Pi. Other fraternities at Toronto, and other Canadian universities, faced the identical problem for the exact same reasons. What was unique was the reaction from Beta Theta Pi when the Toronto committee placed its problem before the Board of Trustees. This reaction was due largely, indeed solely, to one man. Enter “Shep.” Generations of Betas have revered Francis Wayland Shepardson, Denison 1882/Brown 1883, as one of the great figures of our fraternal history, and with good reason. At the time of Toronto’s darkest hour, he was the General Secretary of Beta Theta Pi. Thus, the appeal from the committee in Toronto landed squarely on Shep’s desk. Shepardson was greatly distressed at the thought of losing the chapter. But there it was. The house would have to close; the equity which it represented would be lost to the chapter. Who could say if Theta Zeta would ever recover from such a setback? The most galling aspect of the whole crisis was the unfairness of it — 30 —
University of Toronto Chapter
all. Shep realized only too well that the Toronto Betas had not endangered their future through recklessness. Their present trouble was only the result of a highminded desire to serve their country. Forewarned about the issue, Shep had no doubts at all as to what should be done. As soon as he received the letter from the Toronto committee on December 24, 1915, he acted. His reply was in the mail that same Christmas Eve, and contained this stirring affirmation: You may be sure that Beta Theta Pi will stand by you and that you will find out what it means to belong to a great fraternity like ours. In the meantime rest sure that we will help you someway (sic), and will do all we can to make it possible to preserve the chapter while so many of its members are following the flag of their country. Yours in ___kai___ and just now it is worthwhile to think what ___and___ in such a signature mean, Francis W. Shepardson, General Secretary
The historic Christmas Eve letter of 1915 in which Francis Shepardson committed Beta Theta Pi to a course of action which would keep the Toronto chapter house open
— 31 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Shepardson’s emotions at this moment are abundantly clear, and we can imagine the feelings evoked by his letter to the Toronto Betas. But what had Shep actually done? Without taking time to do more than consult informally with his colleagues on the Board of Trustees, or any other leading figures in the Fraternity, Shepardson had committed Beta Theta Pi as a whole to the task of assisting Toronto. It says much for his strength of will that he seems never to have doubted the outcome. His attitude is especially interesting when we recall that the United States had not yet entered the conflict, that most Americans wanted to stay out of the war in Europe, and that the U.S. president was still trying to mediate between the warring powers. But Shepardson knew exactly what he was doing. He was placing Beta Theta Pi into a situation where she would prove, for all to see, the true strength of the fraternal love and obligation she held so dear. Early in January 1916, Shepardson visited Toronto himself. He met the undergraduate brothers in the chapter and was shown a Roll of Honour listing the brothers who were absent on overseas service. His purpose in visiting was to ascertain the financial needs of the chapter in full detail. To meet the chapter’s yearly commitments for 1916 would require a sum of $2,557.50. In today’s terms, this would certainly represent ten times that amount, or more. It was far beyond the capabilities of the small (and shrinking) band of undergraduates and alumni remaining in Toronto. Knowing the full situation in its grim detail, Shepardson returned home to Chicago where he wrote a “Special and Extraordinary” edition of the General Secretary’s bulletin, Wooglin’s Work. He described the crisis, the responses he had received (by this time Shep had formally canvassed the Board of Trustees and other leading alumni, obtaining their approval for his plan), and his visit to Toronto. Shep’s bulletin closed with this stirring invocation: Shall Beta Theta Pi prove its great strength as a fraternity now with a splendid illustration of the possibilities of mutual assistance? Shall Beta Theta Pi keep open its chapter house at Toronto when some of its strongest rivals have closed theirs? Shall the equity in the Toronto chapter house be saved for Theta Zeta and for Beta Theta Pi? Shall Beta Theta Pi preserve its Toronto chapter in this extraordinary situation, when its life is threatened, not by carelessness or mismanagement or deeds of dishonor, but because of a lofty and — 32 —
University of Toronto Chapter
heroic patriotism which has led its members to “lay upon the altar of their country their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor?” Shall Beta Theta Pi give to the college and fraternity world an incomparable illustration of the strength of its organization, the power of its sentiment, the abiding faith of its members in their brothers? It is up to you. Here is a situation that has never faced us before. Here is the opportunity to prove what Beta Theta Pi, what fraternity means. Here is a Macedonian cry that should stir every loyal Beta heart. “Come over into Toronto and help us!” We want a dollar a man from every active Beta, contributed on “Pater Knox Night,” when we think of our debt to the founders of our fraternity... Brothers, let us make this the great event of the college year, the greatest event in the long history of Beta Theta Pi. It is an opportunity that comes but once in a lifetime. It is a chance to prove Beta Theta Pi what some of us hope it is, the greatest of American College Fraternities. I bespeak your cooperation. I have faith in the Fraternity. I believe it will prove its power on February 7th, 1916. “Thus honor shall come to the badge we wear and every true Beta that honor shall share.” — Francis W. Shepardson, General Secretary
It’s doubtful if even Shep foresaw the massive response his bulletin would engender in Betas all over the United States. Across the length and breadth of the country, hundreds of Beta alumni were asking to be included in the fund drive for Toronto. Everywhere that Shepardson went, he treated his audiences to a speech on the Toronto situation and his glass lantern slides of the Toronto chapter house, the men of the chapter in uniform and the Roll of Honour. Betas everywhere responded with donations, and Shepardson dutifully kept track of all the individual amounts, ranging from $2 to $50 per man, in a small notebook which still rests in the Beta archives in Oxford, Ohio. And then came Pater Knox Night — February 7, 1916. Beginning the next day, a veritable flood of cheques and money orders, from active Beta chapters all over the country, descended on Shepardson. That day, Shep wrote another letter to John Skinner, Toronto 1916, the chapter president: I have been in a number of places where mention has been made of the proposed subscription and the money has come across the plate just as fast as it could be passed. — 33 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
...I want you to appreciate the fact that this is something which in its scope, I mean its geographical scope, was never before attempted by a fraternity, and the undoubted success of the project tells beyond question the strength of the fraternity.
And we must remember that, as he wrote these words, Shepardson had yet to receive most of the undergraduate chapter donations! For the next week, Shep was writing almost daily to Skinner with updated reports on the amount of money pouring in. On February 19, Shep addressed a meeting of alumni in the Chicago area. He didn’t get home until midnight, and promptly sat down to pen a note to Skinner, informing him of the donations made that evening. This same handwritten note goes on to point out the story of an especially moving donation. A group of men at Whitman College in Washington had been approved the previous year for their charter. This had not yet been formally presented, so none of these men had yet been formally initiated. None of the “Whitman Betas” were actually Betas yet. They sent in their dollar-a-man anyway. At first, Shepardson demurred, thinking that these young men had greater needs of their own to fulfill as a new chapter. But the Whitman men insisted, and Shep accepted their donation. He did recommend to Skinner that a special note of thanks to the soon-to-be chapter at Whitman would be an excellent idea, and Skinner wrote to them right away. A fact which has not been generally known is that the Toronto Betas themselves sent in a dollar a man, thus placing their own contributions to their survival on the same level as all of Beta’s Broad Domain. For them, the symbolic value of this act was considerable. On Pater Knox Night, 1916, the Fraternity made Shepardson’s words come true. His faith in the Beta Spirit was amply justified. Beta Theta Pi proved its power beyond any doubt. The members of the Toronto chapter sent the following letter to Shepardson on March 17, 1916: Your letter, in which you inform us of the action taken by the General Fraternity on our behalf, has been received. We wish you to know that Theta Zeta thoroughly appreciates what has been done and particularly the manner of its accomplishment. The whole hearted way in which the entire fraternity has come to our aid is inspiring. — 34 —
University of Toronto Chapter
We assure you and the brothers across the line of our fidelity to Beta Theta Pi. We realize as never before what fellowship in Beta Theta Pi means, for the great scope and success of this action, prove the strength of our fraternity. Yours in ___kai___, John L. Skinner ’16 Fred W. Bryan ’13 Erle B. Lowndes ’19 Carman B. Draper ’19
W. Gordon Firstbrook ’18 Robert D.Macauley ’20 G. Vert Rayner ’21 Barstow H. Miller ’19 G. E. Wait ’17 Lawrence Drew-Brook ’21 D. W. Morrison ’19
The thanks of the chapter were reiterated at the 1916 General Convention. Chapter Delegate Erle B. Lowndes, Toronto ’19, was able to give the assembled brothers an account of how Toronto had used the funds raised, and to give an emotional speech of thanks to the convention. A chapter bulletin published in 1917 tells how the men of the chapter were able to use the money to meet mortgage expenses. This allowed the chapter to strengthen its overall financial position for a long period of belt-tightening. By this time, the United States had entered the war as well, and the enlistment of men was causing the same problem as in Toronto. Now the Toronto men asked that the remainder of the Toronto Chapter Fund be converted into a fund for aid to any chapter suffering as a result of the war. Shepardson’s reply both startled and moved the Toronto brothers: Let me assure you that it is the desire of the entire fraternity to leave the Toronto fund intact, as an offering of fraternal love.
The wartime troubles caused otherwise noteworthy events to pass by relatively unnoticed. One example was the appointment in 1917 of the first Canadian Beta brother to serve as a district chief: Norman S. Caudwell, Toronto 1911. Brother Caudwell’s tenure in the position lasted less than one year, but years later, he would stand up proudly as one of three former district chiefs at a Toronto alumni banquet. At the same time, college life during the war was not without its own little troubles, and we can sense that these troubles had their amusing side. The bulletin contains the following examples:
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Sons of the Northern Stars
THE COAL FAMINE — On February 14th the University Buildings were closed for two weeks on account of the coal famine in the city. Lectures were held at the Women’s Residences and other places not connected with the heating plant. We offered the house for lecture purposes, but the authorities saw no need to use it. THE FLOOD — During a cold snap a radiator in one of the bedrooms froze. It burst at the same time that someone blew out a couple of fuses of the electric light. The panic and disaster that ensued in the water and the darkness has become known as The Flood. $20 damage was done.
Later, residents of the most recent Toronto Beta house could call similar incidents to mind, but the cost of the damage would be just a little bit higher! In 1917, the Toronto Chapter Fund appeal was renewed by Shepardson and the Board of Trustees. Again, the response was notable. Several thousand donors once more sent in small and large sums of money. During this second Toronto Fund drive, a unique donation was received from a woman who had no Beta connections. The story was told in a letter sent by John McCready, Columbia 1917, in July 1918 to General Treasurer James L. Gavin, DePauw 1896. It seems that Miss Martha Prewitt of Kentucky was an extremely patriotic young lady. She was so moved by the story of the Toronto Fund, as she heard it from McCready (a family friend), that she wrote a cheque for $10 and gave it to him right then and there! During 1918, the chapter was actually in better financial condition than at any time in its history! The Toronto Fund was still in business, but the Toronto Betas knew that many American chapters also needed help and so decided to “go it alone.” A special bulletin was sent to all Theta Zeta alumni asking for their assistance to keep the chapter operating. Between the local drive and the Toronto Chapter Fund, all the financial needs were met. The tale of this extraordinary fundraising project remains one of the central facts of Beta Theta Pi’s history. Through this demonstration of fraternal power, Beta Theta Pi earned itself a unique distinction in Toronto: the only fraternity at the University which never closed its doors during the war. Thus, Beta Theta Pi is the oldest fraternity in continuous existence at Toronto. While the General Fraternity was conducting the Toronto Fund at home, the majority of the men of Theta Zeta were away in the trenches of the Western Front. In all, 86 Toronto Betas saw active service in the — 36 —
University of Toronto Chapter
Great War. 73 came back. The names of the 13 who made the supreme sacrifice are engraved on a bronze tablet designed by Eric Haldenby, Toronto 1918. The tablet was hung over the fireplace in the Beta house. On it appeared the Latin inscription Pro Patria Mortui (“Died for their country”) and then the list of 13 names: Alexander Watson Baird Daniel Galer Hagarty Robert Gordon Hamilton James Cuthbert Hartney John Turner Howard Arthur Gerald Knight Maurice Edward Malone
Donald Whitcombe Morrison Harry Reid Nicholson Ernest Alroy Simpson Joseph Donaldson Simpson Geoffrey Allan Snow George Stacey Stratford
Below the last name appeared the words “Carry On.” Centred between the two dates at the top of the tablet was the Theta Zeta coat of arms. This was altered after the war so that the maple leaf in the first quadrant was wrapped by a ribbon with the words “Carry On” imprinted. The four corners of the tablet bore poppies, now and forever a symbol of the battlefields of Flanders.
The War Memorial plaque hanging above the fireplace.
That motto, “Carry On,” which adorns both tablet and coat of arms, also dates from the war years. It serves as a perpetual memorial of the most inspiring example a Theta Zeta man ever left for his brothers. Maurice Edward “Mike” Malone, Toronto 1917, met his destiny at the Battle of Zillebeke in Flanders. He was leading an over-the-top assault on the enemy trenches, when he was gravely wounded by a burst of gunfire. His companions would have carried him back to the shelter of their own trench lines, but Mike refused. “Never mind me; carry on.” So Mike spoke, and so his companions did. And so he died.
On hearing of their brother’s valiant end, the men of Theta Zeta decided they could do no less than adopt his final words as a motto for the chapter to follow. So it is that the words “Carry On” are inscribed forever on the Theta Zeta coat of arms, on the chapter’s memorial tablet, and on the hearts of Toronto’s Beta brothers. — 37 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
After the war, a memorial plaque commemorating Mike Malone’s gallant death was erected by his family in the great Anglican Church of St. Paul on Bloor Street East in Toronto: In Loving Memory of Lieutenant Maurice Edward Malone 48th Highlanders 15th Battalion, First Canadian Expeditionary Force Who was killed in action at the battle of Zillebeke in Flanders while gallantly leading his men, June 3rd, 1916 Aged 21 years and 2 months He was the youngest son of E. T. and Amy Malone ________________ “Never mind me; carry on” (His last words) “Quit you like men; be strong”
After the war ended, the brothers of Theta Zeta Chapter could assemble once again to count their blessings. Their chapter and its house, “the ideal fraternity house,” had been preserved for Beta Theta Pi thanks to the Toronto Fund. While 13 men who went to war had not returned, 76 had survived to form the alumni base for a strong Toronto chapter of the future. And the names of those who did not return were not forgotten. As one brother later remembered: On November 11th the active chapter would meet in a room, and I would read out all the names — the huge list — oh, I knew many of them. I just read their names and all the Betas in the chapter stood up in silence while they were read out, and then they sat down. We kept that up for several years — to read the names of the Beta Theta Pi members from Toronto who gave their lives for their country.
Does the like spirit still reign in the Beta house today? The memorial plaque, safely transferred from house to house, hangs on the landing of the main staircase. In the chapter room hangs a handsome framed brass rubbing, made from the memorial plaque to Mike Malone in St. Paul’s Church. On the frame is an inscribed brass plate: Donated by the Pledge Class of 1980
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University of Toronto Chapter
Nearby on the wall, another frame holds that famous Roll of Honour which was shown to Betas all over North America by Francis Shepardson during the Toronto Fund drive in 1916-17, another cherished possession. Today, as in the past, the brothers of Theta Zeta know just how much these things mean to their chapter’s long and proud history.
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—5—
The First Twenty-Five Years are the Hardest Those years of the first quarter-century certainly were tough ones for the
Theta Zeta Chapter. Between moves from house to house to house, and the wartime crisis, to say nothing of minor emergencies such as “The Flood,” life did not always go smoothly! Once the war ended, the general picture became somewhat better. For one thing, the money situation was stabilized, although there were still “occasional heartbeats lost over the subject of finance,” as one brother so aptly put it. For another, the chapter’s number of active members was at an all-time high. This fact, in itself, was the cause of some interesting problems. Not all of this large body of active brothers were contemporaries in age. One group of men had enrolled in the University, been initiated into Beta, and then interrupted their studies to go off to war. They, of course, knew how the chapter should be run. The second group were men who had never made it as far as university because of the war, but were enrolling now. They thought they knew how to run the chapter better. A third group was made up of new undergraduates, fresh out of high school and with no war experience — and these, in the great tradition of their kind, thought they knew everything. And finally, there were the alumni. They, naturally, knew more than any of the other groups about how Theta Zeta had always been run. No question about it, the average age of the chapter during, say, the 19191920 school year, was far higher than the normal average age of university undergraduates. Also, the total size of the chapter was more than 45 men, and this was far above the capacity of the house at 126 St. George Street. — 41 —
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These facts came together to create all sorts of problems and vexations. If nothing else, the age difference alone would have created friction. Add to it the discrepancy in experience, between those who had served in the war and those who had not, and relations within the chapter were bound to be somewhat rocky. The year 1919-20 brought the peak of the seething discontent, in what was jokingly known for years afterward as the “reign of terror” of Chapter President Vert Rayner, Toronto ’21. Like most of the men on his executive, Vert was a returned veteran. There was little effective communication, and no love lost, between Vert’s group and the new young bloods. The records and minutes of that year, as summarized years afterward in The Beta Theta Pi magazine, suggest that Vert Rayner tried to run the chapter along the lines of the military discipline which was so familiar to him — with a signal lack of success: Brother Rayner suggested that the matter of drinking and gambling be brought before the next meeting with object of doing away with both. Brother Rayner pointed out the advantages of the fraternity, such as learning discipline and love of duty. It was announced that an unwritten law was broken when there was gambling on the second floor of the house on Saturday afternoon. Brother Rayner reprimanded members for rushing in to meals. Brother Rayner asked members to stop using certain nicknames, and to be more careful in making personal remarks. He also mentioned more singing is needed and less card playing while recruits are in the house. Brother Rayner stated that in the case of lateness or absence members will give their excuses in writing to the Executive before noon of the day before the day of the following meeting and if no excuse has been received by that time a fine will be imposed. No burlesque excuse as received last week will be tolerated.
Bertie Symmes, Toronto 1911, the author of this article in the magazine, added the following comments to the extracts from the minutes: The fast-riding forty were too much for them... The executive battled throughout all the year and went down fighting... the rashes the — 42 —
University of Toronto Chapter
Executive broke out into were usually both visible and audible. The Chapter did not hesitate to draw this to their attention. Then the Executive would threaten their resignation and on occasion actually did so, but the chapter always refused to accept, sometimes apologized and always started another guerilla war within the month.
Obviously, Vert Rayner and his executive had their hands full. An excitable lot of college men simply weren’t amenable to military discipline, when military law was not on hand to back up the officers! However, lest it be thought that the year 1919-20 was a complete disaster, it should be noted that the final meeting of the year saw a motion of thanks to the executive unanimously passed by the chapter. Ironically, as Symmes mentioned, the motion was “moved and seconded by the two chief executive baiters.” The immediate postwar years, then, were not without their rough spots. In a commendably short time, these little problems were overcome, in the true Beta Spirit, and a revitalized Theta Zeta Chapter had more than made up for time lost during the war years. After a few seasons, the age mix of the chapter also returned to normal, and the Toronto Betas were well on their way at last. Before the war, the alumni had thought of forming a corporation to own the house and lease it to the chapter. It was the natural and sensible way of using the experience of the older men to support and supplement the enthusiasm of the undergraduates. For various reasons, incorporation was not carried out before the war began. After the war started, there were, of course, more pressing problems. Until the corporation could be formed, the deeds of the property were held in trust for Beta Theta Pi by Harold A. Hall. Not until years after the fact was it publicly revealed that “Harold A. Hall” was an imaginary person (a Bunbury figure, if you like) and merely represented the planned corporation before it had a chance to incorporate itself. Notice the acronym formed by Mr. Hall’s initials! The Theta Zeta Corporation was legally formed in September 1920. The principal action of the new corporation was to acquire full legal title to the property at 126 St. George Street from “Mr. Hall.” A board of directors was elected, and the undergraduate chapter began paying a regular monthly rental for the house to the corporation. When the Theta Zeta Corporation came into existence, it carried liabilities to a total value of $19,000, including a second mortgage on the house — 43 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
which was due in February 1922. As the due date approached, the corporation opened negotiations for renewal, but the lender was unwilling to renew. The corporation called alumni to a crisis meeting that month in the old Mossop Hotel. Once again, Toronto’s men met the emergency. A decision was taken to issue bonds up to a value of $17,000 to meet the cost of the mortgage. These bonds would bear the very generous interest rate of five percent per annum for a period of 10 years. The alumni brothers assembled at the meeting immediately subscribed $5,000 of bonds on the spot. H. Sheridan Baketel, Dartmouth 1895, Beta’s General Treasurer, who represented the General Fraternity at the meeting, himself subscribed $25 as an earnest of the Fraternity’s faith in the chapter’s future. Within a few weeks, enough bonds were subscribed to pay off the entire mortgage. Many of the brothers at once turned their bonds back to the Corporation, thus making an outright gift of the money. Throughout the Roaring Twenties, the Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi continued its strong yet steady growth. The chapter’s active membership held firm at between 24 and 30 members, a good size for the house. A chapter of this size allowed for the house to be filled, plus between seven and 12 “townsmen” as the non-resident brothers, have always been known. There was always the question of finances to be dealt with. In 1927, the remaining financial burden from the wartime period was lifted thanks to the generosity of several alumni. At the same time, the Toronto chapter achieved a questionable “triumph” by electing a treasurer who could not keep the books in order. During the 1926-27 school year, only one financial statement was submitted to the district chief, and it did not balance! District Chief Lewis E. Parmenter, Syracuse 1911, also expressed surprise that no delegates from Toronto attended the district reunion, nor was the chief advised of the reason for this absence. In some areas of Beta’s Broad Domain, regular gatherings of chapters within a district or group of districts have been ongoing successes. In Toronto’s case, these events have had a much more checkered history. Again and again, The Beta Theta Pi magazine tells of this or that district chief setting up a new form of inter-chapter contact session. It never seems to last over the long term.
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University of Toronto Chapter
Strong ties between the Toronto Betas and their American brothers were fostered throughout this period by four General Conventions held in Ontario. In 1925, 1927 and 1929, the conventions were at the Bigwin Inn on the Lake of Bays, while in 1931, the convention was held at the Royal Muskoka Hotel on Lake Rosseau. In each of these years, Toronto acted as the “host chapter” and numerous delegates stopped over in Toronto on their way to or from the convention sites. These visits allowed them a chance to see for themselves what the contributions of so many Betas during the war had preserved. Toronto Betas were glad to see their American brothers and to make many new friends through convention contacts. One Toronto man said that, before attending the 1927 Convention, he could count on the fingers of one hand the number of Beta brothers from other chapters whom he had met. After the convention, of course, the number was far higher! Ties with the General Fraternity were fostered by several visits from trustees. The visit by Baketel in 1922 has already been mentioned. Probably the most touching was the return visit by Francis Wayland Shepardson in 1928. The last time he had been in Toronto, Shep had seen a small and declining chapter almost out of money. The vision of the future then had been a shuttered house and a shattered dream. As he compared that earlier image of Theta Zeta with the beautifullykept house and thriving chapter membership of 1928, Shep must surely have let a smile of contentment show on his face. Evidently, the Toronto Chapter Fund, which he had sponsored, had done its work well. In his 1928 report, District Chief Erle B. Lowndes, Toronto ’19, noted that intradistrict communication was much improved, with Toronto being represented at the district reunion as well as visiting Cornell and Syracuse, and Syracuse making a return visit to Toronto. He also stated that the chapter’s scholarship was considerably improved as “the wholesale failures of the previous year evidently cleared the air.” He also observed that horseplay at initiation had been completely dropped without the predicted dire effects showing up in the new men. This seems to be the first public mention, in Canada, of one of the Fraternity’s perennial discussion topics. The same observation about scholastic achievement (or lack thereof ) recurred a few years later in a report by District Chief Wilbur D. Dunkel, Indiana ’22, who noted that the rigorous exams were taking a particular toll among the first-year men. Dunkel also commented on the great cooperation between undergrads and — 45 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Formal chapter portrait in 1931, the year of Theta Zeta’s 25th anniversary.
The 25th anniversary banquet at the new Royal York Hotel.
alumni, and the great loyalty to the Fraternity’s ideals, which could be seen in Toronto. In light of the chapter’s experiences in its first quarter-century, this is only what one would expect. In 1931, Theta Zeta marked its 25th anniversary. The chapter commemorated this landmark by submitting a quarter-century history to The Beta Theta Pi, which published it in the January 1932 issue. The article included many photographs: Billy Moore, the charter members of Theta Zeta Society, Mike Malone, the chapter memorial plaque, the Malone memorial plaque in St. Paul’s Church, and the anniversary dinner. There was also a detailed description of the events of the weekend. It was the greatest gathering and reunion that the chapter had known up to that time. The celebrations included a dance, a rugby game, and the final banquet on Saturday, November 7, 1931. More than 150 Toronto Beta brothers attended the various events, enjoying fine Beta speeches and first-class Beta singing. The entire anniversary was organized by an alumni committee under the capable chairmanship of Dr. Beverley Hannah, Toronto 1909. This seems like an appropriate moment to introduce the man who must be ranked as one of the two greatest of Toronto’s thousand-plus Beta brothers. During his long and honourable years of service to Theta Zeta, Bev Hannah had more of a direct effect on more Beta brothers than any other of Toronto’s Betas during that time period.
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University of Toronto Chapter
Bev Hannah was one of the members of the Theta Zeta Fraternity, and therefore was a charter member of the Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi, signing the roll book as #26 on that memorable night in Buffalo in 1906. He was there in the dark days of the war, serving as chairman of the undergrad-alumni joint committee whose letter to Shepardson set in motion the memorable events of the Toronto Chapter Fund. He was elected first president of the Theta Zeta Corporation, and chaired the 1922 meeting for the mortgage bond subscription. In 1921, Hannah had been officially named chapter counsellor to the Theta Zeta Chapter. Already in 10 years, he had become known for his steady direction, and was regarded as the chapter’s oldest and most faithful friend. Bev Hannah’s influence was not limited to Betas, even though it seemed impossible at times that he could (in addition to his Beta activities) find any time for his medical career. This, in fact, was precisely what he did, and for years he filled a series of prominent and distinguished positions in the Toronto medical community. These included a term of 25 years as chief physician of the Riverdale Hospital. As Theta Zeta reached the end of its first quarter-century, Bev Hannah was already a mainstay of the chapter in the vital role of chapter counsellor. Who, on that November evening in 1931, could have predicted that his faithful services to the Fraternity would continue for more than 40 more years until his death in 1974?
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—6—
Steady Progress Theta Zeta Chapter had reached its 25th anniversary in very good condition.
This was more than could be said for the national economy in 1931. Canada, along with the United States, had plunged into the depths of what has become known as “the Great Depression.” Problem followed problem as the Depression ultimately — finally — gave way to the conflict that came to be known as the Second World War. Throughout what could have been very difficult years, the Toronto chapter never got into major hot water, but continued its steady growth and stable operation. There were problems, money most certainly among them, but at no time did this become a life-threatening crisis such as the one the Great War had brought to Theta Zeta Chapter. One consistent pattern ran throughout the “Dirty Thirties.” Each year, it seemed that there were a growing number of men from Toronto joining the chapter. Was this a reflection of fewer men coming to the university from outside Toronto, due perhaps to the economic situation? Whatever the reason, more and more chapter members chose to live at home; each year, fewer brothers wanted to reside in the chapter house. This pattern became a yearly source of comment and cause for concern to the district chiefs and most certainly to the Theta Zeta Corporation. They felt that a small chapter with a too-large proportion of townsmen was on the borderline of financial instability. They were right. If the Toronto chapter had one consistent problem through the Depression years, it was the great difficulty of staying current with the fixed costs of running the house.
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But the men of Theta Zeta knew exactly what they were doing. They were determined never to sacrifice quality for quantity, and preferred a small but topnotch membership to a large but mediocre one. This, too, was recognized by the annual district chief report, with such comments as this: “Every Beta within any distance of Toronto should visit this excellent chapter and be convinced of its ideals.” More than once, the Theta Zeta Chapter was commended for its devotion to scholastics and for its superb ritual practice. Many district chiefs have come to regard the “quality, not quantity” line as the number one excuse for a chapter’s poor performance in recruitment, but the Toronto chapter of the 1930s plainly meant what it said in this regard. As for the problem posed by the large proportion of townsmen, there wasn’t much that could be done about it by anyone. Depression-era economic straits obviously forced many men to continue living at home, even though they might rather have been renting a room in the chapter house and enjoying the benefits of full-time fraternal life. Other signs of the Depression showed up at the annual District IV Reunion, which was hosted by Toronto in 1933. Issues studied at this meeting included the reasons why so many initiates failed to graduate, and the reasons why some alumni left behind unpaid bills owed to their chapters when they graduated. Obviously, these kinds of money problems were not confined to the Toronto chapter. Another discussion revolved around the need to eliminate “roughhouse initiation practices.” According to the Toronto representatives, no such practices were in use at Toronto at this time. This reunion won kudos for the Toronto men from their American brothers, both for the skilled organization and for the variety of entertainment provided. The entertainment included good tickets to a varsity football game and an evening dinner at the sparkling new Royal York Hotel. A total of more than 65 undergraduate and alumni brothers attended this dinner. By 1934, the lack of live-in brothers and consequent lack of cash flow was causing a gradual deterioration in the house. The men were urged to do what they could to upgrade the property. It certainly would have been foolish of the chapter to have allowed the “ideal fraternity house” to go too far down the drain. The high scholastic ideals of the chapter were amply and publicly confirmed in 1935 and again in 1936. In those two years, back to back, two men of the chapter were awarded Rhodes Scholarships. Arnold C. Smith, Toronto ’36, — 50 —
University of Toronto Chapter
was the first Canadian Beta selected for the honour, closely followed by John E. L. Graham, Toronto ’36. The true importance of this achievement can best be appreciated when one realizes that only two of these awards were available in any given year to residents of Ontario. This meant that, for two years, Beta cornered half the market! In 1936, the annual reunion was a joint affair for Districts III and IV as a cost-cutting measure. Again, the Toronto chapter was privileged to act as host. And again, initiation practices came under discussion, with General Secretary G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27, as a highly interested observer. Each chapter was invited to describe its pre-initiation and initiation practices in detail. In discussions, the chapter practices were measured against the General Fraternity rules and standards for these activities. This reunion was attended by 25 Beta guests, including men from Colgate, Cornell, St. Lawrence, Syracuse and Union, plus the two district chiefs and the General Secretary. Again, the Toronto chapter handled the job with aplomb. Toward the end of the 1930s, the financial situation of the chapter began to show signs of improvement. A promising event in 1938 occurred when some “thoroughly aged” accounts due from certain alumni were finally paid. This, in turn, enabled the chapter to pay off some old and troublesome debts of its own. A new cause for excitement in the chapter was the triumphant success of the long campaign to plant a second chapter in Canada. True, Toronto could never hope for more than sentimental ties with British Columbia, but that knowledge did not stop Toronto’s undergraduates and alumni from long and energetic campaigning for a new chapter on the west coast. When the chartering eventually took place in 1936, Toronto was represented at the formal chartering event in Vancouver. When the General Fraternity decided that all members of the Sigma Alpha Phi local society at UBC were eligible for initiation into Beta Theta Pi, Toronto was more than happy to oblige by initiating several Sigma Alpha Phi alumni who lived in the Toronto area. One such initiation in 1939 was attended by several UBC Betas who were in Toronto at the time, and were able to watch their alumni brothers receive the badge of the Fraternity. Also in 1939 appeared what was described as a “new issue” of the Theta Zeta Owlet. This chapter newsletter has been a “regularly irregular” publication for much of the chapter’s history, and has appeared as well under
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the names of Owlette, Owl and Thallos Zoos (among others). This particular issue appealed for more alumni involvement: There are 250 living alumni of this chapter, and of those we see only about 20 regularly. We want to change that. We can’t stress to you enough how welcome you are here.
Was it just a coincidence that this appeal happened to appear in the early days of that fateful year 1939, when the world again hastened toward war? In a situation broadly parallel to that of the First World War, Canada entered the war at once (alongside Britain), while the United States managed to preserve its neutrality for the first years of the conflict. This also meant a parallel in the “Beta situation,” with the two Canadian chapters “at war” (so to speak) while the other chapters were not. Recognizing this parallel, the General Fraternity extended to Toronto a promise of support similar to the Toronto Chapter Fund of 25 years earlier, should it be needed. By the end of 1941, this had become a firm and definite commitment in writing. The reply from the Toronto chapter, which was printed in both The Owlette and The Beta Theta Pi, shows at once the strength which this chapter had found in the intervening years: Again we are at war, facing similar trials. Only now we have behind us an alumni body of some 300 members. It is to this association that we will look for aid, if ever the burden becomes too great for the undergraduate chapter to maintain. We have had the assurance of help from the national fraternity, but, while fully appreciating this generous offer, we would feel reluctant to have to accept it. Our brothers in the United States face the same demands from their country that we do. Surely we can swing our own weight in this crisis.
By the time these words were written, early in 1942, the chapter had already amply proven its ability to remain fully in business, and to honour the tradition of Mike Malone and “carry on” without need of aid from brothers elsewhere. In fact, there was more to the wartime Toronto chapter than just a policy of maintaining the status quo ante bellum. An automatic stoker was installed for the coal furnace. New furniture appeared in the dining room. Social activity continued, with a second “serenade party” being held for the Alpha Phis and Delta Gammas. This was an idea that the Toronto chapter had borrowed from the men of St. Lawrence after one of the inter-district reunions. It was a great — 52 —
University of Toronto Chapter
example of the way information exchange among chapters can work to the benefit of all. During the spring of 1940, the Beta Dorg and a formal dinner-dance were both held, and the formal in particular achieved record alumni attendance. At the same time, the chapter was able to state with pride that its membership was larger than it had been for some years. Theta Zeta was able to face the prospect of a prolonged war from a relatively strong financial position. This is not to say that there were no economy measures. Beta was certainly not exempt from the national need to “make do,” to stretch everything a little bit further. Despite the low number of active members in the chapter during some of the war years, Toronto finished each war year in the black, with all bills paid. In doing so, the chapter also managed to carry on operations in a nearly normal manner. Meanwhile, both sister chapters in District IV — Cornell and Syracuse — had to close their houses, although the chapter organizations remained active. Across the United States, more than 25 chapters became inactive during the war, although by decision of the 1942 General Convention, none of their charters were revoked. Just what was Toronto’s helpful little secret? The success of Toronto — and British Columbia — in staying open owed much to a policy decision made by the Canadian government. In the First World War, many men dropped out of school and sneaked into the Forces while under the legal age. There was no real reason to stay out, and plenty of patriotic appeals to encourage everyone to enlist. The result was a shortage of good, well-educated “officer material.” In some ways, it wasn’t a critical problem because most of the Canadians fought under the direction of British officers as part of the British forces. That was no longer true in World War II. This time, the Canadian government wanted to encourage more men to remain in university and complete their higher education before enlisting. In this way, the pool of potential officers would be much increased. The education plan worked this way. Any man who was enrolled in a full-time study program at a university was allowed to remain until he completed his degree. This permission was naturally dependent upon attending regularly and achieving satisfactory marks in all courses. In the event that one failed to do so, selective service rules would be imposed immediately and he would become liable for a call to enter military training instead. As a result of this plan, many young men continued in university until graduation before enlisting in officer — 53 —
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training programs. By contrast, in the First World War, almost everyone had dropped out of university — and sometimes even out of high school — as soon as possible. Theta Zeta certainly benefited from this situation, and was able to keep enough members in the chapter to maintain the chapter house in full operation throughout the war. In November 1942 and April 1943, the chapters of Districts III and IV held special joint conventions to discuss how they would meet the wartime problems. All chapters of both districts attended these meetings, and the discussions and idea-sharing were of great benefit to all. These special conventions had a definite stabilizing effect on the chapters. Meetings of this sort were especially important because the General Convention of 1942 had decided that no more General Conventions would be held until after the war had ended. In 1944 and 1945, the university expected larger groups of entering freshmen than had been seen in the first few war years. As long as the Theta Zeta Chapter made sure of its fair share of the new men, there were good prospects for weathering the storm without any major crisis. While tax rates in Canada did rise much higher than in the United States, the chapter still managed to stay in the black clear through to the end of 1945. Meanwhile, what of the effects of the war on Betas in active service? In the First World War, the chapter had suffered the tragic loss of 13 of its members. The toll in World War II was not nearly so high, but neither was the total number of men in the services. All the same, there was a higher percentage of deaths in the First World War, which reflected the more brutal and vicious nature of that conflict. In 1951, The Beta Theta Pi compiled a special “Military List” issue, with the names of brothers who were lost and total service statistics. According to this source, a total of 88 brothers from Toronto saw active service in the war. Four of them died. During the war, the chapter tried to make contact with its brothers, wherever they were, and the statistics derived from those contacts. It was not until the chapter’s 90th anniversary year that steps were taken by Owen Williams, Toronto ’50, to place a memorial plaque in the house for the men who died in World War II. The plaque was finally placed in the house in 1998. From all of this, it will be clear that the Depression and the War were not in any sense times of “crisis” for Toronto. However, it does not follow that the chapter experienced a smooth ride either! The challenges, financial and personal, of the
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University of Toronto Chapter
period from 1929 to 1945 were considerable. All the men of the Theta Zeta Chapter had to give their best efforts to enable the chapter to thrive under what could have been highly adverse conditions. The spirit and quality of Beta Theta Pi were also very much alive on St. George Street, as proven by the chapter’s determination to “go it alone.” It would have been so easy to accept the proffered help from the General Fraternity, even when it wasn’t needed. It might have happened that way in some organizations. But that wasn’t the Beta — or the Theta Zeta — style. The best judgment of this period in the chapter’s history can be safely left to District Chief George W. Campbell, Union ’25, who wrote the following in his 1942 Annual Report on the district: A visit to this chapter will convince any Beta of the tremendous loyalty that Theta Zeta feels towards the fraternity and one will sense the determination of the chapter to carry its share of the responsibilities of Beta Theta Pi.
Again, Toronto had lived up to the spirit of “Carry On.” Mike Malone himself could not have said it any better.
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—7—
The Best Years of Our Lives When the Second World War ended in 1945, Theta Zeta was propelled
into an era which can be seen, in retrospect, as the “golden years” of the chapter. It was a time when Canada as a whole boomed economically and a spirit of optimism filled the country. That spirit certainly was felt in the Beta house.
There were many reasons for this and the house itself was a major one. The “ideal fraternity house” had remained ideal down through the years. It had already served as house and home to more than 35 years’ worth of Toronto Beta brothers. Beta sons walked the halls their fathers had trod, and lived in the rooms their fathers had known. The sense of stability and continuity which the house represented was a big plus for the chapter. Another great asset of the house was its location. This too got better and better as the years went by, and the university expanded nearer to the house. Close to all main class locations, residences and the other fraternities and sororities, it was truly central. This made it easy to draw large numbers of townsmen as well as the full live-in capacity of the chapter. In a sense, as the chapter was to discover some years later, the house location really was “too good to be true.” The Toronto Betas may have had a good house to begin with, but they weren’t content to rest on that fact. They worked hard to make it better. Even during the war, when construction materials and manpower were severely restricted, some essential repairs were made. Once the war was over and the restrictions ended, major bouts of reconstruction proceeded apace. Throughout the 1950s, there were regular rounds of painting and decorating, as one brother described:
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Sons of the Northern Stars
The house was in good financial shape, and we had it in superb condition. We tried to upgrade the place, and it was upgraded — there wasn’t a better fraternity house on the campus. I think it had a lot to do with our security. We even got the bedrooms colour-coordinated, and the house manager had to pass on any colour changes.
The biggest renovation ever done on the house took place in two stages, beginning in 1952. In that year, a major fundraising drive was undertaken by the Theta Zeta Corporation under the direction of Bredin Stapells, Toronto ’46. The loyal alumni of the Toronto chapter came through in a big way and the drive netted $20,000. To put this amount into perspective, St. George Street in 1948, looking north from Harbord Street. The Theta Zeta chapter house is the fifth house from the camera on the left side. note that breakfast in the house cost 25 cents in 1949, and a beer in 1953 was 15 cents! A second phase of these renovations was undertaken in 1957, and the result of these two major work periods was a truly first-class residence. The Betas were very proud indeed of their superb house, as well they might be. By October 1960, the Corporation was able to announce that all outstanding indebtedness on the property had been retired in full. This was a notable triumph for the dedicated alumni of the chapter. Once all of this work was completed, the men of the chapter developed a strong proprietary interest and feeling toward “their” house. Part of the reason for this protective attitude was the rising calibre of the men that the chapter and its beautiful home were able to attract. The number and quality of men being recruited ran so high that the chapter was able to set a standard of an academic “B” average required for admission and stick to it. This was almost 40 years before the General Fraternity adopted any form of standard. Even with that rule, there were always a fair number of wouldbe Betas who had to be screened out in other ways. — 58 —
University of Toronto Chapter
The age mix in the chapter during the immediate postwar years resembled that of the chapter during 1919-1923, and for the same reasons. Similar problems could well have arisen, and did so in many chapters. The article about “Rayner’s Reign of Terror” had been published in 1942 by The Beta Theta Pi, perhaps partly to help chapters guard against such divisiveness. For whatever reasons, the Toronto chapter managed to avoid major difficulties during the postwar period. In fact, the major sign of the age mix was the amount of gold braid and medals seen at chapter parties. All brothers from this era seem to agree on one thing: the parties were the great focal points of chapter life during this time period. They were held on a regular, even weekly basis, with the house always neat and clean, and carefully decorated for the more formal events. One of the most famous Beta parties was an open house after a Toronto/Western football game in 1953. One brother later recalled this memorable event with these words: We invited all the people: both teams, both bands, all the cheerleaders, and everybody else who walked in off the street. We figured there were hundreds who went through the place that day. We had an orchestra in the afternoon and another in the evening.
Another source sets the attendance figure for this party at “more than 600,” and says that the refreshments were prepared and served by the girls of Gamma Phi Beta. That task alone must have been monumental! Although the parties were entertaining, they also fulfilled some important functions for the chapter. First, they helped to build cohesion and spirit in a chapter that was almost too big for its house (well over 50% of the members each year were townsmen). The parties were also a wonderful means of advertising the kind of “class” that Beta represented, and thus were good for the chapter’s image in the university community. Last but not least, the parties were great tools for recruiting the kind of men who could help the chapter keep up its standards. One freshman, whose father and uncles were Betas, almost pledged Phi Kappa Pi, but he changed his mind after a party at the Beta house — and after being energetically recruited by members of the Beta chapter! He was (apparently) overwhelmed by all the attention, and ended up pledging Beta instead. Thus, a family tradition was maintained, and at the same time the Beta chapter improved its own score for finding quality among the freshmen.
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Sons of the Northern Stars
Another famous aspect of the Beta parties, besides the dancing, the pretty girls, and the huge buffet suppers, was the singing. The Toronto boys became renowned on the campus as the “singing Betas.” At every party — post-football function, formal dinner, Saturday night get-together, any kind of affair, you name it — they sang! It was wonderful fun, and certainly a great booster of chapter spirit and morale. On the other hand, the ladies might conceivably be a bit annoyed by it all. There isn’t much advice in the books of etiquette for a woman who is stranded while her date stands in the centre of the room with the other guys, singing his heart out by the hour. Some of the Beta Sweethearts solved the problem by joining in. An important centrepiece of social activity in the house was the recreation room with its famous decorative murals executed by Jack Northcote, Toronto ’48. This room rejoiced in the title “The Paradise Club,” a pun on “The Pair o’ Dice Club” because of the subject of the main mural. This room was a very important place in the chapter. In January 1951, the men of the chapter formally recognized the majestic stature of this precinct by creating the august title of “Lord High Keeper of the Beta Paradise Club” to bestow on the chapter functionary who ruled over this important domain. This title gave rise to the cryptic string of initials which puzzled so many outsiders over the years: “L.H.K.B.P.C.” Another important function was performed by a new committee created the same year: the “Pigeon Eradication Committee.” Was this a response, one wonders, to the perennial prank of capturing a pigeon and hiding it inside a brother’s bedcovers? Years later, on Lowther Avenue, the problem of pigeons and the prank were both still alive and well! October 1951, brought a new record in the area of the chapter meeting. One weekly meeting ran from 7:00 p.m. until just after midnight. As this is not in the Guinness Book of World Records, we are not encouraging any other chapter to try to beat this one! Scholarship remained a high priority for the chapter throughout most of this golden age. At the various district reunions and “Western New York Beta RoundUp” weekend conclaves held during these years, Theta Zeta could usually be counted on to win the trophy for scholastics. The 1954-55 school year brought a rare exception, which suggests that the socializing may have gotten a bit out
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University of Toronto Chapter
of hand. The following appeared in one of the chapter’s regular newsletters to The Beta Theta Pi: Theta Zeta’s standard of scholarship was not lived up to last year. This chapter had one of the worst years in its history, having four brothers miss their year and several others just make the grade. We are striving to make sure that this situation is not repeated by taking a more serious attitude towards our studies.
So ran the report in the November 1955 issue. This honesty is typical of the chapter at this period in its history. One wonders if the same would happen today, when so many chapters report to the magazine only the good things that happen, leaving out the bad. One of the chapter’s great strengths in those years was the number of legacies who were initiated. On one memorable occasion in 1960, Richardson Luther Symmes, Toronto ’64, became the third generation of Canadian Betadom in the presence of his father, George Luther Symmes, Toronto ’39, and grandfather Bertie Luther Symmes, Toronto 1911. Fall 1957 saw the initiation of Three generations of Symmes Betas pose with the chapter Loving Cup in 1960. three legacies, one of them being William Palm, Toronto ’61. He was pinned by his father, William H. Palm, Toronto ’33. Both would eventually attend the initiations of three more Betas in the next generation of the family, all three of them at the new chapters that sprang up in Canada during the 1980s. In November 1962, three Beta fathers pinned their badges on their three Beta sons: Sidney C. Hetherington, Toronto ’32 pinned his son John R. Hetherington, Toronto ’66. Douglas A. Johnson, Toronto ’31 pinned his son Douglas R. Johnson, Toronto ’65. Kenneth C. Legge, Toronto ’33 pinned his son David A. Legge, Toronto ’68. — 61 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
A significant event for the chapter came in 1952 with the chartering of the third Canadian chapter of Beta Theta Pi. The Toronto Betas had put in two years of work to form links with the Kappa Tau Sigma local fraternity at the University of Western Ontario, which desired affiliation with Beta Theta Pi. The men of Theta Zeta then worked doubly hard to convince the “powers that be” of the wisdom of this venture. It wasn’t easy work. The Toronto Betas had therefore every reason to be both relieved and proud of the success of the Kappa Tau Sigma petition. When the formal chartering took place on October 12, 1952, the Toronto men were present in large numbers. The arrival of a new chapter on a nearby Canadian campus did wonders for the Beta Spirits of the men in Theta Zeta, and warm ties between the two chapters quickly became a fact of life for both. Four years later, the Western Ontario Betas returned the favour by helping Toronto celebrate a significant landmark of its own. This greatest event of the decade for Toronto came on November 10, 1956 — the 50th anniversary celebration of the Theta Zeta Chapter. This was a true Beta evening when Beta brothers young and old joined to watch the milestones backward run together. Nine of the original 33 men who signed the roll book in Buffalo 50 years earlier were present to take part in this memorable event. Half a century of chapter life was recalled and relived by the men present. And what a half-century it had been. There had been six chapter houses on five different streets. The numbers had risen from the original 33 to well over 400. The chapter had weathered one major crisis, two world wars, a score of smaller disasters, and innumerable parties. The house had been repaired, renovated and restored with tender loving care until it provided as fine a set of student living quarters as could be found anywhere on the campus. The keynote speaker at the 50th anniversary banquet was A. J. G. Priest, Idaho ’18, President of the Fraternity and one of the all-time Beta Greats. His address was in his usual style: a mixture of humour and solemnity, wit and inspiration, all delivered with a flair and impeccable use of language that was his alone. On that memorable occasion, Priest and the other speakers made it a tribute to the work of Bev Hannah as much as a tribute to 50 years of Theta Zeta. History does not record any objection from any of the hundreds of men who attended. Most of them would have agreed that Bev Hannah, more than any other man, was the embodiment of the Theta Zeta Chapter. — 62 —
University of Toronto Chapter
In 1959, the University began to explore the possibilities of forming some sort of official relationship with the fraternities and sororities. Some of the fraternity men had been getting a bit out of hand, and the University wanted to exercise closer supervision. This would be more in line with what was already normal practice in the United States. Beta Theta Pi expressed its willingness to participate, provided — and this was made very clear — that any such plan included fraternity self-governance. In 1960, though, the University moved in the opposite direction altogether. A policy statement was issued by the Caput (the supreme governing body of the University of Toronto) which stated that the University would not recognize fraternities. In time, this statement would be made even stronger. This was quite a surprise after the expressions of interest just a year earlier. However, it would be only a few more years before a possible reason for this sudden reversal came to light. Perhaps it was as a result of this new policy that the Toronto men made a singular request to the District IV conclave in 1961. Theta Zeta Chapter expressed an interest in initiating men at a college not affiliated with the University of Toronto, and asked the representatives of Cornell and Syracuse to support their request for permission to do so. To the men from the New York chapters, this must have seemed strange. Indeed, in a situation where the fraternities operate as an integral part of the university (as in so many American schools), what point could there be
At the 1964 Dorg, this group shot shows three brothers who served at various times as Theta Zeta chapter counsellors with the chapter president. Left to Right: Owen S. Williams, Toronto ’50, Beverley Hannah, Toronto ’09, Fred W. Young, Toronto ’54, and Brian Tunnicliffe, Toronto ’68.
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Sons of the Northern Stars
to such a practice? The request for support was turned down. One wonders, though, if the Toronto chapter went ahead and did it anyway. The name of the other institution was never publicly mentioned. If the chapter did initiate men from another college, it wouldn’t be hard to keep the fact under wraps. After all, with no direct supervision from the University of Toronto, how would anyone find out? Although the 1950s and early 1960s were a golden age, it would be rash to assume that there were no problems during this time. Money, as always, played a major role in the chapter’s deliberations. Consider this item from the minutes of February 1960: “The profit from the Dorg, excluding kitchen expenses, was 92 cents in a negative sense.” Even though times were fairly prosperous, there were days when money was genuinely scarce and the hamburgers had to be “stretched” with bread crumbs. The most adept hamburger-stretcher was Mrs. Alma McIlroy. Beginning in the fall of 1951, Alma McIlroy served as house cook for 12 years. Or so it seemed to the casual observer. In reality, to the Betas she was very much more. True, she was a fine cook; she was also a steadying influence on the house. She was “our Mrs. Mac.” In her presence, the men always behaved like gentlemen, exactly the way she treated them. Mrs. Mac was a true housemother in the best sense of the word, even if she did not live in the house. In the spring of 1962, the Betas, undergrads and alumni alike, arranged a testimonial dinner in honour of Mrs. Mac, on the occasion of her 10th anniversary with Theta Zeta Chapter. This tribute to her was printed in The Beta Theta Pi: Mrs. Mac’s cheerful smile and certain subtle wit, which have a way of always being in order, have earned her the respect and friendship of the entire chapter. She could be praised for her fine cooking alone; but as we have learned, this is only one of her commendable qualities.
At that testimonial dinner, held at the King Edward Hotel before the annual Dorg, Chapter President Bruce Sale, Toronto ’63, made a speech of recognition and a presentation to Mrs. Mac. One alumnus who was present remembers: We gave her a Sweetheart pin, and she was just as proud of that pin as she would have been of the Koh-I-Noor Diamond. The Betas were her life. She was a wonderful person and had a soft spot in her heart for everyone. — 64 —
University of Toronto Chapter
Shortly after that dinner, Mrs. Mac became ill. She was diagnosed with cancer, and it soon became clear that it was terminal. She continued her work at the Beta house because there was no other place she would rather have been, and no one else who needed her as the Beta brothers did. She kept on working for months beyond the point where most people would have taken to their beds. Mrs. Mac receives the Sweetheart pin from Bruce Sale.
In the end, though, they had to call an ambulance to take her to the hospital. Only a few days later, she passed away. At Mrs. Mac’s funeral, there were family members and friends present, but most of the mourners — including all of her pallbearers — were from her “other family”: the Toronto Beta chapter for which she had done so much. Cooks have come and gone since, and some of them have been very good and fine people indeed. But there will never be another Mrs. Mac.
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—8—
The Great Housing Crisis For many of the years of Theta Zeta’s chapter history, the Theta Zeta
Corporation was able to transact almost all of its essential business for the year in a single annual meeting. After the Second World War, as the financial affairs of the chapter and its house increased in value and complexity, the number of meetings gradually grew. Even so, it was unusual to hold more than three meetings in any given year. That is, it was unusual until 1964 came along and Theta Zeta’s entire world was turned upside down. In March 1964, the University of Toronto served notice of intent to expropriate the Theta Zeta chapter house at 126 St. George Street. Such an action would be unthinkable in most of the universities comprising Beta’s Broad Domain. At these institutions, the fraternities are an integral part of campus life. In many cases, the chapters occupy university housing. In others, their individual houses are regarded as part and parcel of the university housing system. Fraternities at the University of Toronto, however, have no official recognition. As we have already seen, in earlier years, the University did study the possibility of taking some more direct role in the campus fraternity system. In the end, this possibility was rejected. Instead, the Caput (supreme governing authority) of the University issued a policy statement containing the following points: [1] There is not at the present time, nor has there been in the past, any formal relationship between the University of Toronto and fraternities... It follows that fraternities are in no sense recognized ... as bodies entitled to any University privileges.
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Sons of the Northern Stars
[2] The Caput is now taking action to secure the discontinuance of the use of the name “University of Toronto”... and any other practices which lend support to the erroneous belief that fraternities have any official position in or relationship to the University of Toronto. [3] In the event that membership in any group or club by a student enrolled in the University should be deemed inimical to the interests of the University, or the academic welfare of the student, such membership may be forbidden by the Caput.
Under this policy, it is clear that the University was in no sense cutting its own throat by expropriating the Beta house and other fraternity and sorority houses. There was no sacrifice of any part of the official campus housing system involved. Nor was there any adverse effect to the official University community as a whole as a result of this expropriation. The reason for this action was clear enough: the University of Toronto needed more space, and needed it in a hurry. The growth of university enrollments resulting from the influx of baby boomers was straining the facilities of the campus to the limit and beyond. The gracious old stone structures grouped around King’s College Circle were beautiful and historic buildings in their own right, and gave the University an aura of great academic distinction. But the available space was totally inadequate. Particular problems were faced by the heavily-stressed Athletic Department, operating out of the very limited spaces of Hart House, and the University Library, whose Sigmund Samuel building was filled to bursting with the library’s collections. The solution to these problems was a whole range of new buildings, located west and north of the existing campus along the west side of St. George Street. And right in the middle of the targeted tract of land was the square block bounded by Huron, Harbord and St. George Streets and Sussex Avenue — the block that held the Beta house and almost all of the other fraternity and sorority houses. Plans called for the entire block to be filled with a highrise university central library, combined with a special rare books library and a faculty of library science. All of this was foreseen, in broad outline if not in detail, by both the undergraduate chapter and the Theta Zeta Corporation. At the same time, human nature being what it is, the members of the chapter tried to deal with the problem by the “ignore-it-and-maybe-it-will-go-away” method. When the actual expropriation — 68 —
University of Toronto Chapter
papers did arrive, in October 1964, the reaction could perhaps best be described as “shocked but not surprised.” The University’s first formal offer on expropriation value of the Theta Zeta house was $77,000. In light of the fine condition of the house, and the value which the property would have on the open market, this offer could only be called insulting. The Theta Zeta Corporation immediately engaged J. D. Arnup, Q.C., as solicitor to carry on negotiations with the University. Arnup informed the University that the Corporation was rejecting the first offer outright. By September 1965, the offer had risen to $102,000. This figure might be regarded as bordering on the low end of “realistic,” but still was neither reasonable nor generous — and this offer was also refused. Throughout this time, the housing crisis dominated the meetings of the Corporation and the undergraduate chapter alike. Owen Williams, in his dual role as chapter co-counsellor and house corporation president, was on hand at almost every meeting to keep the chapter informed and to advise the members. Plain from the beginning was the fact that there was no way to save the existing Beta house. From that point on, the debate would be over the question of new construction versus old house renovation. By early 1966, the Corporation had decided that the construction of a brand-new, purpose-designed fraternity house was the route to take. On straightforward economic grounds, the new house was a winner. The major maintenance costs of an older structure would be avoided for a generation or two. Also gone would be the need to try to improvise suitable accommodations for the needs of the Fraternity out of spaces designed for quite other purposes. Equally attractive, though, were the charm and atmosphere of a period house, which would seem less like a faceless apartment block and more like a home. That special air of distinction could be an important recruitment tool, especially when compared with the characterless rooms in the University’s own dormitories. This idea caused the beginnings of a split in the chapter. The two viewpoints were carefully explained in meetings by their proponents, and the chapter divided into two main groups: one in favour of a new house, and the other in favour of renovation. As time went by, this split became more open, and the chapter suffered from it.
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Sons of the Northern Stars
The obvious difficulty with new construction was the cost. No matter how the Corporation tried to juggle the attributes of the new house, the numbers kept coming out too high. As these figures kept mounting, the Corporation began to consider a modified version of the new house plan. This called for a large double structure, with Beta Theta Pi using one half and Sigma Chi occupying the other. Design plans were prepared on this basis. These plans were first presented to the undergraduates by Owen Williams at the chapter meeting on March 21, 1966. Discussions continued in chapter and corporation meetings, and delegations went back and forth, each group trying to convey a strong sense of its feelings to the other. It was at this point that communication between the chapter and the Theta Zeta Corporation began to erode. More and more members of the chapter were turning against the new house idea. What swayed their thinking most was the natural desire to have a house all to themselves. Their concerns about having to share a house with Sigma Chi were strongly presented to the Corporation. Meanwhile, the University was ready to expropriate and demolish the house, and interim quarters would have to be found until the new house was built. The University was at least prepared to negotiate the date for vacating the house, so as not to disrupt unduly the academic work of the brothers. At the chapter meeting of September 19, 1966, the minutes stated: Destruction of 126 St. George Street has been extended till the end of exams. However, destruction will be rapid — brothers will have to move rapidly in order to escape death by crushing.
Although the members of Theta Zeta were obviously not losing their sense of humour under pressure, this jest had a rather bitter flavour. Later that month, Fred Young, Toronto ’54, told the members at a meeting about the Corporation’s plans for a fundraising drive. The purpose: to raise a sum of $60,000, enabling the construction of the new house to begin. Young described the fund drive brochures, which would include the history of the chapter and some sketches of the proposed new house. Meanwhile, the Betas had to leave 126 St. George Street and they had to have some other place to sleep. In October 1966, the Corporation purchased a double house at 87/89 Willcocks Street, a location not far southwest of the old house and still fairly close to the centre of the campus. The Betas packed up and moved, unwillingly but without any choice, and tried to settle in and make the best of their new quarters. — 70 —
University of Toronto Chapter
The following month, Owen Williams had to inform the chapter that the fund drive was a little slow getting off the mark. The best time frame that could now be hoped for would be the start of the fund drive in January 1967, with actual house construction getting underway in April. Upon hearing this, the brothers of the undergraduate chapter were somewhat upset, to put it mildly. The “interim” Toronto Beta house at 87/89 Willcocks Street
There were several reasons. The Willcocks Street houses were neither as large nor in as good condition as the old house. The layout of this double structure was a very poor one for the Betas’ needs. This, in turn, was hampering the chapter in its efforts to recruit and pledge first-class men. The recruits tended, understandably, to be deterred as soon as they saw the house. Worst of all, the chapter was now told that it would be stuck with this substandard housing at least until the end of the 1966-67 school year — and maybe longer. The whole unpleasant mess was gravely compounded by the glacial speed of the Canadian legal system. Zeta Psi Fraternity challenged the University’s expropriation offer in the Ontario Court of Appeal. Beta Theta Pi, and all the other affected Greek societies, decided to await the outcome of the Zeta Psi appeal. That result could then be used as a basis of their own settlements with the University. The hitch with this procedure was that the cash settlement to come from the University was a necessary part of financing for new construction. Nothing could be done beyond fundraising while the Zeta Psi appeal remained sub judice. Added to these frustrations was the clear realization that there could be no going back. Early in 1967, the Betas stood on the east side of St. George Street and watched in bitter frustration as their home, so often called the “ideal fraternity house,” crumbled under the wrecker’s ball. It was the end of a long era for the Theta Zeta Chapter. At least the chapter members could console themselves with one vital point. The new house would now be exclusively Beta. The Corporation had agreed that — 71 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
the fraternal disadvantages of the shared house won out over the cost advantages. Sigma Chi subsequently proceeded with its own new construction on Huron Street, behind the massive new Robarts Library (sometimes informally referred to as “Fort Book”) that displaced the former Fraternity Row. The men of Theta Zeta never stopped looking forward during this crisis. This was tough at a time when every man’s hand seemed to be against them. But the chapter had to be maintained; Fraternity life had to “carry on.” The future still existed and they had to be ready to meet it. Was it with such thoughts in mind that Stan Zuly, Toronto ’68, approached the meeting of February 6, 1967? What we do know is that his “Eight Betatudes” were carefully written in the minutes: The new Robarts Library which displaced the old Beta House on St. George Street
[1] Blessed be the trophy case and ceremonial gowns, for they should be well stored and cleaned. [2] Blessed are the chapter photographs, for they shall be framed. [3] Blessed is the Beta ritual equipment, for it shall be touched up. [4] Blessed be the Beta book cabinet for , it shall be built by our own sweat. [5] Blessed be the Thallos Zoos, for it shall be called the memory of Beta. [6] Blessed be our song books, for they shall sing praises to Wooglin. [7] Blessed be a new letter box with the alphabet from A to Z, for it shall possess from Carter to Zuly. [8] Blessed be a new Beta house, for therein shall rest the children of Wooglin.
This humorous catalogue of future directions has a quality about it that is, at the same time, both flippantly defiant and just a bit wistful, as if the “children of — 72 —
University of Toronto Chapter
Wooglin” were gazing into the Promised Land of a decent chapter house from the wrong side of Willcocks Street. Plainly, too, Brother Zuly and his contemporaries must have wondered if Theta Zeta would ever surmount the barriers in its path. By October 1967, the whole idea of new construction was beginning to evaporate. Many of the men of the undergraduate chapter were now certain that a new house was not what they wanted at all. The other fraternities were moving elsewhere, and the Betas wanted to be near them. Also, and rather surprisingly, the fundraising drive was not bringing in anything like the amount of donation pledges and cash that was needed. This failure would have been especially galling to those alumni who were working so hard, in the Corporation and with the chapter, trying to solve the housing problem. By late 1967, an even bigger problem was looming: the brothers of the active chapter were beginning to lose faith in the Theta Zeta Corporation. In retrospect, this was probably a classic case of communication breakdown. In such situations, people listen to each other in a selective way, and subconsciously edit what they hear. It seems safe to say that it was happening here, even though neither party intended to ignore the other’s views. Also, both sides were suffering from disappointed expectations about each other’s actions. Clearly, the supporters of the “old house” and “new house” points of view were now taking up more entrenched positions, and pushing their views more forcefully than ever before. Certainly, the undergraduate chapter’s mood was becoming angrier. The chapter minutes state that the Corporation members were “told” to explain to the chapter what they were doing. Also, a vote of the chapter on October 23, 1967, directed the chapter president to “express to the Corporation the dissatisfaction of the chapter” with the way the housing crisis was being handled. With such strong words in the minutes, one can safely assume that even stronger language was used off the record. Plainly the Corporation and the active chapter were nearing the breaking point. Their relationship was at a perilously low ebb, a fact which could only spell trouble for the future. At the beginning of 1968, the whole unpleasant situation was still hanging fire. In particular the question of old versus new house was still being discussed. Owen Williams reported to the chapter (on January 8, 1968) the points in favour of a new house. These included a reduced cost of upkeep, favourable cost-comparison to renovation of an older property, and a reasonable tax load. — 73 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Against these factors had to be set the negative reaction of the chapter. With their thumbs down, the fate of the new Beta house was virtually sealed. The relative failure of the fundraising drive put the final nail into the coffin. One entire year of work had brought in just $23,000 in cash and pledges, leaving at least $37,000 more to be raised before construction of a new house could even begin. The Corporation just wasn’t getting the financial support from alumni that a new house would require. At least and at last, the legal log jam finally broke down. In January 1969, the Supreme Court of Ontario ruled in favour of Zeta Psi, ordering the University to pay the fraternity’s claim in full. The Corporation met on February 17, 1969, and soon decided to send John Arnup back to negotiate a settlement with the University, using the Zeta Psi ruling as a precedent. Meanwhile, the next move was also to be decided at this time. In the same meeting, the Corporation voted to sell 87/89 Willcocks Street and to seek another property in a good location north of Bloor Street. This was the most difficult decision ever made by the Corporation in its history. This decision meant throwing away all the years of hard work that had gone into designing the several versions of the “new” Beta house. It also meant that the Corporation members would have to keep worrying about the maintenance problems that plague older houses. No one even knew if the donation pledges given to finance a new house would be honoured if an older house were purchased instead. On the other hand, there were very good and valid reasons for this choice. First and foremost, the brothers of the undergraduate chapter had made it clear that a new house was not for them — and of course the house would be for the chapter’s use. That said, the double house on Willcocks Street was definitely not the right place. It was prohibitively expensive to maintain (let alone renovate), and the layout was totally unsuitable. Finally, many other fraternities had moved away from the centre of the campus, and taken up quarters north of Bloor Street. By entering the fine old residential neighbourhood known as “the Annex,” the Betas would remain close to the other Greek houses. This decision, taken with so much heart-searching, was executed on October 1, 1969. The Theta Zeta Corporation purchased the house at 131 Lowther Avenue for $150,000. For the seventh time in its history, the Theta Zeta Chapter moved house and settled into new quarters. The new — 74 —
University of Toronto Chapter
home, on a corner in the middle of the Annex, was (and is) a fine old residence of stone and wood construction. Several gables and dormers poke out of the roof here and there, and large bay windows light the lower floors, as does a substantial two-storey sun porch on the south side. The house has a rather medieval English look as it stands on its large corner lot shaded by tall trees. The current Toronto Beta house at 131 Lowther Avenue, as it appeared in the 1980s
At least the potential was there, but a great deal of work would be needed before the Lowther Avenue house could come up to the standard of 126 St. George Street. Also, the Willcocks Street property still hung like a millstone around the Corporation’s neck. It was not until September 1971 that the Corporation succeeded in selling it for $65,000, a sum which helped to pay down the mortgages on the Lowther Avenue house. In retrospect, they were lucky to get that much for the place, and must have been glad to see the last of it. At this time, it would seem that the Theta Zeta Chapter must at last have reached smoother waters and clear sailing after the seven long years of disruption and uncertainty over the housing crisis. Certainty, though, continued to elude them. The house might be secure, but the chapter faced another crisis within its own ranks.
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The Downhill Slide In the early 1970s, the Toronto chapter was in grave danger of collapse in
a way that had not been seen since the First World War. The visible cause was a serious enrollment problem. Although Toronto had never really sought a huge chapter (as some schools did), there was still a basic minimum number of brothers required in order for the chapter to function effectively. By 1972, the Toronto chapter had fallen well below that level. It was, in fact, a difficult time for all fraternities everywhere. The relevance of the Greek system was being called into question by many university students. This was the era of Vietnam, Watergate and Kent State. One brother who was active in the chapter at this time described the college students of the day in this manner: That whole generation was trying to forge a new start in a lot of ways. They were very, very idealistic, a concerned generation, and fraternities, because they were associated so much with tradition and historical ways of doing things, did not fit in.
A look through The Beta Theta Pi issues from this era certainly bears him out. In many issues, whole pages were given over to articles and letters articulating the varying viewpoints on major issues of the day. Also, there is a clear sense that the Fraternity as a whole was struggling to hold its ground against powerful interests that wanted to give it a complete overhaul and remake. And those were only the internal influences. Even more powerful forces were lined up against the fraternities from without. Seen as a vehicle of wealth, privilege, and exclusivity, the Greek letter societies were consigned by many to the trash — 77 —
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bin of history. In fact, many colleges at this time made concerted efforts to rid themselves of fraternities altogether. It was one of the earliest manifestations of what has since become known as “political correctness.” Thus, the late 1960s and early 1970s produced some of the toughest times for the Greek world since its earliest beginnings. The membership of fraternities and sororities in all parts of North America suffered a drastic and dramatically swift decline. The old established fraternal customs and traditions had been weighed in the balance and, by many, found wanting. All Beta chapters had to face and grapple with these problems. In Toronto, they were exacerbated by the lack of any formal relationship with the University. As social attitudes changed ever more dramatically, the Toronto chapter found it harder to counter the negative thinking of anti-fraternity students. These problems alone could have been overcome in time, as indeed they were on most campuses. It was the particular misfortune of the Theta Zeta Chapter that this wholesale social upheaval coincided with the housing crisis. The final purchase of a new house did not totally defuse the emotional tension of the preceding months. Such was the level of tension that some formerly loyal alumni supporters were scarcely on speaking terms with the brothers of the undergraduate chapter. The total dislocation produced by two moves, and the general air of uncertainty, was not conducive to effective recruitment. As one alumnus later put it: It was a very devastating blow for the chapter to have had to move out of 126 St. George. We made a big mistake moving down to Willcocks Street. The guys didn’t like it on Willcocks. They were unwelcome in the neighbourhood and the houses were terrible. Then the whole thing soured — they were not interested in living there — and I guess the whole chapter started to run downhill.
As a further problem, the University was shifting from latent to active hostility. This surely must have been spurred on by the lengthy and acrimonious dispute over expropriation values for the various chapter houses. The official statement of the Caput on fraternities (as examined in the previous section) dates in its current form from these years. There were times, during the early 1970s, when it seemed as though the Theta Zeta Chapter had lost the collective will to survive and “carry on” in the great Toronto Beta tradition. Few members perceived a valid role for the chapter — 78 —
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within the General Fraternity, which was now seen as an unnecessary drain on the chapter. In 1971, the district chief ’s report stated that Theta Zeta was questioning the value of the General Fraternity: (They ask this) not so much from a nationalistic position, but more from its perceived relevance to the day-to-day affairs of the local chapters. These questions continue to be asked, which means that we in the General Fraternity have not yet provided satisfactory answers.
The comment about nationalism is interesting. At the same time, both of the other Canadian chapters were attacking the relevance of an “American” General Fraternity to them. The men began to discard traditional fraternity practices, or treated them in a casual way. The meaning and purpose of the few practices that were used was seldom explained or even understood. No organized pledge program existed. Pledges were handed pledge pins, but not told what to do with them. Badges were not ordered for initiates. Beta singing was casually performed, and the initiation ritual was performed for a number of years in an unauthorized modified version. The house, too, was sometimes taken for granted. It had not been left in good condition by its former owners. The “castle” on the corner of Huron and Lowther had potential, but very little of substance could be done to improve its condition. Public areas benefitted from fresh paint, but still showed signs of years of wear and tear. The hardwood floors were covered with multiple coats of paint. Plumbing and wiring were decrepit; the kitchen, dingy and ill-equipped, and the quality of the meals often left something to be desired. About the only substantial repair the Corporation could afford was a necessary replacement of the roof. If there had been any feeling in favour of trying to improve or renovate the house, the ongoing plans for the Spadina Expressway would have killed it. This highway was planned as the major traffic artery connecting the northwestern suburbs to downtown Toronto and was planned to run right down Spadina Avenue, two short blocks west of the Beta house. If sweeping property expropriations were needed to make room for an interchange at Bloor Street — as seemed all too likely — the Betas were in danger of being kicked out of their house again for the second time in less than a decade. At best, the brothers might have been left with a noisy house perched on the edge of a six-lane superhighway. It was a far cry from the shady, quiet neighbourhood they knew. In the end, the expressway — 79 —
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project was killed by the provincial government, but at this time, it posed a huge question mark over the future of the chapter. More and more, the Beta house began to resemble any of the numerous rooming houses in its neighbourhood. Less and less each month was it the kind of fraternity chapter which had so often won Toronto golden accolades in the past. As the slide continued, fewer and fewer men were initiated each year. In former years, pledge classes of 15-20 men were not uncommon. In the early and mid-1970s, some classes included only three or four men. The house had to be filled with non-Betas in order to remain open. Each non-Beta who moved in diminished the fraternal spirit a little more, and reduced by that much more the incentive to men to become Beta brothers. In the fall of 1970, the district chief ’s annual report noted the decline in membership, with emphasis on the large number of graduates in the spring and the small number of new initiates. The numbers slid further, and the criteria of membership became easier. At this time, it was possible for almost anyone to become a Toronto Beta. Indeed, a simple announcement that someone wanted to become a member was an occasion for enthusiastic applause in a chapter meeting. The ease of attaining membership decreased the value of Betahood, and still fewer men took the step. Indeed, it became clear that many of the brothers had joined merely to get the best rate on a room and a cheap meal plan. Whenever the chapter tried to raise itself to a higher fraternal level, some of these men would start to drift away, or at least reduce their involvement. During this terrible downhill slide, alumni support and interest also diminished. In cases where alumni did attend chapter events, some of them came away convinced that the young men now inhabiting the Beta house weren’t proper Betas and never would be. The few alumni who remained faithful and tried to assist the chapter in its difficulties were sometimes rebuffed by chapter members. By April 1972, the chapter’s report to The Beta Theta Pi spoke of “the absence of any alumni support...” It wasn’t always out in the open, but there was a residue of bitterness from the years of disagreement over the house construction plan, especially at the time when joint construction with Sigma Chi was proposed. As a pledge in 1974, the present author was told, “Watch out for the alumni. Don’t trust them — they’re just out to screw us around.” This attitude was further promoted by the general trend of the times away from any reliance on elders. The term “generation gap” was widely used, and the — 80 —
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inability of any person over 30 to understand the attitudes of the young was an accepted article of belief for many college students. Young people wore their “anti-establishment” attitudes proudly. Whatever the causes, this tension served only to widen the rift between undergraduates and alumni at exactly the time when alumni support was most desperately needed. By 1973, the position of the chapter was precarious indeed. Following the timeworn device of making a negative into a positive, the chapter proudly announced in The Beta Theta Pi that “Theta Zeta continues to believe in quality, not quantity.” Coming right after the news that the chapter had initiated only three men during the whole of the previous year, this boast has a slightly hollow ring to it. It wasn’t all bad news, of course. The chapter developed a commendable interest in the affairs of the wider world beyond the front doorstep of the house. They participated in the Annex Ratepayers Association, and sponsored an all-candidates meeting during the 1971 provincial election campaign. They also organized a winter carnival for neighbourhood children in the tiny parkette across the street from the house. But it is certainly the negatives that dominate both chapter and district chief reports during those years. The General Fraternity tried to do what it could, but that was very little. At this time, the paid Beta staff of the Administrative Office consisted of exactly two men: an administrative secretary and an administrative assistant. These two men must have felt as though they were trying to sweep back the tide with brooms, for Theta Zeta was only one of many chapters in crisis in the early 1970s. In the fall of 1973, Administrative Secretary Peter Barnhart, Miami ’66, paid a visit to the Toronto chapter. As a first step, he asked for a meeting of the entire chapter membership. Legend has it that only two men showed up, out of a membership of six! At that point, it must have seemed that things could not go any lower. Some Betas may have felt that the only sensible thing to do was to revoke the charter. Then again, due to the general breakdown of undergraduatealumni communication, it’s possible that only a small handful of alumni realized just what dire straits the chapter had gotten into while they weren’t looking. Throughout this dark time, the chapter maintained a few firm friends among the alumni. One was Owen Williams, Toronto ’50, who had served for many years as co-counsellor, and for a time as district chief. By this time, Owen was filling the role of house corporation president and was a frequent visitor. He spent much time and energy encouraging improvements to the living quarters and ensuring — 81 —
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that the bills were paid on time. Owen was not universally liked (hardly any alumni were in those days, as we’ve already pointed out!) but he was respected for his hard work in the cause. Many Betas came to appreciate later the extent of his dedication and devotion to the Fraternity. Today, the name Owen Williams is as much a byword among Canadian Betas as those of Bev Hannah, Gordon Burke or Duncan McLarty. Another man whose support of the chapter remained legendary was Bev Hannah himself. Throughout the long history of Theta Zeta Chapter, Beverley Hannah, Toronto 1906, had always been there. He was a charter initiate of the chapter, number 26 on the roll. He had become chapter counsellor in 1921. In 1971, he still served in that function. His commitment to Beta Theta Pi at the University of Toronto neither faltered nor faded. He was not one of the ones prepared to let the chapter go under because of its lack of Beta tradition and Beta Spirit. There had been times when Bev Hannah had been forced by career pressures and other factors to take a back seat to the harder work of others. For a number of years, he shared the responsibilities of chapter counsellor with Owen Williams. But he was always on hand with wise advice, and that deep love of the Fraternity that always distinguishes the truly great Beta. Now his chapter was in crisis. A lesser man might have said, in those dark days, “Let them look out as have the watch.” That was not Bev Hannah’s nature. The affection and respect which Bev Hannah’s enduring loyalty had generated among his brothers were clearly demonstrated in March 1971. A banquet was held at the Park Plaza Hotel that month to celebrate his 50 years of service as chapter counsellor to Toronto. Dozens of Betas were present who had passed through the Toronto Beta chapter, in its several houses, and had known the friendship and firm guidance of Bev Hannah. Among them were three who had gone on to serve as district chiefs: Norman Caudwell, Toronto 1911, Joseph Dawson, Toronto ’33, and Owen Williams, Toronto ’50. At this banquet, an engraved silver tray was presented, on behalf of the alumni, by General Fraternity Vice President Peter Van de Water, St. Lawrence ’58. The tray bore this inscription:
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University of Toronto Chapter
Vice President Peter van de Water presents an engraved tray to Dr. Bev Hannah.
At the tribute dinner: (L – R) VP Van de Water, present District Chief Douglas Reid, Norman Caudwell, Dr. Bev Hannah, Owen Williams and Dr. Joseph Dawson
DR. BEVERLEY HANNAH Chapter Counselor In appreciation of 50 years of guidance with care and concern for the men of Theta Zeta Chapter, Beta Theta Pi. A man is manifest by his works and by those whom he has touched.
On this night of celebration, the long and varied career and Beta achievements of Bev Hannah were told over again. Surely, though, it was no accident that a photo printed in The Beta Theta Pi later that year showed him with a group of the current Toronto undergraduates. His focus in Beta Theta Pi was right where it always had been. In the fall of 1974, Bev Hannah suffered a severe stroke which left him incapacitated. The chapter received a letter from his attorney advising that he was not in a position to sign any letters or transact other business for the time being. He never recovered. Dr. Beverley Hannah died on November 10, 1974, aged 87. He had been a brother of Beta Theta Pi for 68 years — and one day. Throughout his long life of hard work and service to his community and to the fraternity he loved — 83 —
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so well, he had demonstrated — he had lived — the truth of the old saying: “Once a Beta, always a Beta.” And it was no less true that the life of Bev Hannah was indeed made manifest by the hearts of the hundreds of Toronto Betas whose lives he had touched through the years.
Dr. Hannah with chapter undergraduates at Christmas 1971
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Recovery The recovery of the Theta Zeta Chapter from the low days of the early 1970s
was not an overnight affair. It took time. During this process, there must have been days when the Betas wondered if their chapter was doomed to go the way of so many others. Several fraternity chapters in Toronto had closed already, and there were numerous Beta chapters in other colleges on the ropes. There were certainly times when it seemed impossible to stir up any enthusiasm for the fraternal idea.
Yet, even at the lowest ebb, there were always at least a few brothers to be found in the ranks of the chapter who were Beta through and through. These were the men who understood the true value of Beta, Theta and Pi, and were unwilling to let them die out of the Toronto chapter. There were also, as already noted, a handful of loyal alumni who stood by the chapter no matter how black things became. These men deserve the credit for keeping Beta Theta Pi alive in Toronto. For many of the men initiated in the early 1970s, the major benefit offered to them by the Fraternity was cheap room and board while at school. There were some who could never see any further than that. Equally, though, there were more receptive minds in which the Beta Spirit began to work its mysterious alchemy. These were the men who began the process of reconstructing the distinctive “je ne sais quoi,” the certain something which had traditionally distinguished fraternities from rooming houses, and Beta Theta Pi from other fraternities. One man who entered the chapter at this time remembers being chiefly impressed by the orderly and businesslike approach to weekly meetings. Later on, the initiation ritual impressed him in a different — but equally forceful — way:
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The ceremony of initiation was very serious, and very seriously taken too. I can remember the Treasurer taking me aside and impressing upon me the seriousness of the ceremony. “You probably won’t catch it all the day of the ceremony because you may not really be paying attention to the words, but you should make a point of taking the Ritual later and reading it over because there is a lot of meaning there that we cherish very dearly.” I was really struck by that because I never thought that anyone could take any ceremony that seriously.
The treasurer’s advice to this neophyte — very good advice to all Betas, young or old — shows that all was not lost. Whatever some might have thought, the spirit of Beta Theta Pi was definitely alive and well in at least some of the chapter’s brothers. Five years earlier, many university students were rejecting wholesale the values of their elders. Following that massive purge, they needed to develop their own value systems from scratch. In the process, they began to discover interesting new angles on some of the old ideas. Not all traditional values were imposed for the sake of depriving young people of their freedom. At least some of the old ideas were good, precisely because they were useful and practical. Mutual assistance in the honourable labours and aspirations of life, devotion to the cultivation of the intellect, unsullied friendship and unfaltering fidelity were not just decorative sayings; they were workable, sensible, even practical ways of organizing a life. The Founders of the Fraternity, of course, had sensed this instinctively. It seems that this may be a life lesson which has to be re-learned by the Fraternity at regular intervals — say, every 20 years or so. Thus, the rethinking of values that had carried many people beyond the limitations of the traditional social “universe” during the late 1960s had now brought some of them full circle, back to the core of sane solidity which institutions such as college fraternities represented. The ethics and principles of Beta Theta Pi came as wonderful new discoveries to these men. At the same time, they had the unique and truly exhilarating experience of rebuilding the Toronto chapter after its brush with extinction. One of the great aspects of this rebuilding was the feeling that the brothers were building the chapter in a way that would make it useful to them. Their chapter would never be an exact clone of the good old house at 126 St. George Street, but it would be a distinctive life experience in its own right. Many of the things that were going on during this time period would have made some of the old-timers — 86 —
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throw up their hands in despair, but there was a quality of justness and rightness for the particular situation that distinguished the chapter’s activities. Instead of the traditional pre-initiation pranks of yore, such as the “brick chase,” the new-look Beta chapter adopted pledge work weeks. This made infinite good sense in a house where scores of major and minor repairs needed to be done. For instance, the author’s pledge class in November 1974 spent a Thursday and Friday evening, and much of a Saturday, cleaning out the old furnace room and the storage room behind it – with the help of the brothers of the active chapter. The thick layer of coal dust all over everything gave rise to a degree of “black comedy,” but the dusty humour helped make the job more endurable. Pledge work projects and chapter work weekends marked important steps on the road to making the house more liveable. They were also great builders of esprit de corps in the chapter. At that stage in the house’s evolution, such activities were not only desirable, but essential. Meanwhile, an important new initiative by the General Fraternity was also providing a needed boost to Toronto. During the 1970s, a new series of regional leadership workshops were begun. These workshops were planned like miniconventions, with training activities, dinner, undergraduate speaker, and social time all as part of the program. Each invited chapter would be able to send up to 10 men, plus an advisor (such as a chapter counsellor) at the General Fraternity’s expense. These workshops were rotated around North America in such a way that each region had one every third year. In the spring of 1974, Toronto was invited to a leadership workshop in Columbus, Ohio, and three fairly new brothers went down to represent Theta Zeta. One of them later recalled the effect of the event in these words: We were overwhelmed by the reception we got! It really made a big impression on us that people we’d never met before came up to us and shook our hands and welcomed us. We came back from that weekend having learned an immense amount about the potential of the Fraternity.
Anyone who has ever attended a workshop, convention, leadership program or a major regional conclave will testify that such a feeling and experience is common. But what did these men from Toronto do with their overwhelming experience in Columbus?
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We staged a presentation at the next chapter meeting, and told those guys: “You think this is a fraternity? You want to know what a real fraternity is about!” That got people thinking about what was possible. It generated a little bit of energy for the next recruitment, and things snowballed from there.
That snowballing recruitment marked a second important factor as the chapter’s recruiting spread to some fields that had not received much attention in recent years. This meant the professional faculties, and a particularly strong core group came from the forestry faculty. Another important step was strictly not according to the charter. Theta Zeta began to do some recruiting among the students of Ryerson Polytechnical Institute, which was a totally separate institution from the University of Toronto. The Ryerson recruitment certainly would not have received the General Fraternity’s approval, but the men of the chapter reasoned that what the powers-that-be didn’t know wouldn’t hurt them! The men from Ryerson made major contributions to the recovery process, not just with their presence and their money, but also with their valuable input as brothers. In 1975, with the aid of a revitalized social program, the chapter was able to pledge and initiate 11 men. This might not sound impressive, but it was the largest single pledge class in almost a decade. This big success marked the chapter’s emergence from the cloud of anti-fraternity bias which had dogged recruiting efforts for so long. With this large group of active and enthusiastic recruits, Theta Zeta was on a roll. A red-letter day came along in the following year. The last “barbarian” departed from the house and was replaced with a new initiate. For the first time since the move to Lowther Avenue, the entire house was occupied by Beta brothers. Everyone in the chapter could feel the importance of this milestone. As interest and activity revived, so did a perception that the surviving Greek letter societies needed a strong collective voice. Beta Theta Pi’s social chairman, Rob McConnell, Toronto ’79, led the way in efforts to revive the moribund Inter-Fraternity Council. A newly-minted Greek Week soon followed, and the Greeks arrived back in view around the University in a big way. Even though official recognition was (and is) still withheld, the “vendetta” atmosphere of earlier years quietly fell away, and the official Caput statement gathered dust on a shelf. — 88 —
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The fourth main factor in the rebirth of Theta Zeta had to do with the house itself, the old “castle” on the corner of Huron and Lowther. When the house was purchased in 1969, its potential for development was obvious and there was hope for major work to be done on the premises. For years, though, the active chapter lacked the manpower to do more than band-aid surgery. As for the Theta Zeta Corporation, it was handicapped by the difficulty of resolving its finances after the battle with the University and the struggle to sell the Willcocks Street property. The most that could be done in the early 1970s was the essential (and costly) job of replacing the roof with all its dormers and gables. But work was essential. If the house were to fulfill its proper role in attracting top-quality men to Beta Theta Pi, then much more drastic repairs and renovations would be needed. Some voices in the active chapter began to assert that, if the house were to be fixed up properly, more people would want to live there. Early in 1976, detailed plans were worked out with the Corporation for a large renovation project. In March, a mortgage of $29,000 was obtained at 11.75%, and work began right away. In scale, this was smaller than the renovation of 126 St. George Street made possible by the 1952 fundraising drive, but it was nonetheless a major task. The wiring and electrical panels were overhauled, with circuit breakers replacing fuses. A new system of smoke detectors and fire alarms was installed. Bedroom walls were moved and a new fire exit was created on the third floor. The ground floor public rooms were thoroughly renovated, with a new and brighter paint scheme and modern track lighting. An entirely new kitchen was constructed, and a new bathroom added. The beautiful hardwood floors were stripped of their umpteen coats of varicoloured paint and refinished with a glowing urethane coating that allowed the natural beauty of the wood to shine. The two huge hardwood tables in the dining room got the same revitalizing treatment. With new furniture and carpets added, the house looked truly impressive, and visitors were not slow to say so. The most striking change came on the main floor, where the new track lighting dramatically illuminated the World War I memorial plaque, now hung in a prominent location on the main staircase landing. The total project was carried through on time and within budget, much to the surprise of the chapter. The members, of course, had aided on both counts with their enthusiastic and skillful demolition work! The key facilitator of the work — 89 —
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from within the chapter was president John Stephenson, Toronto ’81, who made full use of his skills and contacts as a student of the Faculty of Architecture.
The War memorial plaque from World War I in its new home
In the spring of 1977, four brothers travelled to another leadership workshop, and once again the chapter got a strong infusion of Beta Spirit as a result. This workshop was held in Philadelphia, and was timed to coincide with the re/chartering of the Pennsylvania chapter, which had been closed for a number of years. Without the work of many brothers, Theta Zeta too might have been awaiting its turn to re/charter.
The chapter experienced a slow but steady increase in alumni support. Theta Zeta had never had to make do with no assistance at all, but there had been times when alumni visitors had been few and far between. Now the few began to be joined by a few more, and a few more again. These men, many of whom had graduated during the glory days of the 1950s and 1960s, brought new awareness of Beta songs in particular, and the chapter began to sing more regularly. Of course, the alumni had never abandoned each other. There was one particular gang of men from the classes of 1945-49 who held regular reunions each summer in the Muskoka Lakes area. In 1976, this group held its 20th annual get-together, and its claim to a longevity record was published in The Beta Theta Pi, along with a photograph of the Beta brothers and their Beta Sweethearts. The article pointed out that what had been true in the 1950s was still true decades later: many of the ladies knew the songs just as well as the brothers! Twenty years later, in 1996, another picture in the magazine highlighted the 40th annual reunion of this group of dedicated brothers and Beta Sweethearts. As a sign of increasing commitment among alumni to the Fraternity, 1979 brought the formation of an alumni association in Toronto. There had not been an active association in the city for many years, so there was some confusion as to whether this was the same body as the Theta Zeta Corporation. It wasn’t. The new association existed primarily to organize events of interest to alumni, and to help forge stronger links between alumni and undergraduates. Property management was not its role. At the same time, the organizers wanted to — 90 —
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The Muskoka reunion group of Theta Zeta Alumni, 20th anniversary reunion in 1976
The Muskoka reunion group of Theta Zeta alumni, 40th anniversary reunion in 1996
make it plain that this association was not solely for alumni of Theta Zeta. The name chosen, “Southern Ontario Area Alumni Association,” might have been cumbersome, but it underlined the fact that alumni of any and all chapters who happened to live in or near Toronto were equally welcome.
The Presentation of the Alumni Association Charter by VP Friedrichs. The Charter is held by Norm Caudwell. On the left are Friedrichs and the first President of the Alumni Association, Stanley Neal, Toronto ’62.
The charter of the new association was presented by General Fraternity Vice President Edward C. Friedrichs, Washington & Jefferson ’52, at a luncheon at the Royal York Hotel, and received by the oldest living Beta in the area, Norman S. Caudwell, number 44 on the chapter roll, who was still hale and hearty in his 90s and never missed an alumni event!
The new Association set itself an agenda of three yearly events: business day luncheons in October and April, and a black-tie stag banquet in February. This plan was followed for many years, and the black-tie event in particular had some notable successes. Guest speakers at each event were drawn — 91 —
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from among the most distinguished Canadian brothers of the Fraternity, and undergraduates were strongly urged to attend. They often did, coming from all the chapters in Ontario and Quebec. The association was later renamed, with a nod to the history of the region it served, as the “Upper Canada Alumni Association.” The great renovation project of the 1970s seemed to leave in its wake a beautiful and useful house, with a great many positives. At least, that’s what the Beta brothers thought. The city’s fire and building inspectors knew better! One has to wonder if someone in the city administration had a negative perception of fraternities, or whether this treatment was being visited on all kinds of offcampus shared accommodations. At any rate, it came to resemble total war. In a running battle that stretched over many years — clear into the 1980s, in fact — the inspectors descended upon the Beta house time and time again. The usual process was that the inspector would go around the house, in company with the chapter president and one or two representatives of the Corporation, and produce a “hit list” of safety violations that needed to be corrected right away — or else. With that threat, the work would begin, with the Corporation providing the financing and arranging for contractors when needed. The inspectors would then return to approve the work, at which time a new list of demands would be presented. On one memorable occasion, the fire inspector required the construction of a wall and a new corridor to open an alternative emergency exit on the third floor. The work was done, at fairly considerable expense. Only a few years later, another fire inspector demanded that the corridor and wall be removed and the alternative exit closed, presumably because it could create too much through-draft of air that could feed a fire! Although the expenses of all of this work were kept as low as possible, the work had to be done and a certain degree of cost was unavoidable. The Corporation earned a vote of thanks from the district chief for seeing all the work through, and keeping the dollar figures as low as possible. Undergraduate life, of course, carried on during this time, and so did the timehonoured tradition of undergraduate pranks. Raids by one chapter on another were common. The men of Theta Zeta staged one memorable raid which — contrary to the usual inter-chapter raid — was undertaken for a pure-white purpose, and therefore was reported in The Beta Theta Pi. In early 1978, the Cornell chapter of Beta Theta Pi lost a plaque during a raid. — 92 —
University of Toronto Chapter
In due course, the Toronto Betas heard through the grapevine that the Cornell plaque was being proudly displayed in the house of a rival fraternity on the Toronto campus. The Theta Zetas crashed a party at the home of this other group (names are withheld for obvious reasons.), cased the house and found the plaque on display, as rumoured. After a quick sneak exit, they bore their trophy in triumph back to the Beta house. At the 139th General Convention in August 1978, the Toronto delegate had the pleasure of returning the Cornell plaque to that chapter’s representative. In April 1980, the National Interfraternity Conference held its annual convention in Toronto for the first time. Two leading Betas attended the NIC event: Colonel Richard “Misty” Shoop, Denison ’41, and Jonathan Brant, Miami ’75. When the Southern Ontario Area Alumni Association spring lunch was timed to coincide with the NIC convention, they attended that as well. Another event in 1980 was less propitious, and would be regarded by many brothers as a step backward rather than forward. A report sent by the chapter to The Beta Theta Pi spoke of “hell week” and pledge examinations in relation to the chapter’s initiation. These practices had dropped out of use in the 1970s and many Betas had been glad to see them go. Wherever the renewed hell week idea was born, it didn’t seem to be helpful. Once again, the membership numbers were slipping. By the fall of 1981, there were only eight brothers living in the house. Spirit, enthusiasm and responsibility were all declining as well. This time, the critical intervention that boosted the chapter back up came from outside — in fact, from the calendar. The key date was, of course, November 9, 1981 — the 75th anniversary of the Theta Zeta Chapter, and therefore also the 75th anniversary of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. This noteworthy milestone was celebrated by hundreds of brothers from all the chapters in Canada, and from American chapters as well. The keynote speaker of the anniversary banquet was John Turner, British Columbia ’49. His speech gave an overview and summary of the history of all three chapters. The evening also featured presentations, songs, speeches, songs, a great dinner, songs, and (surprise!) even more songs. Five hundred Betas raised the dignified roof of the Royal York Hotel and marched their way onto the cover of The Beta Theta Pi with a marching line performed, in traditional Toronto fashion, while singing Ti-de-I-de-O. The marching line was led by Owen S. Williams, Toronto ’50, and Brother Turner. — 93 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
The cover of the spring 1982 issue of The Beta Theta Pi featured the Toronto 75th anniversary.
The Theta Zeta undergraduate chapter at the 75th anniversary banquet
The Marching Line at the 75th anniversary banquet was led by Owen Williams and John Turner.
This grand event was attended by all members of the current Toronto active chapter, and it gave the brotherhood a real boost at a critical moment. Suddenly, the men of the Theta Zeta Chapter saw themselves as they really were: part of an organization with a long and distinguished past, a present much broader than just the day-to-day life of their own chapter, and — most important of all — a bright future, if they had the will to seize it for themselves.
They did. The chapter had started the year in September 1981 with only 10 active members on the roll. By the spring of 1983, this number had grown to 25, and all executive positions were filled for the first time in several years. From this point on, the chapter gradually increased in its strength and size, and in the quality of the men initiated. It was a startling change from the diminished chapter of the early 1970s. At that time, many wondered if Beta’s senior Canadian chapter even had a future to anticipate. By 1983, these questions were rarely raised. It had become obvious for all to see that Toronto was on a roll again. — 94 —
University of Toronto Chapter
The miracle had happened. The Theta Zeta Chapter had picked itself up off the ground and was moving forward. The effort involved had been considerable, but the results were worth it. If the chapter was not yet soaring far and free, the men definitely had the chapter — and themselves — back in the air again.
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Growing Strong Again Taking off from the launching pad of the 75th anniversary, the
University of Toronto chapter continued to move from strength to strength. During the 1980s and into the 1990s, the chapter attained sizes that had not been seen since the 1950s. It was not only a large chapter, but a strong one in other ways too. For a long time, it had been tough to speak proudly of being a Toronto Beta. Now, pride came easily to the brothers of Theta Zeta, and rightly so. One definite sign of this was the comments from other chapters. As Betas, we are sometimes a little too forgiving about the weaknesses of brothers in our own chapter, and perhaps a bit too harsh on those of other chapters. It’s significant that, during the 1990s, brothers from such diverse chapters as Bishop’s, Carleton and Cornell spoke of the friendliness and helpfulness of the men from Theta Zeta.
The players after a “Mud Bowl” game in the spring of 1993
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The chapter also developed some interesting new traditions. Ever since the 1970s (and maybe even longer), a pledge versus active touch football game had been a tradition. In 1982, the game was played on the university’s “back campus” under unusually wet and muddy conditions, and thereupon christened the Mud Bowl! It’s a pretty safe bet that the NFL will never try to pre-empt that nickname!
Sons of the Northern Stars
At the same time, there was a sense that a new motto for the chapter might have been a good thing — perhaps something along the lines of “A chapter’s renovations are never done.” When reading the reports from The Beta Theta Pi in those years, it seems one is always reading that the chapter is either renovating, finishing renovations, or just about to start renovations. One of the big projects of the mid-1980s was the reconstruction around the outside of the house. The steps and walk leading to the front door were completely rebuilt and the driveway was repaved. At the same time, the pigeon messes on the ground all around the house were cleared away and the numerous gables and eaves were finally — definitively — pigeon-proofed with fully enclosed soffits. Former residents of the house, returning to visit, were impressed that they no longer had to walk up to the front door with one eye on cracked slabs in the sidewalk and the other peeled for marauding birds! The size of the chapter was steadily growing, and with it grew the ability to take on more and bigger philanthropic projects. During the 1980s, Theta Zeta gained a solid reputation for its many activities in this field. When war broke out in Mozambique, the Toronto chapter took on a major fundraising project in conjunction with OXFAM Canada for war relief. The fundraisers took place over a period of several years, and collectively netted many thousands of dollars. The brothers received great thanks from OXFAM for the organization and energy which they brought to this large-scale ongoing project. The chapter’s great energy and drive was put to use within Beta Theta Pi as well, beginning in 1984. Toronto was selected as the sponsoring chapter for the new University of Guelph colony, which formed that year. Toronto’s men proved to be enthusiastic teachers and guides of the fledgling Betas down the road in Guelph. One brother, Paul Surtel, Toronto ’85, made weekly trips to Guelph to conduct pledge lore, history and song training. In 1985, the brothers of Theta Zeta set what might well be a record in Beta Theta Pi. They conducted four pledge classes and four initiations in a three-month period from mid-January to mid-April. The record was made up of two pledge classes of the Toronto chapter, and two of the Guelph colony. In 1986, the men were pleased to help celebrate a major anniversary for their sister chapter on the west coast. This was the year that Gamma Omicron at the University of British Columbia reached its 50th anniversary. Because of the number of British Columbia Beta brothers living and working in or near Toronto, an anniversary dinner was held at the Royal York Hotel by the Southern Ontario Area Alumni Association. — 98 —
University of Toronto Chapter
As the highlight of this dinner, John Turner, British Columbia ’49, was presented with the Oxford Cup by General Fraternity President John J. Rhodes, Kansas State ’37. Brother Turner was the first Canadian to be awarded the prestigious Oxford Cup, and many of the undergraduates turned out to see him honoured. Also, they were celebrating Gamma Omicron’s milestone of 50 years as part of Beta’s Broad Domain. A group photograph taken at this event shows undergraduate brothers from the Toronto and Western Ontario chapters, as well as the Guelph colony and the McGill provisional colony, together with several advisors.
A large delegation of undergraduates and advisors from four chapters and colonies at the Toronto banquet honouring John Turner and Gamma Omicron. At the extreme left is District Chief Rob McConnell, Toronto ’79.
Also in 1986, the Guelph chapter was officially chartered as the first new Canadian chapter in 34 years. Brothers from Toronto shared the excitement, both at the convention chartering vote and at the Installation Banquet held in Guelph on November 1, 1986. That weekend also marked a return visit by the Board of Trustees, which held its regular quarterly meeting in Toronto.
The spring 1986 cover of The Beta Theta Pi shows the presentation of the Fraternity’s Oxford Cup to John N. Turner by John J. Rhodes.
At this meeting, the Board officially selected the luxurious Inn on the Park as the site for the 1988 General Convention. Predictably, the Theta Zeta Corporation went straight out to borrow some money for — as anyone — 99 —
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might guess — more renovations. This time, the focus of the work would be on the interior of the house, making it a congenial environment for the hundreds of guests who were expected to pass through its doors during the convention week. The active chapter continued to improve through all of these events. The great sign of this improvement came in 1987 when Toronto, long considered a “weak sister” among the Canadian chapters, won the Sisson Award for the first time. As one alumnus stated: I’d approved when Beta Theta Pi set up the Sisson Award, but I didn’t think Toronto would ever win it — at least not for a very long time. It makes me very proud to think that my chapter has proved me wrong.
Winning the Sisson Award was public affirmation that Toronto had returned to its former status as a strong and great chapter of the Fraternity. As the summer of 1988 rolled around, the Toronto chapter was ready to put its best foot forward, welcoming guests from all over North America. The renovation work was done on time and on budget. The “Beta Castle” on Lowther Avenue had never looked better. One popular change was the conversion of the ground floor sunroom into a billiard room. This remained a favourite feature of the house for many years, even if the unusual kitty-corner placement of the table had an odd effect on some of the shots! One interesting by-product of this round of renovation work still raises chuckles. The fine condition of the house led to a request from a filmmaker to use the Beta house for some interior shooting. The brothers accordingly vacated the house for a few days, and the busy film crew converted the interior into a faithful replica of a turn-of-the-century brothel. Fortunately, the fee that they paid amply compensated for any damage they caused to the house’s interior, or to its moral reputation. The actual week of the Toronto convention in 1988 was an unforgettable time for all Beta brothers who attended — and there were almost two hundred brothers from Canada who signed the official convention roll book, a record unequalled to that date. During that convention week, the Toronto house was the scene of several affairs targeted at visiting undergraduates in particular. The real climax was a huge party at the house on the night the convention ended. The men — 100 —
University of Toronto Chapter
of the chapter were truly delighted to host so many visiting Betas from all corners of North America. The same was true of the alumni. The week was marked by a series of parallel events and entertainments, set up by the alumni for the more senior guests at the convention. These included dinner parties, a cruise of Toronto harbour, a garden party, and even balloon rides from the lawn of the hotel. Another feature was the week-long operation of a hospitality suite at the hotel for all to visit. The Toronto convention was a major inspiration to the brothers of the chapter to continue putting forth their best efforts in all areas. This was especially true of the Model Initiation, performed by a ritual team with representatives from all the Eastern Canadian chapters and colonies. The accolades the men received for their thorough performance of the ritual gave them added incentive to carry the same thoroughness into all their chapter affairs. The only unfortunate incident in an otherwise great event happened when a few Betas from several chapters — including one from Toronto — were involved in the use of illegal drugs at the hotel property. When a similar incident occurred in the chapter house itself the following winter, the chapter dealt with it in a very forthright manner. The chapter’s code of conduct was invoked, the problem dealt with quickly, and the chapter earned kudos from the district chief for dealing with a potentially messy situation in a mature and responsible manner.
The chapter room set up for a Founders’ Day dinner
By the early months of 1990, the chapter had increased to no less than 55 men, a number which had not been seen for more than three decades. This was the same year that the chapter revived the old tradition of the “Dorg” (annual dinner). Actually, the Dorg was another one of those old traditions that kept popping up at regular intervals, since it had also been revived in the 1970s and 1980s, only to disappear again. This time, with strong alumni support, there was every reason — 101 —
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to hope that this revival would be more or less permanent. Another, and newer, tradition had been established by this time; the annual Founders’ Day Dinner, held at the chapter house on the Thursday closest to November 9, the anniversary of the chapter’s chartering. This event has continued to the present, and always features a top-notch dinner prepared and served by alumni, active brothers and pledges. In 1989-90, Theta Zeta participated in a highly positive “first.” Concerns over the safety of the campus during evening and night hours, especially for women, led to the formation of the “Safety Walk Home Escort Program,” and the Beta brothers soon involved themselves in a highly visible way. This initiative actually drew some positive comments from the university student newspaper,The Varsity, a traditional foe of the fraternities and all that they stood for. As Theta Zeta sailed into the 1990s, the chapter kept growing in strength each year. It’s too bad the same could not be said of the house. Plainly, the building was old and getting older. The cosmetic-type renovations done until then could conceal the age of the structure, but not indefinitely. When a house party was held, revellers in the basement could see the ceiling above their heads “wow” in an ominous manner under the feet of dozens of dancers on the main floor. Plainly, the house was in need of major structural work. Equally plainly, that work could be put off no longer. It was also quite clear that the Corporation did not have the financial resources to carry through a major job on this scale. The solution which Corporation President Owen Williams, Toronto ’50, came up with was so typical of him that everyone said it was the sort of deal that only Owen could have pulled off. First of all, he arranged for the house to be declared a public rooming house. He then convinced the Ontario government to advance a forgivable loan (or perhaps it was a grant, sources differ on this point) of $115,000 to finance needed structural repairs! The main job, which lasted for several months, involved the removal and replacement — one by one — of all the supporting beams of the main floor. Some of the upper floor areas were also rearranged to provide more useful living spaces. A new roof (long overdue) was put on the garage and the house’s electrical system was extensively rewired. Best of all, a new archives room was built to shelter the chapter’s growing collection of historical documents and artifacts. In 1993, the chapter’s membership was still solid at 50 men, and an item in The Beta Theta Pi made a very interesting point. The percentage of students joining — 102 —
University of Toronto Chapter
the Greek system at Toronto was smaller than in the past, yet the Theta Zeta Chapter (with its new reputation for excellence) was as big as it had ever been. Plainly, there was a lot to be said for running a tightly-focused, high-quality chapter. Plainly, too, the Toronto chapter of the 1990s was as good as it had ever been at any time in its long and distinguished history, in size as well as quality. Much of the credit for this properly goes to the leaders and members of the chapter. However, the influence of a first-rate team of alumni advisors was unmistakable as well. The team approach had worked well in the past, too, when the young and enthusiastic Owen Williams had been partnered with the mature and experienced Bev Hannah. Now, it was the same Owen Williams who was the mature and experienced member of the partnership, serving as president of the Theta Zeta Corporation. The young enthusiasm in the 1980s and 1990s came from Scott Falconer, Western Ontario ’82, in the role of chapter counsellor. By the time Scott Falconer had served in this role for 10 years, the qualities of leadership and guidance which he offered to Toronto were evident to all. This was recognized when, in 1994, the General Fraternity bestowed on Falconer the coveted Alumnus Advisor of the Year Award. In all of Beta’s Broad Domain, only one man is so honoured each year. This award spoke volumes for Scott Falconer’s significant and tireless contribution to Theta Zeta. It also served as a strong reminder that one’s services to Beta Theta Pi need never be confined only to the chapter which you attended as an undergraduate. If more Betas were to contribute in varied ways to chapters other than their own, the result would be a stronger and better Fraternity for all.
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Centennial The remainder of the 1990s and the early years of the new millennium were
similarly successful for the Toronto chapter. While the size of the brotherhood fluctuated from time to time, the twin strengths of alumni support and a quality house never wavered.
The economic recession of the early 90s continued to play havoc with recruitment, even after a measure of recovery took place. Many students simply didn’t have the money required to join, and many of those who did were concerned above all with getting top grades to ensure top job prospects upon graduation. In this environment, it was perhaps inevitable that the problem of unpaid dues would begin to grow in Toronto, as in so many other chapters. In 1998, a laconic report to the General Fraternity described the success of “Operation Running Weasel,” undertaken to collect thousands of dollars in old debt, and (not incidentally) to encourage current active brothers to keep their accounts current with the chapter. A new and stronger emphasis on academics also grew in the chapter at this time. Special study hours were set aside, and no other activities were allowed during these times. Pledges were required to participate in study hours, as were all active members present. There was also a new examination of the way pledges were being trained into their future involvement in the Fraternity. A report to the Administrative Office stated: “…a pledge usually regards the way he was taught as tradition, and the way you were taught is not always the correct way.” One of the triggers of this difficulty was a situation in which the pledge educator did not follow the directions of the executive in performing his duties.
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Sons of the Northern Stars
The Toronto chapter celebrated its 90th anniversary in 1996 with yet another banquet at the Royal York Hotel. This anniversary was marked with a different souvenir item from those used in the past: a special-edition 90th anniversary coffee mug. The chapter scored some other signal successes during these years. In 1996, the General Convention, moving with the times, created the Chapter Website Excellence Award, and in 1997, the Toronto chapter promptly became the first winner. The creation of the award, and the chapter’s successful capture, both owed much to the foresighted actions of Adam Carson, Toronto ’97. And that was not all. Carson also played a significant and central role in developing the first website for the Beta Theta Pi General Fraternity. At the time, the Internet (or World Wide Web as it was often called then) had not even appeared above the horizon for many people in North America. By the time this book reaches publication, the Internet is of course so well known that life without it seems an utter impossibility, but this was definitely not yet the case in the late 1990s. A 1997 food drive brought in 254 pounds of food for the food bank, in an area which the food bank said was not known for its generosity to the cause in the past. A popular chapter philanthropic event was the annual Halloween haunted house for children young and not-so-young in the neighbourhood. In the spring of 1998, the chapter hosted more than 60 women at a Beta Sweetheart party, and some 80 brothers attended the Spring Dorg. The Toronto chapter was featured on the cover of the winter 1998 issue of The Beta Theta Pi for its successful philanthropic contributions to Operation Outreach. Chapter singing took a terrific boost with the arrival in Toronto of a Western Ontario brother who was a skilled musician and singer. David Free, Toronto ’98, who quickly acquired the appropriate nickname “Keener,” promptly took the chapter’s singing in hand, and in 1998, the chapter applied for and won the Whitman Choral Cup, the cherished award given each year to the best singing chapter in the Fraternity (as judged from a recorded performance). In addition, Free also entered and won the competition for the Best New Beta Song Award that year. The contest judges heard the recordings of the various song entries without knowing who was responsible for each one, and as a result, chose two of Free’s entries as winner and runner-up respectively! Owen Williams continued to be the cornerstone, both figuratively and literally, of the chapter’s success. His constant presence stimulated the brothers to renewed efforts in protecting and improving the beautiful home which they — 106 —
University of Toronto Chapter
shared, as well as the fraternal heritage they treasured. His care and concern for Beta Theta Pi did not stop there. For several years, Owen served as a trustee of the Beta Theta Pi Foundation, the international fundraising arm of the Fraternity. It was during this time that he was featured on a back cover of The Beta Theta Pi in a feature called A Lasting Moment, in which prominent Betas were invited to describe their reasons for contributing to the Foundation. The photograph showed Owen inside the Soldiers’ Memorial Tower of Hart House on the university campus; this memorial was another cause to which he devoted his efforts for many years. A significant part of the chapter’s heritage was recovered when Owen spearheaded the move to place a memorial plaque on the main staircase bearing the names of the five brothers who died in active service during World War II. Harlan David Keely James Frederick Hall Charles Sumner Hertzberg Henry George Northway
Back cover of The Beta Theta Pi featuring Owen Williams
Ronald Franklin Sedgwick
Although this was a shorter list than that from the first Great War, the resulting plaque is no less dignified, and indeed directly echoes the design of the first. The two plaques now hang, one above the other, on the main landing, spotlighted dramatically in a way that attracts the eye of every visitor who enters the house. The names appear out of order because the identity of a fifth Beta who was lost in active service (Brother Keely) was discovered only after the plaque had been completed. Nearby hangs another gift from Brother Williams to his beloved The World War II memorial plaque
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Sons of the Northern Stars
Toronto chapter. It’s a simple block of stone, bearing the outline of an eight-sided Grecian shield. The plaque above it shows that it was taken from a window frame of “Old Main” in Oxford, the founding site of the Fraternity, when that historic building was demolished in 1959. It’s believed that the design on the window frame stones provided inspiration for the choice of shape of the Fraternity’s badge. As the time for the 100th anniversary drew nearer, more attention was paid to the lore and history of Theta Zeta. One of the many Lintel Stone from Old Main, displayed in the hall actions taken to prepare for this significant of the Toronto chapter house celebration was the updating of the chapter’s archives. Continuing a process that had been underway for some time, many important documents and photos from the chapter’s early years were preserved and framed for display in the chapter hall. Among them were such significant mementoes as a list of donors to the Toronto Chapter Fund, and the roll of honour made at the time of the Fund naming all the brothers who were on active service. A complete digital archive of chapter historic documents was also created. As time went by, Owen Williams relied more and more on the judgment and activity of Adam Carson as his assistant in supervising the operation of the house and the Corporation. When the time finally came for Williams to lay aside his decades-long office, Carson was trained and ready to step into the position. He has become as much a cornerstone of the chapter in the years since as Owen was famed for being. In the years to come, Adam Carson would be responsible for a couple of great deals that followed the Williams tradition in preserving and upgrading the Toronto chapter house. From 2002 to 2006, Adam served as chief of District III. During this time, he continued his work of assisting with the Toronto house corporation. In 2010, a film crew took over the house again for a feature film, and of course the producers paid for the house to be restored to usable condition afterward. Adam requested multiple coats of the highest-quality (and highestpriced) paint available. This deluxe paint was to be used throughout the public spaces of the main floor. The producers paid the bill without a question.
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University of Toronto Chapter
At about the same time, a city councillor with a flair for publicity undertook a campaign to try to have all the fraternity houses declared public rooming houses. This would have meant that the city would be able to control and licence these facilities. It was plainly the hope of the councillor that he could then make use of any complaint as a pretext to shut the fraternity houses down. Adam Carson had to fight this attempt repeatedly. Finally, in 2011, a city staff member produced papers which clearly documented a prior agreement by the city that fraternity houses were not public rooming houses, and were therefore not subject to city licensing and control. But these events still lay in the future during the memorable year of 2006. In this year, the Theta Zeta Chapter at Toronto marked its 100th anniversary. The same year also, of course, marked the 100th anniversary of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. It was a date with history that many brothers anticipated eagerly and the resulting events did not disappoint.
Two views of the Toronto chapter house in 2012
In late June, the 167th General Convention was held in Toronto (the second convention to be held in the city), at the Marriott Eaton Centre. The convention was preceded by a special evening banquet celebrating the 100th anniversary of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. This event attracted hundreds of brothers, and every one of Beta’s seven Canadian chapters was represented. The keynote speaker was John N. Turner, British Columbia ’49. The highlight of the evening was the wellmerited presentation of the Francis W. Shepardson Award to Owen Williams. This award was created in 2001 to recognize brothers who embody the spirit and dedication of Brother Shepardson and epitomize the concept of lifelong — 109 —
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service to the Fraternity. The Shepardson Award Cup was presented to Owen by P. Thomas Purinton, Kansas State ’63, President of the General Fraternity. Brother Williams was the first Canadian brother to be so honoured, and remains to date the only one. Quite a few of the many assembled Betas remained for the convention that followed over the next four days. In the fall, the Founders’ Day dinner was held at the Royal York Hotel, where so many Beta Theta Pi celebrations had been held through the years. In fact, ever since this dignified and luxurious hotel opened in 1931, it had undoubtedly hosted more Beta events than all the other major hotels of the city put together. After having the misfortune to miss the anniversary event in June, the author was privileged to be the keynote speaker of this memorable banquet. All these anniversary events led to a tremendous amount of reminiscing, with the opening words “Remember when...?” launching many of the conversations. Owen Williams was sadly absent from this festive evening, already hospitalized in his final illness. The patriarch of the Theta Zeta of Beta Theta Pi died on June 20, 2007, and the Toronto chapter again marked with sadness the passing of a most stalwart brother. Owen’s work as chapter counsellor, district chief and house corporation president stretched over an unbroken span of more than 50 years, from shortly after his graduation in 1950 up to his death. Hundreds of Toronto brothers had never known a Theta Zeta Chapter without Owen Williams. And if his work in Toronto was not enough (as can be seen throughout the pages of this book), Williams did so much more to provide aid and mutual assistance to Beta brothers throughout Ontario and Quebec. A memorial celebration was held a month later in the dignified Gothic environment of the University’s Great Hall at Hart House. The text of the invitation as sent out by Adam Carson is worth quoting: As with all things with Owen, he had a plan and made preparations to ensure things came out the way he wanted. In the past months he had taken it upon himself to plan a detailed and impressive event for all of his friends to come together and celebrate love, life and good friendship. He outlined this event in great detail, going so far as to pick the food, drink and music that we all would enjoy that afternoon. It will be an affair not to be missed filled with fond memories to relive, and stories of Owen to be passed from one friend to another.
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University of Toronto Chapter
After the formal gathering, many of the brothers of Theta Zeta adjourned to a more informal wake in the chapter house and there they swapped Owen stories (and there were many indeed) until the early hours of the following morning. Brother Williams would definitely have appreciated that late evening gathering more than any number of official tributes! As for the Toronto chapter itself, its history, more than a century long, clearly proves one thing: there is no situation so black that it cannot be overcome by fraternal mutual efforts. More than once in its history, the Toronto chapter has hung on the ropes, and each time the chapter has been able to bounce back, stronger than ever, with the help of brothers dear, and so “carry on.”
The Great Hall of Hart House. Owen Williams served for many years as a volunteer member of the House Committee of Hart House. This made the choice of the Great Hall as the scene of his memorial gathering doubly appropriate.
Surely that’s the best possible way to honour the efforts of all the Theta Zeta brothers, and the memory of brothers such as Mike Malone, Bev Hannah and Owen Williams.
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PART III University of British Columbia Chapter The Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi
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Sigma Alpha Phi After the chartering of Theta Zeta Chapter at Toronto in 1906, Beta
Theta Pi pursued no further plans for expansion in Canada. A few possibilities were actually discussed in reports made to the General Convention in the 1920s, but no definite actions were taken. If any Beta brother had been asked at that time for a prediction about Beta’s next route of Canadian expansion, he might well have replied that it was doubtful there would be any more chapters set up in Canada. However, if pressed for a prediction, he would probably name one of the schools close to the University of Toronto — perhaps McGill, a name which was suggested on more than one occasion. It’s most unlikely that our mythical brother would give any thought at all to the University of British Columbia. In part, this would be a product of the normal outlook of easterners in both Canada and the United States at that time. The eastern majorities in both countries were apt to regard their respective west coasts as wild and uncultivated territory. Undoubtedly, many men in both countries would be quite surprised to learn that such things as universities existed at all in these backwater regions! Indeed, as we will see, at least one leading Beta held that view. If our mythical brother had been told, with the aid of a crystal ball, that the next Beta chapter in Canada would be located at the University of British Columbia, he might well have laughed outright. Yet, this was precisely what was about to happen. The unusual events which brought British Columbia into Beta’s Broad Domain were a combination of the hard work of a group of young men and one very special older gentleman.
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Like the senior Canadian chapter at Toronto, the Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi sprang from a local fraternity. But there was an important difference. Sigma Alpha Phi at the University of British Columbia had an independent existence of some four or five years standing before definitely deciding to pursue affiliation with an international fraternity. The subsequent battle for acceptance into Beta Theta Pi took another six years! This gave Sigma Alpha Phi an independent history for a whole decade, far longer than the brief year-and-a-half lifespan of the Theta Zeta Society in Toronto. The longer history as an independent body also provided the newly-chartered Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi with a dozen years’ worth of dedicated alumni to support its first steps in Beta. What the Sigma Alpha Phi fraternity did have in common with quite a few Beta chapters was the scope of its membership. It was drawn primarily (and originally exclusively) from the players on one university intramural sports team. The idea for this fraternity originated with two men on the University of British Columbia’s Canadian rugby football team. In the fall of 1925, Maxwell Cameron ’38 and Wilmer Haggerty ’38 began talking about cementing their friendships with their teammates by creating a fraternity. When they established their brotherhood, they chose a name and motto that tell us a great deal about their priorities and principles. The motto and name were created as the motto and name of Beta Theta Pi were in the beginning: a choice of three Greek words denoting the chosen characteristics of their brotherhood, and the use of the initial letters of those words as the name. The motto was: Strength, Fidelity, Friendship. These were ideals obviously influenced by the men’s athletic background. Team effort generates more strength than individual effort. Fidelity and friendship are necessary prerequisites for successful team effort. The parallels to Beta Theta Pi’s ideals are also obvious. At this time, fraternities were still a new idea on the UBC campus. The first such society had been established only four years earlier. In this situation, one might think that this new body would have had a bit of a battle on its hands to obtain official recognition from the University. Not so. Max Cameron and Bill Haggerty approached the official bodies of the University to be granted recognition in the spring of 1926. On April 9, the Sigma Alpha Phi fraternity was given official approval by the University of British Columbia. Compared to — 116 —
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the titanic struggle for Beta chapter status (which had already begun), dealing with the University seems to have been a piece of cake! It’s not clear whether the idea of Beta Theta Pi affiliation was in the minds of all the men of Sigma Alpha Phi from the start. The chapter’s records show that it would be several years before a definite decision was made to seek affiliation with an international fraternity. On the other hand, somebody was certainly looking at the idea as early as when the fraternity was founded — and this is definitely the right place to introduce him.
Dr. Gordon Burke
The man who would become known as “the Pater of Gamma Omicron” deservedly commanded just as much respect at UBC as Bev Hannah had won at Toronto. Dr. Gordon Burke, Washington 1909, has to be remembered, on any count, as one of the most fiercely loyal and devoted Beta brothers of all time. He was determined that Beta Theta Pi would place a chapter at the University of British Columbia. As soon as Sigma Alpha Phi was founded, he was equally determined that this local fraternity would form the nucleus of the Beta chapter-in-the-making.
The leaders of Beta Theta Pi tried hard to discourage Gordon Burke and his band of men from their ambition. They might just as well have tried to sweep back the tide! In 1926, Burke had already begun active correspondence with the undergraduates of Beta Omega Chapter at the University of Washington, his home chapter. That chapter expressed cautious approval of the idea, but stressed in its reply that it would not undertake to “sell” Beta Theta Pi to the men of Sigma Alpha Phi. It would have to be up to the British Columbia local group to make the first approach. With an assurance of at least some interest from the Washington chapter, which would have to play a key role in the campaign for chartering, Burke next approached General Secretary George Howard Bruce, Centre 1899. Bruce’s initial reply was that there was little likelihood of Beta Theta Pi expanding in Canada at that time.
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Burke’s response to Bruce’s letter tried to stir up the powers that be a little bit by mentioning that, although the local membership was predominantly interested in Beta Theta Pi, there was a minority opinion that favoured negotiating with Sigma Chi instead. Brother Bruce’s reply looks astonishing when viewed through present-day eyes: Bruce actually encouraged the men of Sigma Alpha Phi to petition Sigma Chi for a charter! His excuse was that many Beta chapters were not in favour of more expansion into Canada. This was no doubt true. All the same, it sounds very strange for the chief executive officer of the Fraternity to clearly urge a top quality potential new chapter into the arms of the competition. Gordon Burke’s next letter, dated February 22, 1926, acknowledges the present state of affairs, but also contains an important philosophy: I am not surprised to learn of the conservative attitude which has grown up regarding further expansion. I trust that the attitude toward expansion in Canada is not too deeply rooted, nor wide in its distribution. It is probably difficult for many living away from the “border” to realize how slight an obstruction but how much of a barrier it is. The lower and the narrower we can make this invisible line, and the more turnstiles we can build into it, the better for both countries.
Burke’s outlook, however, swayed no one in the higher councils of the Fraternity. As far as Beta Theta Pi was concerned, the whole business of Sigma Alpha Phi was a dead issue. And that, for the moment, was that. Meanwhile the men of Sigma Alpha Phi were actively engaged in the building up of their own fraternal brotherhood. A detailed constitution and code of laws were adopted. Fraternal rituals were created. Most significant of all, the chapter, in its goals and operations, placed great emphasis on scholarship. There is today an unfair stereotype picturing all college athletes as what might be impolitely termed “dumb jocks.” In the 1920s, this stereotype had not yet appeared. In fact, most of the universities in existence then emphasized high scholarship more than they do today. The same was true of most auxiliary campus organizations, from football teams to political clubs — including fraternities and sororities. Today, that attitude seems to survive only in a few intensely competitive professional faculties, and in a small but select group of high-prestige schools. Elsewhere, the social aspect of student life seems at least as important. At any — 118 —
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rate, the men of Sigma Alpha Phi saw nothing odd about combining high achievement in sport with high achievement in the classroom. Their records show that it was a combination they achieved with great success. Another high priority of the chapter during the late 1920s was the establishment of a housing fund. The objective was to purchase a permanent chapter house, and this was accomplished in a few years. By 1930, Sigma Alpha Phi was a permanent and well-regarded fixture on the British Columbia campus. The chapter had a solid bank balance, a growing membership, excellent academic results, and strong alumni support. Its men showed real class in the conduct of their affairs, and in their positions within the university community. A permanent chapter house placed the seal of excellence on this local fraternity. With all of these successes, though, the goal of affiliation — hopefully with Beta Theta Pi — was never forgotten. In fact, it could truly be said that all of the hard work by the members of Sigma Alpha Phi was not devoted to the excellence of their fraternal band in and of itself, but instead was meant to show Beta Theta Pi what a good thing it was missing. The phase of initial growth of Sigma Alpha Phi came to an end during a chapter meeting in 1930. On that night, the men of this local fraternity voted to seek affiliation with a larger international fraternity. The possibility was, as we know, considered much earlier, but in 1930, it became a matter of both policy and record. The next six years were to be devoted, with much stress and strain, to achieving this new goal.
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The Struggle for Betahood Gordon Burke wasn’t necessarily a man ahead of his time, but in his day,
there was no word to satisfactorily describe what he did for Beta. Today, such a word exists. Gordon Burke was a master of what is commonly known today as “networking.” His Beta contacts throughout North America were legendary. He was one of the best-known Betas of his time, even to brothers who had never met him face-to-face. He was a master of the art of communicating by letter. All of his networking skills were employed in the struggle to achieve Beta chapter status for Sigma Alpha Phi.
Even before the Sigma Alpha Phi fraternity formally showed its hand by stating its intention to petition Beta, Burke was already writing letters to friends all over the country, propagating the idea of Beta Theta Pi at the University of British Columbia. This might perhaps be called the informal campaign. The formal campaign for Beta at UBC began in 1929 with a document from Toronto which might best be regarded as a preliminary “test shot.” Thomas Beament, Toronto ’24, of the Toronto alumni chapter (as it was then called), sent a report to President Francis Shepardson, Denison 1882, Brown 1883, about the prospects for expansion in Canada. This report suggested that the time for expansion at McGill University had passed, due to the proliferation of major fraternities on that campus. However, the report then went on to reopen the possibility of a chapter at British Columbia. The text of a joint resolution, adopted by both the undergraduate and alumni chapters at Toronto, followed:
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A resolution was passed unanimously approving the principle that a Chapter of Beta Theta Pi be established at the University of British Columbia as soon as a proper opportunity should present itself.
The report went on to state that several other international fraternities were already established on the British Columbia campus, or planning to move in. Toronto was trying hard to spur the Fraternity to quick action, lest another golden opportunity be lost (as at McGill). How golden was it? The Toronto report affirmed that, in a few years, the University of British Columbia was expected to rank as an institution second to none in Canada. Meanwhile, the undergraduates of Sigma Alpha Phi hadn’t formally selected a fraternity as the target of their affiliation bid. Sentiment was strong for Beta Theta Pi, but by no means universal. To clear the air, the men appointed a committee to visit Seattle and survey several fraternities at the University of Washington. The committee of three was instructed to visit and make an assessment of Beta Theta Pi, Delta Kappa Epsilon and Sigma Chi. In one of those odd situations that can happen from time to time, the three members of the committee came back to Vancouver with three different recommendations! Bill Haggerty remembered later that no one in the chapter questioned the merit or excellence of any of the three international organizations studied. This tends to suggest that the differences among them were small in the minds of most of the undergraduates, and perhaps even in the minds of the committee members. Haggerty, for instance, recommended Beta Theta Pi largely on the basis of the Gordon Burke connection. At any rate, there followed a short period of intense lobbying among the brothers. During that same time, all three fraternities from the University of Washington paid visits to the UBC campus in Vancouver. After a few weeks, the members held a meeting to vote on their course of action. The vote was unanimous to seek affiliation with Beta Theta Pi. In the spring of 1930, the Sigma Alpha Phi fraternity presented a formal petition for a charter from Beta Theta Pi. This was rejected. The reaction in Vancouver to this refusal says much about the character of the men in Sigma Alpha Phi. Another group might well have said, “Forget Beta! We can go it alone!” Not so the men at British Columbia. With true bulldog — 122 —
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persistence (remember, there were a lot of rugby players in this fraternity!), they continued to pursue Beta. Indeed, there must have been times during the 1930s when the Beta trustees began to think of Sigma Alpha Phi as a bulldog snapping at their heels, barking, refusing to go away when told! Even with all that persistence, the battle was long. District Chief Ray Eckmann, Washington ’22, warned the chapter that it might take seven years to reverse the sentiment in Beta Theta Pi against expansion, and his estimate proved remarkably close to the time actually required for this change. During those years, the men were not idle. Haggerty campaigned tirelessly during his numerous business trips, visiting chapters all over the western United States, and also the sole Canadian chapter, Toronto. Robert Macaulay, Toronto ’23, then living and working in Vancouver, continued to work along with Gordon Burke on setting up a British Columbia alumni association. Burke himself continued his letter writing campaign all over the map. In 1933, Macaulay wrote a circular letter to all district chiefs and active chapter presidents, soliciting their support for a chapter at UBC. His detailed file of all the replies was organized into three categories: those not in favour, those who held no opinion one way or the other, and those who urged the men from British Columbia to go all the way, with full assurances of support for their petition. There was no doubting the sincerity of the replies, even the negative ones. There were signs, though, that one chapter was being a good deal less than open. One of the reply letters notified Macaulay of a pamphlet being circulated across the United States, by the Virginia chapter, outlining its opposition to any expansion at all, and especially its opposition to expansion in Canada. A copy of the pamphlet was enclosed along with the letter. No copy of the pamphlet was ever sent directly by the brothers in Virginia to anyone in British Columbia. Macaulay’s letter to the Virginia chapter responded, tactfully yet honestly, to the local organization, the size of the fraternity as a whole, and the lack of knowledge about the University of British Columbia. However, Macaulay was much less temperate in a letter he wrote a little later to Bertie Symmes, Toronto 1911. He spoke of the “bloody stupidity” of the pamphlet, and the conduct of Beta business through the medium of “grapevine comments” that were not substantiated, and could not be. This last referred to some comments allegedly made by President Shepardson. — 123 —
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It seemed that the Beta President was troubled by the whole question of whether the University of British Columbia was a university in the same sense as the schools in the east where Beta was located. Here again, lack of any real knowledge about the west on the part of easterners became an issue. The real sore point was that, as yet, no one had faced either the men of Sigma Alpha Phi or the British Columbia Beta alumni directly with these concerns. Instead, there were the pamphlets and grapevine comments. Macaulay was angry, and it’s hardly any wonder. In August of 1933, General Secretary Harold A. Bailey, Amherst 1908, sent a letter to the Sigma Alpha Phi chapter and the British Columbia alumni advising that there was no chance of expansion to the University of British Columbia at that time. Macaulay and Symmes seem to have regarded this letter as a deliberate affront, the final slap in the face after all their efforts. Indeed, Macaulay was so enraged that he withdrew altogether from the campaign to establish a chapter at UBC. Looking back on the events of 1933, the extent of behind-the-scenes rumourmongering seems just as unnerving today as it did to Macaulay at the time. It seems that some brothers may have forgotten some of the sworn obligations of the Fraternity. Honesty and openness took a back seat. This hardly seems an appropriate way for Beta Theta Pi to conduct its business. Macaulay may have stepped out of the picture, but the men of the undergraduate chapter kept working as hard as they could. So did Gordon Burke. Burke’s file of letters grew ever larger. And the constant pressure campaign was having its effect. The case for Beta Theta Pi expansion to the University of British Columbia was placed before the General Convention in 1934. The committee on charters heard representations on behalf of Sigma Alpha Phi. The committee report included a statement of general opposition to expansion, but then went on: However, a plea has been made to this committee for an expression of the sentiment of the fraternity, particularly with reference to the Sigma Alpha Pi (sic) society at the University of British Columbia, which is desirous of petitioning for a charter of Beta Theta Pi. In order that a definite expression of the fraternity may be obtained and transmitted to this group, we suggest that the Board of Trustees arrange for a thorough investigation of the University of British Columbia as a possible location for a chapter of Beta Theta Pi, and also of the qualifications of the Sigma Alpha Pi society. The
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report of this investigation shall be submitted to the 96th General Convention for consideration.
It may be a small point, but it still is of significance, that neither the committee nor (later on) Francis Shepardson had even taken the trouble to ensure they had the name of the petitioning local society correct. Since the local society had gone to the trouble of creating a motto of the same type as Beta Theta Pi, and a parallel set of three major principles, this slipshod handling might well have been regarded as an affront. If so, the men of Sigma Alpha Phi presumably saw fit to bite their tongues! Under the circumstances, this was probably the wisest thing to do. In response to this directive from the committee on charters, Shepardson approached Dr. Edwin C. Lesch, Illinois ’25, a professor on the English faculty at the University of Oregon. Shepardson’s letter to Lesch in May 1935 summed up the history of Beta Theta Pi’s relations with the Sigma Alpha Phi society to that point, including the definite rejections and the advice to seek an affiliation with another international partner, as well as the ongoing stubborn persistence of the Beta alumni in Vancouver. One senses a tone of exasperation in Shep’s words on that subject! District Chief Eckmann had reported favourably on both the University and the local fraternity, but his information came at a distance and through letters and various conversations. Shepardson asked Lesch to undertake a personal study of the chapter if at all possible. He listed some questions that the Trustees wanted answered: Is the University of British Columbia in any sense an American institution, after the style say of the University of Illinois? Are its various departments centralized upon a campus which has university spirit, customs, and traditions; or, are these buildings scattered about the city with no cohesion of departments except in the name of the degree-conferring body? Does the department of arts and sciences of the university, if such, have a distinct campus with campus life such as is necessary for the development of a strong fraternity chapter? What is the financial situation of the institution as to endowments, and particularly as to annual income, this question covering both the amount of income and its source? — 125 —
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To a man educated and trained in the United States, knowing fully the background of Beta Theta Pi, does the institution present a hopeful prospect for the building up of a successful chapter?
It’s interesting to note that Shepardson’s questions don’t touch on the petitioning local group at all. Evidently, he felt himself to be sufficiently well informed on that subject! On the other hand, it’s clear that those old doubts of his about the validity of this western university were still troubling him. Another angle on the issue is mentioned in Shepardson’s letter. The possibility of the local choosing an affiliation with Sigma Chi had cropped up again. Shep’s letter to Lesch refers to “negotiations in progress,” and states that these were initiated by Sigma Chi. He goes on to add, though, that the “younger members of the local, discouraged by the attitude of our Board of Trustees, have been interested in considering the possibility of a Sigma Chi chapter.” There’s a sign that Shepardson was slowly being won over to the idea of a new Beta chapter in Canada. He actually went to the trouble of contacting top officials in Sigma Chi, and obtained their assurances that Sigma Chi would take no action in the matter as long as Beta Theta Pi was still studying the BC local group. This was quite an attitude shift compared to the situation a few years earlier, when the Board of Trustees actually advised the men to go to Sigma Chi rather than Beta. In any event, Francis Shepardson himself visited Vancouver in August 1935, immediately before proceeding to Montebello, Quebec, for the 96th General Convention. His itinerary included a visit with local Beta alumni, a meeting with the men of the local society, an all-fraternity gathering, and an hour-long private meeting with the president of the University. As Gordon Burke wrote later: Before leaving Vancouver, Dr. Shepardson expressed himself as being frankly in favour of coming into Canada and the University of British Columbia, and the sooner the better.
With a strong endorsement from the man who had hitherto opposed any expansion moves into Canada, the 96th Convention of 1935 granted permission for Sigma Alpha Phi to petition for its charter the following year. In the early spring of 1936, Gordon Burke was once again at his typewriter churning out letters to Beta contacts all across the continent, soliciting — 126 —
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support. One of his letters, quite lengthy, was designed to go to undergraduate and alumni Beta chapters everywhere. Burke withdrew this letter for revision when it was pointed out to him that it laid too much stress on the desirability of Canadian expansion, a viewpoint certain to arouse hostility in certain quarters (such as Virginia). A later version of this long letter focused directly on the issue of Sigma Alpha Phi at UBC and this was sent. Replies brought endorsement from many quarters, and the men were able to approach the General Convention of 1936 in a spirit of confidence that their long-sought ambition was about to be realized. The delegation which carried the hopes of Sigma Alpha Phi to Biloxi, Mississippi consisted of Max Cameron, Bill Haggerty, Gordon Burke and Chapter President Gordy Morris. These men may soon have felt their enthusiasm to be over-optimistic. It became apparent that the forces of entrenchment were still prepared to fight the proposed charter, in spite of the endorsements of Shepardson and the Board of Trustees. The committee on charters recommended that the charter be granted. As none of the men of Sigma Alpha Phi had yet, or could yet, become Betas, the rules were suspended to allow the delegation the privilege of addressing the convention. After the delegates of Sigma Alpha Phi left the hall, a spirited discussion evidently followed. Virginia was still adamantly opposed to any expansion in Canada, and the Virginia delegate was strongly supported by Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence ’22. One of their major concerns was that Beta Theta Pi as a whole still lacked a clear overall policy and philosophy governing expansion. These men had a legitimate concern that the quality of the Fraternity should not be diluted by hasty or ill-advised expansion efforts. Eventually, a motion was made to call the question, and this carried. On the motion to grant the charter, the vote was 85 to 2, with only Virginia and Colgate dissenting. Once the result was announced, the delegates of these two chapters asked that their votes be changed to assent so that a unanimous result could be recorded, and this was done by consent of the convention. Needless to say, Cameron, Haggerty, Morris and Burke were ecstatic. As Gordon Burke would later describe it for The Beta Theta Pi:
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The wild weeks since the wonderful convention at Biloxi have been full of plotting and planning. When Herb Smith set the date for installation weeks ahead of our anticipations, we just went into a tail-spin. We have our own calendar. “B.C.” means “Before Convention.” “A.D.” means “after that.” “October 23rd” has supplanted all other dates in history.
The installation week events began on Wednesday, October 21, with the arrival of General Secretary G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27, and General Treasurer Frank G. Ensign, Beloit 1900, to administer an examination on fraternity lore and history. The results showed some “embarrassing moments,” as was admitted afterwards in The Beta Theta Pi, but were adequate for the occasion. On the Thursday night, there was a reception for Brothers Smith and Ensign at a golf club in Vancouver. It was attended by parents, friends, faculty, campus fraternity and sorority members, and local Betas. It was later described as a “delightfully informal affair.” On Friday afternoon, October 23, 1936, 52 members of Sigma Alpha Phi were initiated as brothers into Beta Theta Pi. Roll numbers were Frank G. Ensign and G. Herbert Smith in Vancouver, October 1936 reserved for eight others who would be initiated at Toronto and St. Lawrence, including the first founder, Max Cameron. Gordon Burke pinned the badges on Wilmer Haggerty, and on his own son Herbert Burke, British Columbia ’39. This was followed by the formal ceremony installing the erstwhile Sigma Alpha Phi fraternity as the University of British Columbia chapter, the Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi. The formal banquet that evening included Betas from British Columbia, Washington, Washington State, Oregon, Oregon State, Hanover, Nebraska, Wittenberg, Western Reserve and Toronto, among others. Gordon Burke was especially pleased that Bob Macaulay was present, the bitterness of the past troubles set aside in the midst of rejoicing — so much so that Macaulay himself proposed the toast to President Francis Shepardson, unavoidably absent. General Secretary Smith presented keynote remarks on the theme “Those who know the Stars do not fear the night.” — 128 —
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Some of the brothers of the new chapter with Burke, Ensign, and Smith
As is also customary, the banquet included a great many other toasts and speeches. Telegrams and letters of congratulations were read from individuals and groups of Betas all over the continent. Gordon Burke had done it again; he had sent personal invitations for the installation to every Beta known to him (and that number was not small — was the Vancouver Main Post Office temporarily snowed under with Beta mail?) Also honoured was the tradition begun 30 years earlier at the Toronto chapter installation: after toasts to the president and the king, the assembled Betas sang “My Country ’Tis of Thee,” “God Save the King” and the “Beta Doxology” (all, of course, to the same tune!). Gordon Burke’s article for The Beta Theta Pi closed with this paragraph: I cannot close these ramblings without telling of our farewell to Herb Smith, Frank Ensign, and Ben Grosscup. They were waiting at the bow of the Canadian Pacific “Princess Adelaide” for the lines to be cast off. Across the harbour the mountains rose in their somber majesty, barely outlined, a few dim stars pointing through the haze — black waters swirling about, and the hoarse notes of the fog horn coming in from the gulf. As the ship glided out we struck up “The Loving Cup” and our brothers joined us across the waters. I think we shall never forget that.
In this unforgettable manner, the second great chapter of Beta Theta Pi in Canada came into being. Separated by thousands of miles from her “national sister” in Toronto, Gamma Omicron enjoyed close ties with her “regional sisters” — 129 —
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in Washington and Oregon. It’s a pattern which has continued to the present day. The Betas of Gamma Omicron are justly proud of the status of our Great and Good Fraternity in Canada, yet the closest links for them have logically been to the south. This simply duplicates the pattern found in so much of British Columbia’s social and economic fabric. The final word on the Gamma Omicron installation can safely be left to founder Wilmer Haggerty, in a speech given at the 50th anniversary in 1986: I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of the new chapter, Gamma Omicron, pointing out that we felt we were making a very fine union but that we also offered something pretty fine to Beta Theta Pi, and I feel the same way today.
As the history of the Gamma Omicron Chapter unfolded, there would be few occasions when anyone could take issue with Haggerty’s sentiment expressed in this speech.
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Of Songfests and Conclaves Like many new chapters, Gamma Omicron “hit the ground running.” Unlike many new chapters, the pace did not slow. This could be attributed partly to its decade of existence as an independent local fraternity. It was also due, in part, to the quality of men in the chapter, which numbered 29 active brothers. Last and certainly not least was the continual care and guidance of Dr. Gordon Burke, now the chapter counsellor.
It’s a pity that, at this time, Beta Theta Pi didn’t have an Alumnus Advisor of the Year Award. If such an award had existed then, it’s a dead certainty that Gordon Burke would have been high on the list of potential recipients. The first newsletter sent by the new chapter to The Beta Theta Pi gives a capsule sketch of Greek life on the university campus. At the time of the Beta chartering, there were 10 fraternities on the UBC campus. Between them, these ten shared some 25% of the undergraduate male students. This percentage was higher than in most Canadian universities where fraternities existed. None of the British Columbia fraternities owned houses as yet, but a number had rented quarters and, like the Betas, were looking to the future. For some years prior to the chartering, each graduating member voluntarily took out a life insurance policy for $120, payable to the chapter, for the purposes of building up a house fund. This practice continued after chartering. There were also several Vancouver-area merchants (not named) who would pay a 10% commission to the housing fund on all purchases made by Betas. The terms sound favourable to say the least! The records do not state if these merchants were Betas themselves, although that seems possible.
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One of the great strengths of Gamma Omicron was the hard work of the Mothers’ Club, originally called the Ladies’ Auxiliary. This active group was already in existence at the time of chartering, and became increasingly important in the growth of a quality chapter through the years. In its first year as a Beta chapter, the auxiliary did a great deal of decorating in the rented house. The mothers also made a complete set of ritual robes for the chapter’s use, according to the General Fraternity’s specifications. The initiation of men unable to be present at the chartering continued. Several men, including Max Cameron (#1), were initiated in November 1936 at the Theta Zeta Chapter in Toronto. Others were initiated in the Abbot-Young Memorial Temple of Beta Zeta Chapter at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York. Some of these men had spaces reserved for them in the roll book, while others were simply added to the regular numerical sequence. Members of the Sigma Alpha Phi Society were given a two-year period of eligibility for Beta initiation. The chapter made its mark in many areas of sport and activity on campus. Nowhere was this more marked than at the “Big Block Club” awards, when school letters were presented to 35 outstanding athletes. Five of them were Betas. A key pair of events took place on December 27 and 28, 1936. Together they marked the end of a decade of tradition in Sigma Alpha Phi. On December 27, the chapter conducted its own Beta initiation for the first time, using the robes made by the Mothers’ Club. Those initiated on this occasion included two members of Sigma Alpha Phi. On December 28, there was a Christmas dinner for undergraduate and alumni brothers. The first highlight of this dinner was the presentation of an engraved plaque to Gordon Burke: To Dr. Gordon Burke, the Pater of Gamma Omicron
It’s not hard to imagine the long, loud and heartfelt applause that would have greeted this presentation. All the brothers present would feel that this was no more than his due. For 10 years, he had worked untiringly to bring Sigma Alpha Phi into being, and then to bring it into union with his own beloved Beta Theta Pi. Truly, as G. Herbert Smith had said, the success of the new chapter was more due to him than to anyone else. — 132 —
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Also at this Christmas dinner, a special ceremony occurred. This event represented the final break with a past that would now exist only in memory: A touching event of the evening came when Wilmer Haggerty, a charter member, read over the old Sigma Alpha Phi ritual and constitution, so like those of Beta Theta Pi in their high aims and lofty ideals. While the chapter sang the old Sigma Alpha Phi song, the ritual and charter were committed to the flames of the fireplace, all believing that this was the only way to keep them sacred.
This must have been a moment laden with emotions too deep for words. Throughout their first year as a Beta chapter, the men of Gamma Omicron maintained the long-standing tradition of scholarship which had characterized their brotherhood since its founding. However, as District Chief Thomas I. “Nish” Chapman, Oregon ’21, reported, establishing the chapter’s exact scholastic record proved difficult since the University would not release figures. This problem has long been familiar to the members of Beta chapters in Canada! Another aspect of scholarship was shown when the chapter began a program of guest speakers. Members of the fraternity or alumni were invited to address the chapter on topics related to education or vocations. This program reflected the prevailing belief that a cultivated man would possess an array of knowledge on a wide range of topics, rather than just a deep specialization in one area. However, it was noted that alumni speakers had a habit of sliding sideways, as it were, into reminiscences instead. On one evening, the deans of three faculties at the University were present as guests of the Beta house. In November 1937, the chapter submitted for approval the coat of arms devised by George M. Chandler. The device in the quadrant shows a “mural coronet” (a kind of crown constructed in the form of a stone wall) with a ship’s mast bearing a square sail and a pennant rising from it. This is the device of the city where the University is located, Vancouver. The motto bears no clear relationship with Beta Theta Pi, but has a clear connection to the coat of arms: “Neighbours of Pilots.” There is more here than a clear reference to the mast and sail. To this day, when one looks out from the campus across English Bay to the large ships swinging at anchor, one feels that this motto is highly appropriate to the location. An unfortunate situation arose in March 1937. Oddly enough, there is no record of any earlier such occurrence, say, at the Toronto chapter. John Ronald Roberts, — 133 —
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British Columbia ’38, felt compelled to resign from Beta Theta Pi. He objected strongly to the use of the tune of “God Save the King” (the national anthem at that time) for the singing of the “Beta Doxology.” G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27, sent the chapter the following advice by letter: My advice would be to immediately accept the resignation of Brother Ronald Roberts. If he is at all embarrassed in his membership in Beta Theta Pi, I am sure we do not want to further embarrass him... I believe that his criticism is entirely unjust. I think he should be proud that his fraternity has chosen the tune to your national anthem to be used for the most sacred song that we have in Beta Theta Pi.
Brother Smith goes on to note, by way of a comparison, how a scripture passage used in the ritual was changed to suit American sensibilities. He states that he feels it would be entirely appropriate if the Canadian chapters replaced the altered line, “Honour those in authority,” with the original “Honour the King.” However, the men of the chapter seem to have succeeded in convincing Brother Roberts, without making any ritual changes, that his objections and consequent resignation were unfounded. At any rate, the district chief noted (some years later) that the resignation was never processed. Not all situations arising in the chapter involved such serious moral scruples. The report to The Beta Theta Pi in December 1937 outlines the possible drastic consequences arising from a perpetual problem of the Fraternity — spelling brothers’ names properly: This chapter editor would like to make a special report as he is very thankful to be still completely intact for he has been in very great danger of losing his skin since the March issue of the magazine. The reason for his discomfort has been big, burly Brother “Ken” Macdonald, ’37, an officer in the C.O.T.C. and ex-provincial police officer, who took great offense when his name, honored name, which appeared in the last issue was spelled in the hated Irish way, M-cD-o-n-a-l-d — and not in the beloved Scotch manner — M-a-c-do-n-a-l-d. This is typical of genial “Cuddles,” as Ken is commonly called by the boys, despite his 200 lbs. He always seems to have this difficulty, as his name was spelled wrongly on his pin and in several pictures which he has had taken — and he always raises the roof to the delight of all the fellows.
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The author, who shares the same first name and is also the possessor of a commonly-misspelled surname, has to confess that his sympathies lie entirely with “Cuddles” in this matter! The roll book further states that Brother Macdonald was affectionately known not only as “Cuddles” but also as “Bull of the Woods” and “-*!?%#$!!!” (and yes, this is a direct quote from his page in the roll book!). I can only hope that I haven’t fallen into the error of misspelling anyone else’s name in any part of this book! In 1938, District Chief Nish Chapman, Oregon ’21, noted a need for more extracurricular involvement, so this area of the chapter’s program may have been slipping. He also noted a troubling trend of having only a few areas of the university community fully represented among the membership and urged that the men work to build a chapter reflecting all groups on campus. Meanwhile, the chapter had been renting houses on a year-to-year basis. At the time of the chartering, its address was 4255 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver. A letter sent to the editor complains that copies of The Beta Theta Pi are repeatedly misdirected to 4255 East 12th Avenue. One can only imagine how the problem must have been compounded in 1938, when the chapter moved again to 1306 West 12th Avenue! One of the consistent activities of the British Columbia chapter’s early years was the hosting of special dinners to honour Beta brothers. An interesting example took place on January 10, 1939. The honouree was the American Consul in Vancouver, John Ker Davis, Wooster 1904. Davis had been a staunch supporter of the chapter for years. His presence and involvement would be much missed as he left to take up a new posting in the Orient.
The rented house at 1306 West 12th Avenue, 1939
Storm clouds were looming on the horizon in 1939. The Gamma Omicron Chapter, young though it was, could face the impending war with more confidence than Theta Zeta had been able to do in 1914. For one thing there was a substantial core group of Beta alumni from many chapters living in Vancouver. In 1914, Toronto — 135 —
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had only its own graduates to offer support. Also, Gamma Omicron had its 13 years of life as a chapter. Finally, the university attendance provisions of the Canadian officer training program helped to ensure that many more men would remain in school until they had completed their degrees. Gamma Omicron would benefit to a great degree (like Theta Zeta) from this policy and its results. None of this is meant to suggest that all was wine and roses. For all its years of experience, Gamma Omicron was still a young chapter with limited resources, and a certain amount of wartime dislocation was inevitable. Although many men stayed in school, there were others who headed out to enlist. Perhaps these young Beta brothers were influenced or inspired by tales of Mike Malone and the Toronto Chapter Fund, of “Carry On” and “Come over into Toronto and help us!” By mid-1941, the chapter was functioning in a definite wartime atmosphere of cutbacks and trimming of frills. All undergraduates who stayed in the chapter participated in the C.O.T.C. and took part in six hours of army drill weekly per man. One effect of the war was the cancellation for the duration of all competitive athletics, both intra- and inter-mural. Some non-athletic activities, however, did continue. One of these was the annual campus songfest competition. In 1941, the Betas won this for the first time. Their victory may have had something to do with the “rub-off” effects of associating with the Whitman chapter. This chapter gained undying fame in the Fraternity by travelling en masse across the country, in 1939, to provide song leadership at the Centenary Convention in Oxford. Many years later, the Whitman chapter would donate the Whitman Choral Cup as a competition trophy for the best singing chapter in the Fraternity. Since Whitman was located as a “near” neighbour of British Columbia in the state of Washington, it naturally entered the Pacific Northwest Songfest organized each year by the alumni in Portland, Oregon. Just as naturally, Whitman almost always won the first prize. Even if the B.C. chapter couldn’t knock off Whitman on the regional Beta songfest, it could learn from these masters of Beta music and take what they learned back to Vancouver. The long line of campus songfest victories that Gamma Omicron racked up over the years owed much to its good fortune in meeting the Whitman chapter in this way. Of course, the choice of songs did no harm either. If a chapter is to enter in a contest of this sort, it really pays to choose a song which will make a simple yet — 136 —
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indelible effect on the judges. The men of Gamma Omicron chose the most famous, the most unforgettable of Beta songs, the one that can most readily bring tears to the eyes of its listeners: “The Loving Cup.” On April 3 and 4, 1942, the chapter hosted a joint convention for Districts XXI and XXII, similar to the one held in Districts III and IV, involving Toronto. This special inter-district convention replaced the Portland Songfest. Once again, the purpose of the meeting was to discuss solutions to wartime problems faced by all chapters. This session adopted an interesting format. The men grouped according to the offices they held, i.e., all presidents formed one group, all treasurers formed another, etc., and thus input was collected from all chapters on similar issues. In the afternoon, each group of officers reported back to a general session on its discussions and decisions. The various awards traditionally given out at the songfest banquet were presented at an evening dinner following these business sessions. The Gamma Omicron Chapter received many letters of thanks for the effective organization of the event. The general consensus was that little was lost by the change of venue, and much gained (given the wartime problems that had to be solved) by the change of format. At the time of the inter-district convention, the British Columbia chapter had said that it expected to be able to draw enough members to hold onto its rented house for the duration of the war. Sadly, by the end of 1942, this decision had to be rethought. There simply were not enough men able to afford rooms in the chapter house. Instead, the chapter would continue to function as a social club without a house. Meeting space would be rented on an as-needed basis. A report announcing this decision in The Beta Theta Pi stated that many other fraternity chapters on campus already had to take the same action. As the pages of the magazine make abundantly clear, a large number of Beta chapters everywhere were in the grip of the same financial crunch. In November 1943, the first Victory Bond Drive was held on the campus, and raised a total sum of $4,400. Of this amount, the Betas raised $1,000. The bond was held in trust for the General Fraternity, and the interest was used to purchase war savings stamps which would in time add up to another bond. For a small chapter beset by wartime membership problems, it was an impressive performance indeed! — 137 —
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Another chapter decision shows where the members set their priorities. The men of Gamma Omicron decided to forego their annual custom of sending Christmas cards to all the chapters in Beta’s Broad Domain. Instead, the men turned their pens to writing personal notes to all of the brothers on active service, notes which were undoubtedly appreciated more than words could say. This was only one of a number of events during the war years that showed how well, and how dearly, the brothers of Gamma Omicron remembered their absent brethren. In the 1943 campus songfest, the Betas sang a special new variant on an old and well-loved Beta song. The rules in force called for songs of two or more verses. A new rule barred any competitor from using the same song three or more years in a row. This meant that the Betas would have to drop their two-time award winner, “The Loving Cup,” and try something different. The “something different” was the beautiful “Beta Stars,” with a second verse composed especially for the occasion by Robert Wallace, British Columbia ’44: When stars are shining Gamma Omicron will meet tonight All friends together, we will Sing of old Wooglin’s might, Our voices raising to the skies on high Blending our song in a Phi-Kai-Phi
By this time the chapter size was rebounding under the stimulus of the government’s wartime education program. The active membership in the fall of 1943 was 20, and by the spring of 1944, this had risen to 35. Looking to the future, the Betas began to draw up plans for funding and constructing a new house when the war should end. In the fall of 1944, it was announced that a Beta architect from Portland, Oregon, had begun drawing preliminary design plans for such a house. It was a measure of the chapter’s strength, even in wartime conditions, that the men felt confident of the eventual success of this plan. On March 31, 1944, the annual Father and Son Banquet included a very moving incident. District Chief Stanley R. Church, Washington State ’31, and General Secretary G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27, were present at this highlight of the chapter’s year. Here, in the words of Church, is an account of the evening:
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One incident of the night impressed us strongly — an incident that emphasized the great love that all Betas and those near and dear to them hold for the fraternity. As we were seated around the banquet table in the Hotel Vancouver, active members of the chapter with their fathers, Chapter President Donald Ross asked each man to introduce himself in the customary manner of Beta affairs. It soon became apparent that there were far more fathers than sons present and we were informed that the fathers of all members of the chapter, both active and alumni, had been invited to this annual function. A momentary hush fell on the gathering as first one, then a second father arose to give his son’s name and class year, then softly announce — “Missing in Action.” The love that the sons held for Beta Theta Pi had been transmitted to the fathers — those “members who don’t belong.”
As the war ended in 1945, there were 90 men of the chapter who would return home — but all anyone could think were the nine who would not. And, as with the Toronto chapter after World War I, the men of Gamma Omicron felt a strong desire to honour permanently their war dead. It took a few years for the plan to come together, but in 1948, a handsome memorial plaque was dedicated. The plaque is headed by the chapter coat of arms, flanked by three stars above and to either side of it. The side stars are flanked by the dates 1939 and 1945. Below these appear the nine names: A. Norman Martin John D. Granger James C. Harmer Donald N. Ferguson Kenneth F. Macdonald
Robert F. Mcintyre John E. Storey H. Ross Wilson Robert M. Sinclair
The names are framed between two burning torches, and below are inscribed the words from the Beta Doxology: “Let not the Wreath be dim.” Betas may be renowned for their sense of humour and practical jokes, but when more serious business is at hand, they can always be counted on to do the job properly. So, at last the honoured name of Kenneth “Cuddles” Macdonald was spelled properly. The plaque served as a treasured reminder in the British Columbia chapter house of the strength of the brotherhood that caused the Beta brothers to raise it in memory of nine of their own, gone but certainly never forgotten. — 139 —
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Of Rhodes and Haussers Gamma Omicron reached the end of the 1944-45 school year in solid
financial shape, and with a strong active membership. Although the war had not yet ended, the signs were plain that victory in Europe was not far off. However, no one was prepared to make any prediction as to how long the war against Japan might last. Despite this looming question, the Beta undergrads and alumni felt that the time was right to acquire a new chapter house. Accordingly, a property was bought in May 1945. This house was located at 1645 West (not East!) Twelfth Avenue, and seemed well-suited to the purpose. But there was a slight difficulty. All the wartime regulations around construction and renovation work had led to a severe housing shortage in many Canadian cities, and Vancouver was no exception. In order to prevent social dislocation, the government had placed a ban on any sort of eviction or repossession proceedings without permission of the courts. Even when a lease expired, the tenants could not be forced to leave, but could stay on and pay rent as though they had a lease. As long as these rules were in place, it would prove impossible for the men of the British Columbia chapter to occupy their new quarters. In fact, it took a year and-a-half of waiting before the chapter was finally able to move in the fall of 1946. Like Toronto, the UBC chapter had an unusually large and diverse membership after the war. The same mix of older and younger men, with or without military service of various kinds, led to the same types of difficulties with unwieldy — 141 —
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chapter meetings and the like. By 1948, though, the great wave of men had mostly passed through and things settled back into a more normal pattern. Another sign of the war’s end was the resumption of the Portland Songfests. These events kept growing larger and larger. By 1948, the seventh time the Regional Songfest was held, there were more than 400 Betas in attendance, plus 300 nonBeta guests. This was a larger number than many of the General Conventions of that day. Obviously Stan Church had tapped into something really big when he organized the first songfest back in 1938! For a few years after the war, the UBC Betas were unable to attend the Songfest because of a conflict with the dates of their final examinations. This was neither the first nor the last time that the differing calendars of American and Canadian universities created scheduling problems for Beta event organizers. However, the Beta boys were finally able to make the giant 1948 Songfest, and made a good impression (even though they didn’t win) with a specially-written sweetheart song by Kenneth Campbell, British Columbia ’49. Special notice came to the chapter in 1946 when Allan Ainsworth, British Columbia ’46, was named a Rhodes Scholar, the first from Gamma Omicron. He had served as president of the Alma Mater Society (student council) and the Debating Society, and was a three-time member of the University Mock Parliament. The great landmark of the summer 1947 social season occurred during the visit to Vancouver of the battleship U.S.S. Iowa, with 900 N.R.O.T.C. cadets aboard. In honour of this occasion, a giant onshore dance was hosted for the visitors by the Alma Mater Society. During this dance, the British Columbia Betas found some twenty Beta brothers among the midshipmen. Most of these men had yet to discover the other Betas aboard the Iowa! Gamma Omicron planned a beach party on a grand scale for the last night of the Iowa’s visit, but it was rained out. A little matter of a slight shower couldn’t stop the Betas, however, and the party transferred to the Beta house. There, the proceedings roared on until all hands had to get back aboard the Iowa before liberty expired at 0200 hours. In 1949, for the second time, a member of the chapter won the Rhodes Scholarship. John N. Turner, British Columbia ’49, was very much an all-round man, earning high grades as well as national gold medals in track, while still — 142 —
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participating in the Memorial Cup hockey team and the swim team. The article in The Beta Theta Pi which announced the scholarship win said in part: His fine team spirit and sports ability have in a great measure contributed to the winning of the intramural athletic cup by Gamma Omicron for two consecutive years.
Brother Turner went on to a distinguished career in law and politics, a career crowned in 1984 when he moved into 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa as prime minister of Canada. In this, he scored a point for his Canadian brothers over their American counterparts, who have yet to capture the White House. The name and face of John Turner are undoubtedly known to more Canadians than any other Canadian Beta brother, in spite of his relatively brief tenure in the prime minister’s office. The fraternal idea in Canada being what it is (relatively unknown), very few outside the circle of the Beta brotherhood know about his Beta membership. Betas, however, know Brother Turner very well. He has attended many Canadian Beta events, served as guest speaker at several, and is well known for his generosity to the Fraternity and to his brothers. In May 1948, a new event was held: a luncheon to welcome new graduates into their membership in the British Columbia Alumni Association. When this lunch was held again the next year, it brought the largest graduating class of Gamma Omicron’s history: 23 men. The year 1949 also brought a first mention in The Beta Theta Pi of the trophy that was to become a proud and perennial possession of the chapter: the B. E. Hausser Cup. This was donated by a past national president of Phi Delta Theta to be awarded annually to the outstanding chapter among fraternities on the UBC campus. Tracking the chapter’s numerous victories in the Hausser Cup competition is an exercise in frustration. For one thing, there were so many! For another, this first mention of the cup in the magazine neglects to say whether it was the first time the cup was presented, or whether it was the first time the cup was won by Gamma Omicron. Plainly, too, the chapter neither knew nor particularly worried about such details. The total number of wins reported in The Beta Theta Pi fluctuates mysteriously — 143 —
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from year to year. One year, the magazine article might state that “Beta Theta Pi is still the only name on the Cup.” The next year’s report would say that “Beta won the Hausser Cup again, making five out of the last six years.” One report stated that the cup had been presented six times, while the very next year, that total had jumped to sixteen. However, the following facts are clear. Beta Theta Pi won the first Hausser Cup more often than all the other fraternities combined. In 1956, when Mr. Hausser decided to retire the cup and replace it, the original was given permanently to Beta Theta Pi, which promptly won the new cup as well. As competition continued into the 1960s, Beta kept on winning the cup with great regularity. In time, the Hausser Cup was caught up in controversy. Smaller chapters asserted that the rules favoured the larger chapters. The larger chapters generally believed that the rules were fair, except that Beta always seemed to have the edge. Eventually the Hausser Cup competition died out, a victim of the ongoing arguments and of changes in the UBC Greek system. In retrospect, the whole story appears similar to Beta Theta Pi’s experience with the original Sisson trophy. Trying to determine the “best” chapter, either on a campus or in a General Fraternity with many diverse chapters, has a strong flavour of comparing apples and oranges. One has to feel sorry for the judges making such decisions. The difficulties are surmountable, but the loss of good will involved in the exercise can easily exceed the positive results of the competition. The one thing that the Hausser Cup clearly achieved was to demonstrate, for all to see, the excellence that was the Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi! By 1952, the chapter was in superb condition. Ranked first among 17 fraternities on the campus, the Betas excelled in athletics and scholarship alike. The chapter grades averaged 70% at a time when the campus average was 55%. Out of 12 members of the Sigma Tau Chi honorary society, four were Betas. There were also two more Rhodes Scholars: C.P.S. Taylor, British Columbia ’52, and James F. McWilliams, British Columbia ’53. In an article for The Beta Theta Pi, G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27, commented on the significance of Gamma Omicron’s four Rhodes Scholarship winners: A great Beta Chapter inspires greatness in its individual members. Gamma Omicron is indeed a “Mother of Men” and our brothers from British Columbia bring distinction to all of us in Beta Theta Pi. — 144 —
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Another sign of Gamma Omicron’s eminence was the selection of one of her brothers, Ivan R. Feltham, British Columbia ’52, to act as undergraduate speaker at the 113th Convention, held in 1952 at the Bigwin Inn, Ontario. Brother Feltham’s address on “The Cultivation of the Intellect” reflected accurately the nature of his chapter. It also foreshadowed the fact that he would receive a Rhodes Scholarship the following year. The chapter was still finding housing to be a problem. The university was growing rapidly, and had already almost doubled the undergraduate population in less than a decade. Naturally, the Beta chapter reflected that growth. The house simply wasn’t big enough for the number of members who wanted to live in. All of that was about to change, as the alumni were finally within sight of their long-cherished goal: a fund large enough to build a new chapter house. And the university had agreed to allow construction of fraternity houses on its lands. The land was sold outright by the university to three chapters, including Beta Theta Pi. Phi Delta Theta and Phi Gamma Delta were already settled into their houses on a new Fraternity Row. It would now be only a question of time before the Betas followed suit. In 1952, the chapter mourned the loss of its first founder. Dr. Maxwell A. Cameron, British Columbia ’38, was #1 on the roll of Sigma Alpha Phi, and also of Gamma Omicron. Max had worked hard to bring a fraternity to life, supported it during its drive toward a Beta charter, and continued to visit and support it as the Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi. He was much missed by the brothers.
The new chapter house on Wesbrook Crescent, opened in 1954
The banquet at the Northwestern Songfest and Conclave hosted by the chapter in 1954
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In February 1954, Gamma Omicron hosted the Northwestern Conclave and Songfest in Vancouver. This event brought a large and distinguished crowd of Beta guests to witness the official dedication of a new chapter house on Wesbrook Crescent. This was the third house on the Fraternity Row, where it was hoped all seventeen chapters would eventually locate. The new house was a modern flat-roofed two-storey building, with accommodation for sixteen brothers. Since the vast majority of UBC students lived in the greater Vancouver area, a house of this modest size was adequate for the needs of the chapter at that time – and indeed had to take in one or two non-Betas to keep the rooms full. Although the street name has been changed to Wesbrook Mall, and the house has since been replaced, the same location is still in use today. At the time of replacement, the 1954 house was still both the newest and (paradoxically) the longest in continuous use by the Fraternity of any of the Beta chapter houses in the country. This memorable “year of the new house,” 1954, concluded with the annual Christmas luncheon, held as a tribute to Dr. Gordon Burke. His continued involvement and advice were great assets, and the chapter was delighted to honour him. Two tragic losses darkened the year 1955. Arnold Stanley Kerr, British Columbia ’56, and Murray Whorton Martindale, British Columbia ’53, were killed in separate accidents. Loss of life is thankfully not a common event for any Beta chapter. When it does happen, the effect is huge – and even more so when two deaths occur in the same year, as happened at this time. One of the most enduring of all Gamma Omicron traditions began in 1956. The “Beta Dairy” party has continued annually up to the present day, but not quite in the same form as it first appeared. This social event originally celebrated the Betas’ reputation as the biggest milk drinkers on the campus. The first “Beta Dairy” included the crowning of the Beta milk-drinking champion. If this sounds a little odd to Beta brothers of more recent vintage, consider the famous and oft-quoted remarks of Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence ’22: The Beta Beverage was MILK. Milk consumption at meals in Beta houses was astronomical. Milk by the gallon was drunk.
That first Beta Dairy stands as corroborating proof that Dr. Brooks did indeed note accurately what was going on, although some unkind readers of his words — 146 —
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have had their doubts. It was still true at the Toronto house in the 1970s where a restaurant-size milk machine in the kitchen had to have its bag-in-a-plastic-crate changed frequently. If anyone still doubts, there is a photograph in the UBC chapter archives of a “boat race” at a Beta Dairy with cups of milk! The chapter report to The Beta Theta Pi concluded with a remark which, in retrospect, has to be called a monumental understatement: (It) will most likely become an annual affair.
That same year saw the retirement of the original Hausser Cup in permanent possession of the Betas, and the Beta chapter’s subsequent winning of its successor. The latter part of the 1950s were a time of strength for fraternities everywhere in North America, and Gamma Omicron rode the crest of the wave. With its new house and strong membership, covering most faculties of the university, the chapter could easily take on all comers. In fact, the repeated successes in Hausser Cup competition didn’t merely reflect the chapter’s size. Anyone can build a large chapter. Gamma Omicron’s real secret was its extraordinary breadth and depth of membership. This kind of diversity does not happen by accident. One alumnus from that time recalls that the chapter wanted to be on the cutting edge in the area of racial diversity, and consciously decided to pledge and initiate non-Anglo-Saxon members. That was a brave and forward-looking move when many fraternity chapters in North American schools clung determinedly to the old idea that the Anglo-Saxon races were “superior” to all others. This was happening just a few years after the “Kenyon crisis” had challenged the unity of Beta Theta Pi with the initiation of an African-American student at that Ohio college. In the Vancouver region, it’s hardly surprising that this idea of racial diversity translated into a small but growing presence of members of Japanese, Chinese and other Asian ancestries. And a quick look through the university’s annual publications confirms that Beta Theta Pi was in the lead among UBC fraternity chapters in this type of diversification. Another good indication of the chapter’s strength was the fact that, in 1956, no less than four members served on the 14-seat university student council. Members served in leading roles in sports teams, but also in the Letters Club (literary society) and the U.N. club. The strengths of the chapter’s intramural team became famous – and these were intramural competitions against the whole university community, not just against the other Greek letter organizations. The — 147 —
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quality of the membership was reaffirmed in 1957, when G. Sholto Hebenton, British Columbia ’57, became the sixth Gamma Omicron brother and the eighth Canadian Beta to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. It took only a few years for the chapter to outgrow its new house. Both expansion and upgrading were needed. The success of the chapter meant that more living quarters and larger public spaces were required. Good proof of the need for more public space was furnished in November 1958, when a brother, as a real sign of the times, rented a TV set for the Grey Cup Game. One TV set for a chapter of over 60 men to watch the Grey Cup Game (and you can bet most of them were there!) must have generated a huge overcrowd in that room! Within a couple of years, the chapter was buying its first TV set, levying the members the resounding sum of one dollar per man to finance it. The TV set was purchased within that limit of money! Throughout all these busy times, the chapter continued its solid relationship with its alumni, and especially with Dr. Gordon Burke. His role at British Columbia had become similar to that of Bev Hannah in Toronto. In a world filled with change and crisis, Gordon Burke represented stability and continuity as well as brotherhood and fraternity. In June 1960, Brother Burke reached his 55th year as a Beta. The men of British Columbia celebrated the occasion with a splendid testimonial dinner. During that event, the story was retold: how Gordon Burke had urged on the founders of Sigma Alpha Phi, led the campaign for a Beta charter and then gone on to serve for a quarter of a century as chapter counsellor. The presentation to Brother Burke took the form of an illuminated scroll which was read out and then handed to him. On January 31, 1961, early in the morning, Dr. Gordon Burke passed away. The year of Gamma Omicron’s 25th anniversary had just dawned, and he had hoped to see the event himself, but it was not to be. The undergraduates debated some form of memorial for their chapter counsellor, and decided to plan it cooperatively with the alumni. The final selection surely would have pleased Burke. Not just a passive memorial on a wall, the Betas of British Columbia honoured the “Pater of Gamma Omicron” with a living, working memorial. They decided to name the new chapter room in the expanded house after their distinguished leader. It meant that the creation and dedication of the memorial to Gordon Burke had to wait a couple of years, but everyone felt it was well worth waiting. — 148 —
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On November 25, 1961, the University of British Columbia chapter, the Gamma Omicron of Beta Theta Pi, celebrated its 25th anniversary. Hundreds of Betas attended to the celebrations. Every graduating year from 1936 to 1961 and beyond was represented. Several of the original founders of Sigma Alpha Phi were present. Dr. Burke was much missed, although he was surely present in spirit. The active chapter and alumni planned diligently, and the results exceeded expectations in every way. The first quarter-century of Gamma Omicron was marked by one great success after another. Even as the 25th anniversary was celebrated, there were signs that this was changing. The character of the chapter was altering amid changes in the community of the university. The next quarter-century was to bring bigger, tougher challenges. Gamma Omicron would never be the same, but its manner of meeting the challenges that lay before it would be entirely characteristic. In that respect, the chapter would retain the greatness of the past and carry forward into the future.
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Going it Alone In sharp contrast to their brothers in Toronto, the men of the British
Columbia chapter sailed into the “crisis era” of fraternities holding all the trump cards. The result was that, while other chapters on the campus floundered or even closed, the Beta house triumphantly stayed open and remained strong.
This is not to suggest that the brothers of Gamma Omicron were immune to the trends of the times — far from it. Because they approached these changes from a position of strength, they were affected far less than others. The effect of radical thinking was to bring out new displays of strength in what never stopped being a very strong chapter. The first and most important strength of Gamma Omicron during these years of crisis in the Greek system was the house. The chapter had the benefit of a new house in an ideal spot in the middle of Fraternity Row, something that many of the other fraternities had never gotten around to doing for various reasons. In the early sixties, the house was completely overhauled and enlarged. The undergraduate chapter voted, late in 1961, to cancel the annual formal dinner/dance and put the $1,000 earmarked for it into the house fund, provided that alumni donations at least doubled that amount. This was not a problem. The General Fraternity provided additional financing, and construction began in the spring of 1962. An extensive addition was built, bringing the house up to its final size. This provided for additional living space. The older parts were thoroughly renovated. The crown jewel of the project was the construction of the “Dr. Gordon Burke Memorial Room,” with a Japanese garden outside its windows, to serve as a chapter hall. — 151 —
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This extensive job wasn’t done overnight, of course. Most of the structural work was completed by mid-1963. Interior work and decorating continued into 1964. Vast amounts of paint were used to achieve a colour match between the older part of the house and the new addition, both inside and out. The “Beta matchbox” looked better than it ever had. Other kinds of paint were splashed around too, in a manner of speaking. In the fall of 1962, the chapter appointed George Peter, British Columbia ’64, to choose paintings to be bought for the house. Evidently Brother Peter’s choices were not to everyone’s taste. At a later meeting, a motion was passed calling for future painting purchases to be of a more traditional character! This controversy — for such it was — This 1964 photo of the chapter house shows the rear wing added in the early 1960s.The Gordon Burke Memorial Chapter Room opened over the paintings proved that it’s onto the courtyard garden between the wings. always risky to call someone out on what is essentially a matter of personal taste. Brother Peter resigned from his offices in the chapter two weeks later. However, he got the last laugh by being elected chapter president at the end of the year! The dedication of the Memorial Room marked, in a sense, the end of an era for the chapter. The sense of certainty of direction was to become increasingly vague, and much time and energy were to be consumed in the search for new directions. It was, of course, a problem that the UBC Betas shared with their Beta brothers everywhere. In 1965, the chapter invited Paul P. Van Riper, DePauw ’37, General Secretary of the Fraternity, to speak at the annual formal dinner. Brother Van Riper’s speech affirmed that democratic processes can fail for lack of good will, and that life in a fraternity is a major instrument for teaching men how to make choices in a spirit of good will. One wonders how much he had heard about divisions in the chapter.
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Tensions between differing points of view are a natural part of fraternal life. In a large chapter such as Gamma Omicron, these are even more likely to occur. During the 1960s, these tensions became much more visible. It’s not clear whether there was more tension, or whether the men were simply being more forthright about discussing and recording what was happening. Also, Gamma Omicron and the University were definitely affected by the swirling social currents of that time. We’ve already noted the negative effect those social changes had on the Toronto chapter. British Columbia was by no means immune to what one alumnus described as the social imperative of the times: “It was in to be out.” As an example, the long-held tradition of purchasing neat blue blazers for all members of the student council executive was abandoned in 1967. One serious source of disagreement was the practice of “dinging” recruits (another name for “blackballing”). As was customary in many chapters using this practice, no reason needed to be given by the man dinging a potential member. Several of the brothers strongly disagreed with this practice. When they were unable to persuade the chapter to support their viewpoint, these men announced their intention to resign their membership in Beta Theta Pi altogether. For reasons one can only guess, none of these resignations were ever processed in the Administrative Office in Oxford. This uncertain conclusion to the affair led to an investigation in 1970 by District Chief Barry McDell, British Columbia ’65. His inquiries led him to the conclusion that all of the men involved still ranked as members of the Fraternity in good standing, and wished to continue as such. That marked the end of the threatened resignations, but the episode still stood as a sign of the unusual tensions in the chapter. Other signs came with extended arguments over the subject of serving alcohol. In this case, no sooner had the chapter (after much debate) worked out a set of procedures to be used in all cases where alcohol was to be served, than the members voted to suspend the procedures for one particular event — homecoming. It was only one of a number of instances where the chapter reversed itself. This suggests an ongoing struggle for control. You might ask how that could happen if all brothers attended the weekly meetings. The answer, of course, was that they didn’t. Several instances mentioned in the minutes show very low attendance — 39 present and 33 absent one week. When the names of those present and absent also varied, it becomes easy to see why the chapter could continually change its direction about the issues decided. — 153 —
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All was not in a constant state of uproar. Activity and Beta life continued on a high level. One of the great strengths of the chapter was the number of men, in any given year, who continued their involvement and activity in Gamma Omicron as they moved beyond their undergraduate experience into such professional faculties as law or medicine. These older, more mature brothers created a stabilizing influence on the brotherhood as a whole. Scholarship also remained a constant priority, the signs of which were not hard to find. In 1966, another brother of Gamma Omicron was chosen as undergraduate speaker at the 127th General Convention held at Bigwin Inn. Oddly enough, while a photo of Eduard Lavalle, British Columbia ’66, delivering his speech, did appear in The Beta Theta Pi, no mention was made of the topic, nor was the text of his remarks printed (as was then customary). Also in 1966, yet another brother was named as a Rhodes Scholar: Ian D. Clark, British Columbia ’66. An article in The Beta Theta Pi surveyed the record of Rhodes Scholars from across Beta’s Broad Domain. There were seventy-seven altogether at that time. Seven of these, or one of every eleven, came from the Gamma Omicron chapter. In 1968, it happened again: Richard French, British Columbia ’68, became the eighth Rhodes Scholar of the UBC chapter. It was, and remains, a record for numbers of Rhodes Scholars from any chapter of Beta Theta Pi.
Eduard Lavalle addressing the 127th General Convention
As part of a common trend across North America at this time, some brothers in the chapter were beginning to look closely at their relationship with the General Fraternity. In some ways, they found it to be wanting. The chapter had specific complaints about communications. They believed that the annual regional conclave (which grew out of the old songfests) was the most important medium of communication, but that even here, improvements were needed. Some men in the chapter were chomping at the bit: they wanted a chance to host the conclave, and put their ideas into practice.
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The chapter again attended the Northwestern Conclave and songfest in 1969, with a total of some 300 Betas and guests taking part. The number still looks impressive, but not so much as in the glory days of the 1950s. All the same, a good time and a productive experience apparently were had by all who attended. It wasn’t enough to still the critical voices. By now, it was becoming clear that many members of Gamma Omicron no longer thought of themselves as part of a larger body with a valid role. As District Chief Barry McDell wrote at the end of 1969: One year ago an undercurrent ran through the chapter that it was unfashionable to support openly and uphold the General Fraternity and many of its traditions. The chapter was operating as a group rather than a fraternity.
McDell detected exactly the same kind of difficulty that had crept into the Toronto chapter during this period. It was a problem also found in many other chapters and other fraternities. In Toronto, it took years to overcome. The British Columbia chapter was more fortunate in having leadership to find its way out of this spiritual dead end. D. Blair Tully, British Columbia ’66, was a man of vision and insight, with a strong belief in the inherent values of Beta Theta Pi. He worked hard throughout the year to impart his belief to his brothers, and with a large measure of success. By the end of 1969, both the chapter members and the district chief were crediting Tully with turning the situation around. The chapter had renewed its belief in the Fraternity, and its role therein. This strength of will and belief set Beta Theta Pi apart from the other fraternity houses on the UBC campus. The Betas certainly weren’t perfect, but they had a sense of purpose that was lacking elsewhere. The overall situation of the Greek community at UBC was going quickly from bad to worse. And while Beta had its share of difficulties, it certainly fared much better than the others. As one brother from that day remarked, “We were at the head of a pack of decliners.” In this sense, British Columbia and Gamma Omicron were very much reflecting the rebellious, questioning social environment of the times. As with virtually every campus in North America, non-conformity became the new standard of youth, and traditional social practices were called into question at every turn. Since fraternities are bodies that are highly dependent on — 155 —
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the strength of their traditions, their future survival everywhere in Canada and the United States was definitely on the line. As other fraternities declined, Gamma Omicron was in danger of becoming complacent about its own success. There was a real risk of the men fooling themselves about how well they were actually doing. That risk was especially great if Gamma Omicron continued to measure itself only against its on-campus competitors. As District Chief McDell wrote in his 1970 annual report: The chapter must also exercise caution, as it will become easier to remain on top in the next few years. A strong respect for its own traditions and high standards will have to replace external measurements.
By the end of 1971, there was a possibility that Gamma Omicron might soon be the only surviving fraternity on the campus. Several chapters that had once been strong components of the Greek system had died. Their houses had been sold to developers. The Inter-Fraternity Council had disbanded. Offers had even been made to buy the Beta house (which were refused). Even in this crisis atmosphere, the Beta chapter managed to keep the house filled with brothers, but it was a struggle each year. The brothers of Beta Theta Pi refused to give in to despair and let everything collapse around them. Men of the chapter worked hard to revive the moribund I.F.C. A meeting of the alumni association voted not to sell the chapter house, but instead increased the mortgage to make necessary repairs and renovations to the “Shoebox.” Even when the house could not be kept filled with Beta brothers, the men wouldn’t give in. True, they had to accept a number of non-members living in the house, but that didn’t mean it had to be any less a Beta chapter! It says much for the quality of men passing through the chapter in those tough times that one year’s executive contained not one, but two future members of the General Fraternity Board of Trustees: Alan Young, British Columbia ’71, who served as chapter president, and Jim Strilesky, British Columbia ’72, who served as sergeant-at-arms. Both men would go on to become vice-presidents of the General Fraternity. Strilesky’s service has continued for many more years in a number of roles, including district chief and scholarship commissioner.
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Young also gave the undergraduate address at the 1971 Convention. It marked the third time a UBC brother addressed the convention, and the second time in less than 10 years. Young’s speech on “These Timeless Qualities” contained this stirring affirmation of Beta’s nature: I first learned Beta Theta Pi in another country, in what by most standards would be a very modest chapter house, but there is no Canada, no United States, no East, North, West or South which can bind or restrict these principles of friendship. Those that attempt to do so are denying the true essence of this fraternity.
Another big event for the chapter came in 1972, when Gamma Omicron hosted the first regional leadership workshop held in Canada. This was the new General Fraternity initiative for member training, and grew out of the older idea of regional conclaves. It was attended by representatives of 15 chapters from all states down the west coast, plus Idaho and Utah. There were three main speakers: President Peter F. Greiner, Minnesota ’51, General Secretary Richard M. “Misty” Shoop, Denison ’41, and Robin M. Elliot, British Columbia ’69, past president of the chapter. The event was a great success.
Alan Young addresses the 132nd General Convention.
Brother Elliot performed another important service for the chapter in 1973, when disturbing signs of dissension again appeared among the brothers. He chaired a series of special meetings to bring these problems into the open. The men worked to define goals, solve finance issues, and get at the roots of declining spirit and increased apathy. Thanks to Elliot’s adroit chairmanship, the issues were brought forward, the air was cleared, and the men felt able to go forward in a positive frame of mind. It was fortunate indeed that Brother Elliot was available on the spot, as he had by this time joined the faculty of the university.
Plainly, it wasn’t always easy being a Beta at UBC during those troubled years. As one of the few survivors of a once-great Greek system, the Betas had to carry a load that had once been spread among many chapters. They didn’t always get
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everything to work perfectly, but they kept trying hard. In the end, that ongoing effort alone won the battle. When the chips were down, the men of the chapter had the same bulldog determination that distinguished their predecessors who had fought for the right to wear the badge and bear the name. Thus, tradition was honoured and preserved once again.
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We Did it Our Way The Gamma Omicron 40th anniversary seems like a fitting place to start the
story of the next phase of life at Gamma Omicron. This event was, of course, celebrated in 1976 and more than 45 alumni attended, according to the report sent to The Beta Theta Pi. That number seems a little low for such a large chapter with such an active base of alumni supporters. Perhaps it had something to do with the fact that the anniversary celebration took place at the spring Beta formal, which is primarily an undergraduate event. It’s not that the alumni were unwelcome; the chapter went out of its way to welcome the older brothers.
It’s clear, though, that this was a chapter determined to do its own thing. The song title, suitably modified, comes to mind: We Did It Our Way. That kind of strength and determination, properly channelled, can be a powerfully positive force. Part of Gamma Omicron’s strength continued to derive from its roots. In 1977, the chapter initiated six legacies. British Columbia has long enjoyed a strong base of legacies; they form a powerful link between the chapter’s past and present. When the moribund Greek system at UBC began its slow and painful revival in the late 1970s, Gamma Omicron’s many strong points placed it at the head of the parade. As in other parts of North America, the numbers of men entering the Greek system slowly grew. The one chapter which had never really fallen apart during the previous weak decade was the natural leader of this new growth phase, and was looked to by many of the other Greeks on the campus. It was commonly accepted that Betas knew more than anyone in the neighbourhood about running a successful fraternity. — 159 —
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As the Greek system slowly regained its strength, so did the campus intramural sports and other activities. A sense of competition among the fraternity houses slowly built up once more. As the district chief ’s report for 1977 suggested, the Betas were truly at their best under such circumstances. In 1978, Gamma Omicron again demonstrated its strength and organization by again hosting a successful regional leadership workshop. One of the worst tragedies that can befall a Beta chapter is the loss of a brother from the undergraduate chapter. On June 14, 1979, William Kershaw, British Columbia ’83, was killed in an auto accident. Even though the school year had ended, the word went around quickly. Dozens of William’s Beta brothers made the long trek to Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, to attend the This 1979 photo shows six Gamma Omicron chapter presidents. The funeral. This proof of fraternal dates of each man’s presidency are shown in brackets. Top row, L to care and support made a lasting R: Ronald Tysoe ‘78 (1974-75), W. Scott Canning’78 (1976-77), and William Pedlar ’77 (1977-78).Bottom row, L to R: Larry Kancs impression on the Kershaw family. ’76 (1973-74), J. Kevin Land’80 (1979-80), and John Rea ‘80 Barely three years later, on July 26, (1978-79). 1982, the chapter was hurt again by the death of Lorne Campbell, British Columbia ’85. Again there was a large turnout of Beta brothers to the memorial service. It is at times of tragedy like these that the fraternal ideal runs strongest in the hearts of brothers, and Beta Theta Pi best justifies its existence. Gamma Omicron had its fair share of triumphs as well. Its most stunning records were set in the campus competitions. For instance, in 1980, the chapter took first place in the campus songfest for the 23rd time in 41 years. The campus songfest had, by this time, reached such a professional calibre of staging and performance that the entire show at Vancouver’s premier cultural venue, the Queen Elizabeth Theatre, was taped for later television broadcast. In the early 1980s, the Gamma Omicron chapter and house corporation found themselves faced with a long list of needed improvements. More stringent fire and safety codes across the country forced work on the Toronto — 160 —
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and Western Ontario chapters at the same time. It’s one thing when an outside authority forces improvements on a chapter. It’s quite another matter when the behaviour of the chapter itself makes repairs necessary. A series of events in 1981 left a long list of repairs needed to the house at the end of that year. It was one of the first signs that the chapter’s independent spirit could be troublesome as well as beneficial. District Chief Alan Young, British Columbia ’71, felt compelled to address the issue in his 1981 annual report to The Beta Theta Pi. His words, though addressed to this chapter, could well be taken to heart by brothers in every chapter: ...the active chapter should and must give the physical structure of the house all the respect and recognition given the three Greek letters on the facade of the building.
Over a span of several years, Gamma Omicron’s prime philanthropic activity was the annual Walk for Joe, a fund raiser for the B.C. Heart Fund. The name originated with a documentary film made not long before this, which was entitled I am Joe’s Heart. This film was shown each year at an information session prior to the walk. Each member of the active chapter was partnered with a student nurse, and sent out to canvass the neighbourhood door-to-door, one pair per apartment building, for the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The 1982 Walk for Joe, in conjunction with the student nurses of Vancouver General Hospital, raised a total of $1,850. By 1983, the house was in serious need of renovations. The heavy rainfalls common to a Vancouver winter took quite a toll on the exterior. The busy life within took its own toll on the interior. And everywhere, there were aspects of the house that had been state-of-the-art in 1954, but now required serious upgrading to modern building code standards. A detailed list shows how the work needed was arranged into four priority groups, ranging from the critical to the merely desirable. In 1983, the chapter again hosted the Beta Theta Pi Regional Songfest and Conclave (not to be confused with the UBC Campus Songfest). The importance of this gathering is shown by the attendance of both the General Secretary and the President of Beta Theta Pi in the same year: Lloyd Kirk, Kansas ’55, and Peter van de Water, St. Lawrence ’58, respectively. To no one’s surprise, the Whitman chapter again captured the trophy for the best — 161 —
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performance in the Songfest! Brother Kirk reported favourably on his visit to the chapter house in conjunction with this event. An even more distinguished visitor was welcomed to Vancouver by the chapter that summer. A photo in The Beta Theta Pi showed the chapter house decked with Canadian and British flags and a large welcome sign hanging from the edge of the roof. The brothers stood on the roof to wave as the motorcade drove by. The “guest of honour” was Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, making a royal visit to western Canada that summer. In 1984, the chapter won the campus songfest yet again, but also took the trophy for the most spirited performance — and this apparently marked the first time that the same entrant won both awards. From this fact, we might well gather that the Most Spirited Award was often treated as a consolation prize. A great and historic distinction was voted to District Chief Alan Gamma Omicron brothers welcome the 1983 royal tour to Vancouver. Young, British Columbia ’71, in 1984. He was elected as a vicepresident of Beta Theta Pi, becoming the first brother from a Canadian chapter to sit on the Board of Trustees. His successor as district chief was Jim Strilesky, British Columbia ’72. Strilesky was also to be elected to the Board as vice-president, in 1992. To date, these two fine British Columbia Betas remain the only brothers from Canadian chapters elected as members of the Board of Trustees. Chapter President Allan Copping, British Columbia ’86, had to sort out a different kind of problem situation in 1985. The chapter received a letter from H. Pearce Atkins, Cornell ’36, General Fraternity scholarship commissioner, declaring the chapter “subject to scholarship assistance.” Of course, that was far from the truth! The letter was automatically generated at the Administrative Office, in response to a directive from the General Convention to monitor scholarship results at all chapters. And that was the crux. Not only do the Canadian schools have no official relationship with their fraternities, but they are forbidden by Canadian privacy laws from sharing official results with anyone other than the — 162 —
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student in question. In order to meet the convention’s directive, each individual student would have had to approach the university, order a special transcript sent to Oxford, and pay a sizable administrative fee for the privilege. After Copping made clear the size and cost of this burdensome process, a compromise procedure for non-reporting universities was worked out with the General Fraternity. This allowed chapters such as British Columbia to remain in good standing, as their academic record abundantly justified. During the 1985-86 school year, both active chapter members and alumni spent much time and effort gearing up for a magnificent celebration of the 50th anniversary of Gamma Omicron. A major formal dinner to mark the occasion was set for May 24, 1986. A parallel dinner in Toronto was organized by the Southern Ontario Area Alumni Association because of the large number of British Columbia alumni living in that region. Plainly, this anniversary would be a big event, and rightly so: only the second Beta chapter in Canada to reach the magic “big five-oh.” Why did the active chapter have to choose that same year to step out of line, and thereby earn a most unwelcome “first” for itself? During the fall initiation week, a scavenger hunt led to an incident of minor property damage and theft involving a university building. The chapter suffered the suspension of its charter, the first time any Canadian chapter had to be suspended. Plainly, independence of spirit had led to errors of judgment. At the same time, the chapter’s handling of the incident reflected the basic high quality of the men of Gamma Omicron. Almost before the General Fraternity had a chance to notify the chapter of its suspension, the men had made restitution to the University. In quick succession, the chapter set up new committees to deal with needed reforms in recruitment and pledge education. The chapter handled the whole issue so responsibly and responsively that the charter was reinstated the same year at the convention, almost before others in the Fraternity noticed what had happened. This whole unfortunate situation was not allowed to interfere with the 50th anniversary celebrations. The Toronto banquet in February 1986 was attended by more than 300 brothers, who came to see John Turner, British Columbia ’49, presented with the first Oxford Cup ever awarded to a Canadian. The Oxford Cup, then a fairly new award in Beta Theta Pi, was created for presentation to Betas who have distinguished themselves in their chosen fields of career endeavour — 163 —
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or community service (as opposed to their services to the Fraternity). The presentation was made by John J. Rhodes, Kansas State ’37, President of the Fraternity, and destined to receive the Oxford Cup himself in 1991. The other business of the evening was, of course, the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Beta Theta Pi’s largest Canadian chapter, Gamma Omicron. The Toronto dinner was attended by three charter members of Gamma Omicron, and by no less than four of the eight Rhodes Scholars which this great chapter has John N. Turner receives the Oxford cup from graduated. Another guest of honour was President John J. Rhodes in Toronto, 1986. the current president of the chapter, Allan Copping, British Columbia ’85, who flew to Toronto from Vancouver especially for the occasion. Many other well-known Betas attended this festivity, which would have been a great anniversary party in its own right. But this dinner was only the curtain raiser for the main event, the anniversary banquet held at the Four Seasons Hotel in Vancouver on May 24, 1986. This dinner was attended by 510 Beta brothers, including an astounding 40 percent of all men ever initiated into the chapter! Among those present were four men with single-digit roll numbers, and a total of 24 Fraternal Fifties. This large number at the earliest date when any UBC man could become a Fraternal Fifty is easily explained, when one remembers that many men from the Sigma Alpha Phi Society were initiated onto the Beta rolls. Again, four of the eight Rhodes Scholars were present. John Turner was on hand again (and once more served as the principal speaker), as were Alan Young, Jim Strilesky and Mike Harcourt, British Columbia ’66 — then mayor of Vancouver and later to become premier of British Columbia. In presenting the story and photos of this amazing evening in The Beta Theta Pi, editor Jack McClung, Kansas State ’37, acclaimed it as perhaps the best-organized, and certainly the best-attended chapter function reported in the magazine during his time in the editorial chair. At the 1986 Convention, the brothers were pleased to receive their charter back, as they had done all that was necessary after the embarrassing pledging incident — 164 —
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The first group of British Columbia Fraternal Fifties form a Mystic Circle at the anniversary banquet.
More than 500 brothers assembled for the 50th anniversary banquet in 1986.
of the previous year. Only time would tell whether that incident was a mere blip in what was otherwise a great record. In a great example of forward thinking and planning, the house manager sat down with the members of the Gamma Omicron Corporation in a series of meetings in 1987 to draw up a five-year plan for house renovations. The plan examined both interior and exterior needs, and grouped them in order of priority. One item in this plan was a definite sign of the times. In 1988 the alumni purchased for the use of the house — a computer (that’s right, one computer for the entire house!). Today, it’s a safe bet that a fair number of undergraduates arrive at university with more than one personal computer (or smart phone, tablet, etc.) in tow. Over the next two years, all the furniture, drapes and lamps in the public areas were replaced. Another landmark in 1988 was the signal success of raising more than $3,200 in two hours at the Walk with Joe fundraiser. The continued excellence of Gamma Omicron was proven yet again in 1990 when the chapter won the 50th Annual Campus Songfest. Over half of these songfests dating back to 1940 had been won by Beta Theta Pi. Since the chapter size often neared or even exceeded 100 men, there was always a substantial pool of talent upon which to draw. This chapter size is unique among Canadian chapters and places British Columbia closer than her Canadian sisters to a more typically “American” type of fraternal experience. Also more in line with the American model is the clear — 165 —
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relationship between the university and fraternities, with the chapter occupying housing on what was originally university land. In this respect, too, Gamma Omicron is atypical of Beta’s Canadian chapters. These years were marked by a change in the type of men entering the chapter. Tradition had always been a strong force in Gamma Omicron, but now many traditions began to lapse. District Chief Jim Strilesky, British Columbia ’72, noted especially that there was a need for returning to roots in the areas of ritual performance and chapter singing. By the following year, Strilesky had a list of concerns including recruitment, social programs, executive structure and involvement of all men in chapter operations. In particular, he commented that the social events were too timeconsuming to organize, required too much manpower to run and cost too much money. The implication was that all of these resources could be put to better use — and especially the money.
This striking mural in the chapter house mural depicts a Beta Dragon flying over the chapter house and the city of Vancouver
The 1990s caught Gamma Omicron, and all the other Canadian chapters, in a vicious financial bind. The cost of services provided by the General Fraternity was climbing, and dues were increased several years running. The need for liability insurance created another series of financial headaches. It was the purest bad luck that these cost increases coincided with a drastic fall in the value of the Canadian dollar relative to the American dollar. Suddenly, the cost of Beta brotherhood had become too rich for a whole range of university students in Canada.
Obviously, the pool of potential recruits shrank. As money became tighter, men who did rush Beta were encouraged to inspect the product more carefully, to ensure maximum value for their dollars. Many of the men who looked at Beta Theta Pi, in Vancouver and elsewhere, came to the conclusion that the possible benefit was too small and the cost too steep. The resulting decline in chapter numbers created a serious cash flow problem. In 1991, the chapter cut some corners in its financial management practices, and — 166 —
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got into hot water with Revenue Canada as a result. By the year end, the chapter paid the government in full. In order to do so, though, the chapter had to leave a debt to the General Fraternity unpaid. There simply wasn’t enough cash on hand to pay both bills. The recruiting problem underlay this financial mess. Recruitment in 1989-90 had only brought in seventeen men. This meant that everyone had to work harder to boost recruiting numbers in the following year. It didn’t happen. By 1992, the picture was becoming even bleaker. Recruitment that year produced only 15 recruits. This sounds like a reasonable number by the standards of the smaller chapters in other parts of Canada, but set against the close-to-100 active membership of Gamma Omicron, the problem becomes apparent. As the larger classes of former years were graduating, the chapter wasn’t recruiting nearly enough new members to replace those leaving. In District Chief Strilesky’s mind, at least, the solution was clear. The chapter needed to reassess its values, and return to the core which had given the chapter strength in the past. Strilesky identified such points as a lack of set mealtimes with their chances for chapter interaction, and the use of pledges exclusively to clean the house, pointing out that these practices damaged chapter cohesion. He also tabbed the ongoing problems with the internal organization of the chapter. From the chapter’s viewpoint, though, the great issue of the day was “risk management.” In fact, this issue dominated the entire agenda of the Fraternity from the latter half of the 1980s into the 1990s and beyond, and understandably so. There were those who felt it became too dominant an issue, as for instance an American brother who once referred (at a General Convention session) to “the great god risk management.” Fortunately, though, there were others who saw the importance of the situation to the future well-being of the Fraternity as a whole and forced it into discussion and action. The entire risk management debate was prompted by fear of massive lawsuits. It became something of a catchphrase to refer to “our increasingly litigious society,” yet the statement was only too true. In the United States, juries were awarding huge sums of money to successful plaintiffs. Canadian juries were not going as far, but some of the damage awards, even in Canada, amounted to several millions of dollars. In many cases, the reasoning of the jury appeared to run this way: “These poor people have been hurt in a big way; it’s the insurance that pays anyhow, and everyone knows insurance companies have lots of money, so why not?” — 167 —
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But of course, not all insurance companies have “lots of money” and many exited the third party and public liability insurance fields altogether. Others continued to underwrite, but charged increasingly stiff premiums for their coverage. As a result, public liability insurance became even harder and more expensive to obtain, and some high-risk clients (including some Beta chapters) were not able to get coverage at any price. The General Fraternity wanted to take this situation in hand, and obtain some form of blanket liability policy which would insure all chapters, their officers, volunteer advisors and the General Fraternity organization as a whole. It went without saying that the lowest practical price could hopefully be obtained in this way. In order for that to happen, another inescapable conclusion followed: all chapters would be compelled to clear up or entirely avoid any and all situations which exposed the chapter, its officers, and the officers and staff of the General Fraternity to unacceptably high levels of risk. The entire “risk management policy” was designed to ensure that this happened. However, many chapters had trouble with the overall concept. Some had been insuring themselves successfully for years and saw no need to participate in the General Fraternity program. Some that were doing a very good job of managing their risks already feared that their insurance rates would rise as some of the lesscareful chapters were included. Some chapters didn’t understand clearly why they needed liability insurance at all! For the British Columbia chapter, the major problem was that the risk management policy made no allowances for the differing legal aspects of liability and insurance in Canada, nor for the lower levels of damage awards in Canadian lawsuits, nor (and this was a real sore spot) the variance in laws from province to province governing alcohol use, and the way that these laws almost always varied from those prevalent in the United States. What the UBC Betas wanted was an entirely different risk management policy to be applied to the Canadian chapters, and a separate insurance structure. The idea was not without precedent in the fraternity world. When the 1992 General Convention voted to approve the latest version of the risk management policy and the insurance policy, the British Columbia delegate made an attempt to have such changes inserted. However, since he brought the matter onto the floor of the convention at the last minute, there was no time to have his proposals referred back through the appropriate committee as required — 168 —
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by The Code of the Fraternity. During the winter of 1992-93, the chapter set out to draft a more detailed proposal for an independent Canadian risk management policy. It was another reflection of the chapter’s “doing it our way” approach. This document was taken to the General Convention of 1993 with some hopes of success. The idea of a completely separate policy did not win acceptance, but some parts of the risk management policy were modified or revised to reflect the Canadian situation, and the Canadian chapters were assessed a lower fee for their insurance coverage. It could be counted as a victory of sorts. Unfortunately, Gamma Omicron was losing another and much more critical battle at the same time: the battle for new recruits. Members of the chapter blamed the recruiting problems on the General Fraternity with its rapidly rising fees and insurance assessments. Other factors were at work in the situation, though. Somewhere along the line, the chapter’s traditional concern for academic standings had weakened, and the chapter GPA was bouncing like a yo-yo, up one year and down the next. The chapter house in 1999
Regarding membership, the number of men in the chapter was down, by spring of 1994, to 60, a drop of 40 percent in just four years. It was not surprising that the chapter also found itself in debt to the General Fraternity once again. Nor did succeeding years do much to change the situation. Gamma Omicron remained comfortably in the middle ranks of the Fraternity in terms of overall achievement, scholastics and recruiting. Many Beta chapters were not doing as well as British Columbia, but many were doing better. It was a notable change from earlier years when Gamma Omicron won the right to become a Beta chapter, in the face of stringent opposition, by demonstrating itself to be clearly a brotherhood of “the best and the brightest.” It was also a change from the more recent days when the Jack Geddes Memorial Trophy (given at that time to the best Beta chapter in Canada) was won several times by Gamma Omicron — with good reason.
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Knox and Vancouver at 75 Later in the 1990s, Gamma Omicron staged another of its surprising
comebacks, proving that a top quality chapter was never far away in Vancouver. Membership numbers rose once more. And the quality of the membership was equally noteworthy. This was no case of “quantity over quality.” The latest recovery at British Columbia was amply proven at three back-to-back General Conventions in 1999, 2000 and 2001. The chapter took home three Sisson Awards, and, in two of the three years, also won the new and far more stringent John Reily Knox Award. It became the first chapter in Canada to win the Knox Award, and the first chapter anywhere in Beta’s Broad Domain to win the coveted prize three times. Moreover, the chapter also won the General Secretary’s Convention Cup in all three years. This was a new innovation of General Secretary Jerry Blesch, Centre ’60 and consisted of a points accumulation contest during the convention weekend over three events: an athletic event, Beta singing, and the Beta Jeopardy lore contest. The men from UBC came away with comfortable first place finishes, not least because they attended the conventions with large numbers of undergraduates.
Chapter members pose on campus after winning their first Knox Award in 1999.
That brings up the famous story of those mass group treks. The men of Gamma Omicron rented a motor home to accommodate everyone who wanted to — 171 —
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go, and set off on a lengthy cross-country trek to the convention site, visiting numerous Beta chapters along their route in each direction. The motor home proudly bore the name “Knox Box,” and that soon became a famous slogan that many people at the conventions took away and remembered. In so doing, they sent a great message to other and closer chapters that insisted it was “too far” or “too expensive” to travel to a General Convention. The spirit of the men from UBC at the turn of the new century was an object lesson to anyone who wondered whether Beta Spirit was dying.
A formal group photo of the brothers with the Knox Box
A more informal picture of the Knox Box
Other proof of the chapter’s renewed excellence was at hand closer to home. Large numbers of members competed in university sports teams (20 in all in 1999) and numerous brothers held significant positions in student government, IFC and an academic honour society.
Brothers of the chapter singing at the 161st General Convention in 2000
If the progress of the British Columbia chapter historically had its ups and downs, there was no doubt at all that it was here to stay. Proof positive came when the university decided to try
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gaining control of the valuable lands along Wesbrook Mall in the middle of the campus. All the fraternities that had long-term leases on land from the university had their leases bought out. The other two fraternities which had full ownership of their land, sold to the university at generous prices. At least, unlike the Toronto crisis of 1966, there was no attempt by university authorities to expropriate the houses. But, in 1999 Gamma Omicron, with the full agreement of the active chapter and the alumni, refused to sell. The members could see no benefit in being moved further away from the centre of the campus and its life, into the “fraternity village” of townhouses which the university had planned, where they would be on a long-term lease. But this brought up another problem. The original “Beta Shoebox” of the 1950s and its later extension were in pretty rough shape, and replacement was seriously needed. The city planning department demanded that any replacement construction had to fit within the ground footprint of the existing structure. The solution was to demolish the existing house and replace it with a new one, not a copy of the old one but somewhat similar in appearance. The irony here was that Gamma Omicron, unlike all other Canadian chapters, had built its own house to its own specifications. It was newer than all the other Beta chapter houses in Canada. And now, this house was due to be replaced. Fund raising for the project was difficult. The sheer amount of cash to be raised was formidable – more than $2.5 million! Against that set the fact that Gamma Omicron had a large body of fiercely loyal alumni who stepped up to the plate when they heard the call. Those alumni now took the lead with a unique plan to meet the unique situation. A group, officially unaffiliated with the current housing corporation, applied to the Canadian government for charitable registration as the “Point Grey Low Cost Student Housing Association.” This new body’s stated objective was clear from its name. The plan was that the new housing association would lease the land from the existing housing corporation for 99 years and build a new structure with upper floors completely dedicated to housing quarters and facilities. The existing corporation would then lease back the basement area to serve as a chapter hall. At the end of the 99-year lease, title for the building would pass to the housing corporation. This ingenious scheme allowed donors to support the PGLCSHA to receive tax receipts. — 173 —
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Under these very favourable conditions, the alumni responded enthusiastically. The fundraising drive was launched in November 2001 with a brochure and letter sent to all alumni, the letter signed by honorary chairman John N. Turner. The alumni donated $600,000 in a year, allowing construction to begin in 2003. During 2003-2004, enough money flowed in to reduce the mortgage amount from $2.5 million to $1.2 million. Donations in subsequent years slowly reduced the indebtedness to just $750,000 by September 2011, quite remarkable given the short time involved. The new house proudly opened in 2004, and the signal success of this project launched Gamma Omicron further into its new era of success, growth and fraternal pride, not unlike the earliest days of the chapter.
Exterior and interior views of the new chapter house, taken in 2012. The interior photo shows, on the far wall, the Chapter Hall of Fame introduced at the 75th anniversary celebration in 2011.
The story of Gamma Omicron reached a tremendous climax on October 2, 2011, with the official celebration of the chapter’s 75th anniversary. More than 600 undergraduate, pledge and alumni brothers gathered in the great hall of the Rocky Mountaineer tour train station in Vancouver. This extraordinary crowd of Beta brothers included men of all ages in great numbers. I was privileged to attend, and can attest that this was the loudest party I had ever attended with no music – the noise was generated solely by hundreds of excited conversations. Before the dinner was served, all the assembled brothers trooped outside for a single massive group photo, which was taken by a photographer perched on the roof of the station building, three stories above ground. The picture shows how all the assembled brothers were wearing their special 75th anniversary — 174 —
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Brothers assembled outside the station for the 75th anniversary group portrait
rugby jerseys, still as throughout the chapter’s entire history the signature clothing item of Gamma Omicron. The logistics of serving a buffet dinner to more than 600 people were handled with three serving areas, and everybody was fed about as quickly as one would have any right to expect with such a massive crowd! Various speakers after dinner shared news about the progress of the fund raising to pay for the new house and other matters. A huge standing ovation greeted the oldest UBC Beta present, Alexander Charters, British Columbia ’38, who proudly holds roll #53. A chapter Hall of Fame was created, and a sizable wall plaque to hang in the chapter house was unveiled. A large number of special fundraising activities were held throughout the evening, and a net profit of more than $20,000 was turned over to the Point Grey Low Cost Student Housing Association – another great boost toward eventually lifting the mortgage on the new house entirely. Joined by General Secretary David E. Schmidt, South Florida ’92, keynote speaker for the evening was the most prominent living Beta in Canada, John N. Turner, British Columbia ’49. Rhodes Scholar, athlete, politician, prime minister, senior lawyer – for more than 60 years Turner had carved a notable path across Canada’s landscape of public affairs. But, as the reader has already seen, he never neglected the Fraternity and was often pleased to participate in Beta events. His speech on this occasion was as stirring as any he ever gave, and came closer to holding the attention of the entire vast crowd than any other single voice of the evening – with good reason. — 175 —
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So the story of Gamma Omicron reached a magnificent culmination in the fall of 2011. But it certainly wasn’t an “ending.” As one of Beta’s perennial strong units and shining stars, the British Columbia chapter continues into the future along a path well laid by all the generations of Betas back to Gordon Burke — and beyond him, all the way back to Oxford in 1839.
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PART IV University of Western Ontario Chapter The Delta Alpha of Beta Theta Pi
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Kappa Tau Sigma One of the “sidelines” of the Greek fraternity world is the existence of a
number of fraternities which recruit specifically from one college or professional faculty at whichever university they are located. Some of these societies are referred to as “honorary fraternities”: the invitation to join is extended, as a special privilege, to men who reach a high degree of competence in their studies. Others are social fraternities, operating much as the mainstream Greek-letter societies do, but with the membership restriction. Only one of these subject-specific fraternities has had an effect on the story of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. That was the honours science fraternity, Kappa Tau Sigma, at the University of Western Ontario. Kappa Tau Sigma would eventually affiliate with Beta Theta Pi to become the Delta Alpha Chapter. Four of the seven chapters of Beta Theta Pi in Canada have arisen from the affiliation of a local society with Beta. Of these four local bodies, Kappa Tau Sigma had by far the longest history as an independent local fraternity: twenty years. This long term of independence was possible because of the high standards the fraternity set and enforced upon itself. On March 30, 1932, a group of chemistry students met in Huron College to discuss the chances of forming a fraternity specifically for honours science students. At that first meeting, they drafted a rough constitution, and adopted a motto which expressed their ideal: “Knowledge through Science.” The name Kappa Tau Sigma was chosen as representing the initial letters of this motto. Notice the difference from Beta practice where the Greek letters of a chapter name stand for the words of a chapter motto in Greek, which is then translated into English for common use. — 179 —
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A petition for formal permission to set up an honours science fraternity was drawn up and presented to the board of governors of the University. At this time there were only two fraternities on the campus: Alpha Kappa Kappa and Delta Upsilon. The Board of Governors must have been worried about too much of a good thing. The petition from the Kappa Tau Sigma group was unexpectedly rejected by the University’s administrative council. Undaunted, the founders returned to the attack in the fall of 1932, working to secure endorsement of their efforts from a number of notable professors in the science faculty. This approach worked. In January 1933, the council reversed its previous ruling, and Kappa Tau Sigma became the third officially recognized fraternity at the University of Western Ontario. In that same fall, the fraternity was able to move into a house, which was suitable for its needs. Considering the difficulty some new chapters today have had in finding and holding onto suitable housing, this was a lucky break for the new chapter at the outset. Kappa Tau Sigma continued to develop through the 1930s, successfully building up its numbers in spite of the economic difficulties of the times. More than numbers built up during those years. The fraternity was also building up a large body of traditions and policies. A strong streak of individualism set this fraternity apart from others on the campus. High levels of academic achievement were part and parcel of Kappa Tau Sigma’s record as well. Close ties were maintained within the brotherhood by total adherence to the honours science programs as recruiting ground for new members. No one should be surprised that a sterling group such as this would attract outside attention. Several major fraternities were looking at Western Ontario as potential expansion territory, and thought that this one independent and superb body, already located on the campus, would make a wonderful affiliate. Over the year, Kappa Tau Sigma was approached as a potential affiliate by Sigma Chi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Delta Sigma Phi and Theta Chi. All of these overtures were politely declined. Years later, Clifford C. Gregg, Cincinnati ’17, was to write of these offers: I learned that nine other fraternities had at various times approached Kappa Tau Sigma in an effort to annex that group. Some of them came with talk of $150,000 chapter houses, others with talk of
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prominent graduates or athletic supremacy. One approached them primarily on the basis of its own vast coverage. It seemed that only Beta Theta Pi had an appeal on the basis of idealism.
The men of Kappa Tau Sigma were both glad and proud of their freedom from outside influence, and of their unique traditions. They simply felt that they had more to lose than to gain by joining any other fraternity. The Second World War was destined to change that line of reasoning. The male enrollment at Western Ontario fell to an all-time low in 1942, and so did the active membership in Kappa Tau Sigma. Unlike, say, Theta Zeta at Toronto, the men at Western Ontario were simply unable to continue doing “business as usual” and found themselves in severe financial difficulties. After consulting with the alumni, the active chapter decided to sell the house, since it could not be kept running on a solvent basis. What followed is worth being noted by all chapters that say it is impossible to stay in operation without a house. For 10 years, Kappa Tau Sigma did just that. The fraternity continued to pledge and initiate quality men and maintained financial stability and solvency. This was a good result of the sale of the house. More than that, the fraternity remained fully involved and a major influence in the inter-fraternity council, at a level fully equal to all the other fraternities on the campus. Several of the invitations to affiliate with larger international fraternities also came to the men of Kappa Tau Sigma during this “houseless” period. Perhaps the large fraternities hoped that the lack of a house would make the men of Kappa Tau Sigma more desperate for affiliation. It didn’t. In fact, this difficult time actually drew the brotherhood closer. Ties within the chapter were made stronger, and the brothers drew even greater pride from their success in surviving against all odds. Regular meetings were held in various premises rented for the purpose, and Kappa Tau Sigma’s members continued to observe all the rules and laws which they had laid down for themselves. The easy resort of loosening things up “due to the wartime situation” was not for these men! By 1949, the men of Kappa Tau Sigma had come around to the view that they would be better off as a chapter of a major fraternity. For reasons that have not been recorded, Dr. Hall (president of the University, and an alumnus of Sigma Chi) recommended that the Kappa Tau Sigma men approach Beta Theta Pi. — 181 —
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Their first contact was a Beta alumnus living in London, Arthur Hillary, Toronto ’26. The upshot was that Hillary approached District Chief William Altmann, Pennsylvania ’31. Hillary and Altmann then jointly approached the president of the Toronto chapter to arrange for a meeting of the two presidents. In the spring of 1950, contact was made between Kappa Tau Sigma and the Theta Zeta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. The two chapters hosted an exchange of social functions in the fall of 1950. Warmth and fellowship quickly grew between the two groups. In their petition for charter in 1952, Kappa Tau Sigma spoke most movingly of the reasons why this closeness grew. The passage is worth quoting at length: In the Theta Zetas we saw those qualities which only Beta Theta Pi could hold out to us. Perhaps the greatest of these was the close fellowship and warmth of sentiment which were such an integral part of Beta life. The singing Betas, to us, had a richness of brotherhood and comradeship which paralleled and surpassed the character which had been the very strength of Kappa Tau Sigma in her independent struggle throughout the years. The Beta standard of excellence, “High Scholarship,” epitomized the ideal which had always been the mainstay of Kappa Tau Sigma traditions. In all ways there was a common purpose, a linkage of sentiment, and a bond of mutual enthusiasm between Kappa Tau Sigma and the Toronto Beta Chapter.
It was Beta’s good fortune that the Toronto chapter of 1950 was at such a height of achievement and excellence in so many ways. It’s very clear that Kappa Tau Sigma would only surrender its independence to a truly superior fraternity, one that not only maintained but surpassed her own high standards. Beta Theta Pi, by and large, certainly was and continues to be such a body. But any large organization can have its weaker parts, and Beta is no exception. Had the Kappa Tau Sigma members’ first contact been with a different chapter at a different stage of its life, then they might well have decided that Beta, like all the other major fraternities, was not for them. In that case, Beta Theta Pi would have lost a golden opportunity, and had to take the more difficult route of starting a chapter at the University of Western Ontario from scratch. Instead, the members of Kappa Tau Sigma voted unanimously to affiliate with Beta Theta Pi if they should be given that opportunity. They agreed to work to — 182 —
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achieve the goal of chapter status in Beta. They were supported in this objective by their alumni, who saw — like the undergraduates — that affiliation with Beta Theta Pi would involve no loss or diminution, but an advance in the fortunes of their fraternity. Beta Theta Pi, too, was to be blessed with an important and valuable new chapter if and when this affiliation should come about.
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The Mighty Brotherhood Triumphs By the fall of 1950, the men of Kappa Tau Sigma had decided that they
wished to cast their lot with Beta Theta Pi. Making that decision was one thing; getting the consent of Beta Theta Pi to the proposed affiliation was another matter altogether. As in the case of the British Columbia petitioning local fraternity in the 1930s, success was neither certain nor perhaps even probable at the outset. The goal of a Beta charter was to be won only after a tough struggle. This is not meant to suggest that Beta Theta Pi regarded Kappa Tau Sigma as an unworthy candidate for chapterhood. Nobody disputed that this honours science body could hold up its head with the best of the best in Beta Theta Pi. The question was rather whether Beta Theta Pi should be considering any expansion at all. And it is very important to stress that those who were opposed to expansion on principle were motivated by the good and welfare of the Fraternity every bit as much as were expansion’s proponents. Both the Toronto chapter and Kappa Tau Sigma were very fortunate in being able to pass through the war years and remain in operation. Not all Beta chapters were so lucky. About 25 percent of all chapters had passed part of the war in an inactive state. Many more had remained active, but at the cost (like Kappa Tau Sigma) of surrendering their houses. No charters had been revoked during the war years — this was a deliberate decision of the last General Convention in 1942 — but much rebuilding had to be done. Many chapters, for all practical purposes, had to be rebuilt from scratch as though they were brand new. For Beta Theta Pi, the reopening of closed chapters and retrieving housing for the others was work of the highest priority after the war’s end, and it proceeded quickly. However, the slender human and financial resources of the Fraternity were severely strained by the speed with which this reconstruction was carried — 185 —
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out. Once it was complete, there followed the usual period of uncertainty with any new chapter, the careful watching to see if the new growth would succeed. During this period of watchful observation, many Betas felt that any further expansion should be deferred for a time until these many “new” chapters had a chance to consolidate their operations and stabilize themselves. There were also many Beta brothers who favoured expansion, but only in specific areas where Beta was under-represented. Canada certainly qualified, but, to many American brothers was of lesser importance and priority than certain areas of their own country. Finally, there were — as in the 1930s — a substantial number of brothers who were opposed on grounds of principle to any expansion whatsoever. This group was not as large as the others, but it included a number of influential brothers. Their basic argument was that Beta Theta Pi had reached optimum size. Any further growth would only serve to dilute the best qualities of the Beta brotherhood. In 1947, an attempt was made by certain parties, and notably the Toronto chapter, to interest the Board of Trustees in expansion at the University of Western Ontario. The subject body was a local fraternity (not Kappa Tau Sigma) which already belonged to a national business fraternity, and had also been negotiating with Zeta Psi. The men of Toronto spent much time and effort pursuing this possibility for Beta. The reaction they received from the Board of Trustees shocked them. According to a letter sent by District Chief Norm Dakin, Centre ’30, to one member of the Board of Trustees, the president of the Toronto chapter had been told in a phone conversation with this Trustee, “Personally, I am not that interested in Canadian expansion.” Reading between the lines of Dakin’s letter, it’s not hard to guess that the men in Toronto were boiling furiously because of this cavalier comment. Dakin urged that the Board send a letter to Toronto immediately, assuring the members that much board time was being given to the issue of expansion and that Toronto was not being slighted. No action was taken, though, and the Toronto brothers remained upset. However, the Board did urge the General Convention to commission a thorough and detailed survey of expansion prospects everywhere. Such studies — 186 —
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had been undertaken at fairly regular intervals every eight to 12 years. The last such report had been presented at the General Convention of 1937, and another was now clearly due. A special survey board on expansion was created by the 108th General Convention of 1947 with instructions to report to the 109th Convention. The survey board’s report was presented by G. Herbert Smith, DePauw ’27, and thoroughly surveyed expansion prospects in all areas of Beta’s Broad Domain. Among Canadian institutions, the survey board confined its work to those already known to possess fraternity systems where Beta was not represented. These were the University of Alberta, Dalhousie University, McGill University, University of Manitoba, and University of Western Ontario. All five schools were discussed in some detail. The survey board had this to say about Western Ontario: The University of Western Ontario, with a present enrollment of 2,600, with an anticipated regular enrollment of 2,000, is supported by the provincial government. The fraternity development on this campus is relatively recent. Delta Upsilon entered the campus in 1931 and has since been joined by Kappa Alpha society and Zeta Psi since the war. Colonization would appear to be the only avenue for expansion on this campus. The interest of our Toronto chapter and its proximity to Western Ontario would give Beta Theta Pi a method of operation through a dispensation granted to Toronto. There is still room for another fraternity at Western Ontario, and it would now appear that this offers the best opportunity in Canada to strengthen Beta’s position in the north.
It will be noticed that the survey board’s report does not mention the Kappa Tau Sigma local society, looking purely at the big players, the national and international fraternities. The conclusion of the report recommends a charter for Emory, a dispensation to be given to Vanderbilt to colonize the University of the South, and “early consideration” of Western Ontario, Southern Methodist, and Michigan State. “Continued interest” was recommended with regard to developments at the four other Canadian schools.
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This report was accepted by the convention purely as an information item. It was not adopted as an overall blueprint for action, although the recommendations with regard to Emory and the University of the South were passed. In 1950 came the first contact between Kappa Tau Sigma and Beta Theta Pi. Perhaps hoping to avoid another unpleasant situation, District Chief William Altmann, Pennsylvania ’31, wrote to Seth R. Brooks, St. Lawrence ’22, outlining the early contacts and work by the Toronto chapter. He included these words from a letter by John Durran, Toronto ’51, president of Theta Zeta Chapter: At the present time we do know that Fraternities are recognized on the Western Campus, that Dr. Hall will allow no other fraternity besides our own or Sigma Chi on the campus (he is an alumnus of Sigma Chi), that this is the last local fraternity on the campus, and that this is the last fraternity that will be allowed on the campus.
Altmann further wrote this revealing sentence: “I would like to be able to give Toronto some good information.” The implication is clear. There should be no repetition of the distressing incident of 1947. Altmann wanted to be sure that Toronto — and, by extension, Kappa Tau Sigma — were given the entire picture up front. Expansion was still unpopular in certain quarters, but it was becoming harder and harder for all but the die-hards to keep up their opposition. Kappa Tau Sigma was a worthy candidate, Western Ontario, plainly a deserving school, and the validity of planting a second chapter in Ontario was also undeniable. In the spring of 1951, the members of Kappa Tau Sigma prepared their petition to the 112th General Convention. It was with some surprise that they discovered they were lacking in some vital qualifications. However, this convention did give permission for them to petition the following year. This gave them a firm deadline to work toward, and a promise of favourable consideration. There were two main difficulties for this petitioning group. The first was the rule of the Kappa Tau Sigma constitution restricting membership to men in honours science programs; this conflicted with Beta’s open membership rules. It was a relatively simple matter for Kappa Tau Sigma to amend the constitution to comply with Beta’s rules. By the time the petition was presented at the 1952 General Convention, the chapter had already initiated two men from outside the honours science programs: one from business administration and one from medicine out of a total pledge class of five men. — 188 —
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The second difficulty was the lack of housing. In 1951, the chapter bent all its efforts to this problem and canvassed the alumni for donations. The housing fund grew at a considerable rate. In early 1952, a house was located which would meet the need admirably, and negotiations to buy were begun. However, the chapter would have had to commit the last dollar of its assets merely to pull together a down payment. The deal was deemed to be financially unsound, and was cancelled. The chapter and alumni then decided to rent interim quarters. With the membership rule solved, and the housing problem under active study, it was time for a petition to be drawn up and presented to the Fraternity. This was done at Bigwin Inn at the 113th General Convention. Even today, the petition makes a very impressive document. Nothing was omitted or left to chance.
This montage of pictures appeared in the Western Ontario charter petition.
At the time the petition was prepared, the active membership was 33. The men were involved in a commendably wide range of athletics and activities on the campus. The scholastic record was amazing. In 1951, Kappa Tau Sigma came in second among fraternities and sororities with a grade point average of 3.19. This was the only time in its history that Kappa Tau Sigma did not nail down first place, a record which speaks well for the chapter’s devotion to the cultivation of the intellect.
Local alumni of both Kappa Tau Sigma and Beta Theta Pi had been canvassed for their support of affiliation and a house purchase. Support ran high in both groups. The chapter was able to report that alumni donations had raised the fraternity’s assets to more than three thousand dollars, and that a suitable house might very well be procured for $20,000 or less. Further donations had been pledged. Most important of all, Kappa Tau Sigma was able to report the whole-hearted backing of the University, the Inter-Fraternity Council and no less than eight chapters of Beta Theta Pi!
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One of these chapter endorsements has an interesting slant. At first glance, it might appear surprising that the chapter at Massachusetts Institute of Technology would support the affiliation of a local fraternity at the University of Western Ontario. It happened this way. A Canadian student at MIT had been pledged and initiated into the Beta Upsilon Chapter there, but afterward decided to transfer to the University of Western Ontario. He made contact with the Kappa Tau Sigma brothers and then wrote back to his home chapter, urging their support, which was given. This brother was none other than Walter E. H. Massey II, MIT ’51, who would, many years later as a district chief, play a leading role in the establishment of three more new Beta chapters in Canada! Another letter of recommendation came from Gerald Shier, Toronto ’50. Already, only two years after graduation, Gerry was serving as president of the Toronto alumni association. Gerry, too, would play his part in establishing another new chapter at Guelph more than 30 years later, and his service and involvement in the alumni association would continue until his death in 1993. The strongest support of all came from the men of Theta Zeta Chapter. For how many years had Theta Zeta worked to secure another Canadian chapter of the Fraternity? Their efforts had yielded a partial success in 1936, but British Columbia was too far away to count in anything more than a symbolic sense. Western Ontario was another matter altogether, and the Toronto Betas were absolutely determined that this chartering would take place, giving them at last their long-sought partner, a sister chapter close to them in all ways. With such an impressive list of endorsements, and their own track record to speak so highly of them, the Kappa Tau Sigma men hoped that their petition would be readily accepted by the convention. However, the forces against expansion would not give up without a fight. In recent years, the General Convention has usually endorsed the charters committee’s recommendations without further comment. In 1952, the Western Ontario petition was subjected to a lengthy discussion. Certain key members of the convention, and certain chapter delegates, continued to express the fear that the convention would commit itself to a statement of general principle on expansion by the act of chartering any new chapters. Interestingly, as with both British Columbia and Toronto, one of the delegates expressing doubts about the wisdom of this move was the delegate from the — 190 —
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Virginia chapter. A more senior brother who continued to maintain that Beta should not expand was Seth R. Brooks. The charters committee made clear that it was not making any recommendation about the policy issue of expansion versus non-expansion. What the report did say was this: (The Committee) believes that Kappa Tau Sigma, U. of Western Ontario, presents an unusual and outstanding opportunity to strengthen Beta Theta Pi by the addition of a strong chapter in Eastern Canada where our Theta Zeta now stands alone. Therefore, the Committee recommends that a charter be granted Kappa Tau Sigma, U. of Western Ontario.
A key supporter was former General Secretary Clifford C. Gregg, Cincinnati ’17. He had made a formal visitation and evaluation of Kappa Tau Sigma, and his report had been strongly in favour of affiliation. His report was read in the convention hall, and made a strong impression. The men from Kappa Tau Sigma were allowed into the hall, upon a suspension of the rules, to present their case. The suspension of the rules was necessary because none of them could become brothers of Beta Theta Pi until a charter had been granted. After they left the hall, the vote was taken and was unanimous. The men of Kappa Tau Sigma had earned the right to become a Beta Kappa Tau Sigma representatives at the 1952 Convention chapter, in the face of opposition, by their own sterling qualities. It was with pride that they heard they were now the Delta Alpha Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. The formal installation of the chapter took place on the weekend of October 11-12, 1952, in London. The installing officer was Clifford Gregg. His report to General Secretary Brooks makes interesting reading. The men of Delta Alpha plainly went out of their way to organize a special series of events for this occasion. — 191 —
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The events began with an informal luncheon on Saturday, followed by the football game between Western and Toronto. As Gregg said later: It was Home-Coming Day for “Western,” and the celebration of that event has banished from my mind forever any idea that Canadians tend to be more restrained and cooly (sic) aloof than those of us from south of the border. It just isn’t so!
The game was followed by a buffet supper at which Beta alumni and Kappa Tau Sigma members were both present. Following that came a written examination on Beta lore and history. The events on Sunday began with a special church service at the chapel of Huron College on the campus. This service was a kind of “homecoming” for the men who had begun a local fraternity in a room of that same college 20 years earlier. This event alone earned the chapter considerable positive comment and contributed to the sudden and powerful effect which the arrival of Beta Theta Pi had on the University of Western Ontario. After lunch, 32 men were initiated into Beta Theta Pi — 16 undergrads and 16 alumni in all. Gregg commented: I am led to believe that there will be other alumni members initiated in the future. For some reason, there had been little alumni enthusiasm until shortly before the initiation. At present, enthusiasm is high.
The reason for this would not be hard to determine. As at British Columbia, there would be mixed feelings for the men whose college life had been spent in a local brotherhood. For them, the Beta affiliation marked a gain, but also a loss and a bereavement. Some would simply want to keep what they had enjoyed as it had been, even if only in their memories. The formal banquet began at 4:00 p.m. The toastmaster was Dr. Duncan McLarty, associate professor of botany, alumnus of Kappa Tau Sigma, number two on the roll of Delta Alpha. This faithful and loyal brother was the first to serve Delta Alpha of Beta Theta Pi as chapter counsellor, a position in which he had served for Kappa Tau Sigma as well. Brother Gregg was the keynote speaker and presented the charter. Another gift was a President’s badge from District Chief Paul Van Riper, DePauw ’37. Brother Van Riper would return many times to Delta Alpha in the future, especially for — 192 —
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various anniversaries. Four decades later, he would be the senior Beta present for the Beta Countdown on the occasion of Delta Alpha’s 40th anniversary. The spirit and enthusiasm of the men had given Delta Alpha a greater launching pad than most chapters enjoy. It would now be up to the members of that year and succeeding years to make good on the promise and potential they had been given to work with. Few believed that this would pose any problems. If nothing else, their hard work in pursuit of chapterhood showed what the future might bring. The choice of a chapter motto and coat of arms was an inspired one. George M. Chandler, Michigan 1898, Beta’s great expert on heraldry, used the device of the Diocese of Huron, minus the King’s crown. This was appropriate because Bishop Hellmuth, founder of the Diocese of Huron, was also the founder of Huron College, from which grew the University. And Huron College was, of course, the site of the founding of Kappa Tau Sigma from which sprang Delta Alpha Chapter. In the choice of a motto, Chandler had to devise something appropriate in tone and fitting the Greek letters “Delta” and “Alpha,” in that order. Again, his choice was inspired: “The Mighty Brotherhood.” The men of Kappa Tau Sigma could well have coined the phrase to describe themselves and their fraternity. Throughout its 20 years of independent existence, it was a strong sense of brotherhood above all which formed the “ties that bind.” Already, in the short time since their first approach to Beta Theta Pi, the men had demonstrated that same strong tie over and over again. It had impressed all who read the petition, and all who met their delegation at the 1952 Convention. The other fraternities on the Western Ontario campus were well aware of the strength that the combined forces of Kappa Tau Sigma and Beta Theta Pi had unleashed in their midst. Delta Alpha was truly a mighty brotherhood. Its might was destined to carry it from strength to strength as its life in Beta Theta Pi continued to unfold.
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A Tale Of Two Houses The newly-chartered Delta Alpha Chapter of 1952 still had one pressing piece of unfinished business: the need to purchase a chapter house.
It had been 10 years since the previous house had been sold during the wartime financial straits. Although the chapter had managed to operate acceptably since then, it was generally agreed that a proper house would help the chapter to remain fully competitive with its rivals on the campus. At the time immediately preceding the chartering, the chapter’s financial picture wasn’t strong enough to make buying a house a feasible prospect. In the spring of 1953, therefore, the chapter moved into a rented house. The deal to rent the house was announced in the June 1953 issue of The Beta Theta Pi in this convoluted way: With the combined powers of a well-polished crystal ball, the oracle of Delphi, and the personal counsel of Nostradamus at his disposal, Major Chandler could not have sounded a more prophetic note with the choice.
This statement refers to Chandler’s choice of the Huron arms for the chapter’s own coat of arms. What had this to do with the house? The chapter had actually rented, and was moving into, the principal’s house of the old Huron College building! It was an admirable choice because it could be completely secured apart from the rest of the old college building. One wonders how Chandler reacted when he read about this! During the remainder of that year, the rented quarters served the need adequately enough, although certainly not ideally. The major problem had more to do with — 195 —
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the chapter than with the actual building. After 10 years of “no house,” the men of Delta Alpha were being forced to learn the ins and outs of house operations — the hard way. No doubt the wheel was reinvented many times at Delta Alpha during the years 1952 and 1953. Thanks to good advice and a carefully written operating plan, the chapter actually managed to finish the year slightly in the black. Many other chapters have not been able to do so well, even after several years’ worth of house management experience. In all other respects, the chapter’s first year was a real winner. The chapter won permanent possession of the University’s scholastic trophy for fraternities and sororities after winning it again in 1953. District Chief Van Riper observed in his annual report that the chapter simply didn’t have the problems common to new chapters — apart from the house — because it wasn’t really new, but had 20 years’ experience as a local fraternity to draw upon. That was just as well, because the chapter was not conveniently located for the purpose of district chief visits. Delta Alpha had been assigned to the same district as Toronto, District IV. The two Canadian chapters were partnered with Syracuse and Cornell in upstate New York. Since DC Van Riper was living in Syracuse at this time, he had a long journey by road to reach his newest acquisition. At the 1953 General Convention, a special presentation was made to the Delta Alpha Chapter: a framed copy of the charter and a Loving Cup. The cup was presented by General Fraternity Vice President Elmer H. Jennings, Northwestern 1912, on behalf of himself and three others: Charles E. Dykes, Cornell ’36, Peter Van Norman, Toronto ’50, and Owen Williams, Toronto ’50.
The house at 266 Oxford Street, purchased in 1955
In 1954, the chapter maintained its outstanding scholastic record, as it had done throughout the years. Also, a detailed financial plan was drawn up, directed to the goal of buying a house within the next year. This was accomplished in 1955, when the chapter’s newly-formed Delta Alpha Housing Corporation purchased a house at 266 Oxford Street. It might seem like a strange location to brothers from other schools, as this house was located several miles from the campus. — 196 —
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There were valid reasons for this distance. First of all, the University might extend official recognition to fraternities, but that was all. Unlike UBC, the privileges did not extend to the use of University lands for the construction of chapter houses. That said, the areas nearer the campus did not contain large houses suitable for fraternity use. Finally, the possibility of new construction had to be ruled out. The housing fund was growing as quickly as the alumni could spare the money to put into it, but it was nowhere near the size needed for the cost of a new building. The house on Oxford Street was not ideally large, but it was adequate for the time being. As in Toronto, this led to a chapter with a large proportion of townsmen. That was nothing new after all the years of no house at all. For the first time since 1942, the chapter was comfortably settled into a place it could call its own. That sense of stability helped Delta Alpha to grow from strength to strength during the next few years. In 1957, the chapter not only came in first place in scholastics (yet again) among fraternities on the Western Ontario campus, but also came in second place among all Beta chapters, with only MIT scoring higher. Delta Alpha had never soared to such academic heights before! All this time, Delta Alpha had been slowly but steadily diversifying its base of membership away from the original core of honours science students. The loss of common academic interests had obviously (and fortunately) not led to a corresponding loss of academic achievement. An amusing confirmation of the chapter’s high quality came in the annual district chief ’s report for 1957. District Chief H. Pearce “Pete” Atkins, Cornell ’36, wrote: My excellent impression of the chapter received its real confirmation, however, while I was driving home with my family from the latest visit to Western Ontario. Perhaps she is a little young to have made such a decision, but I could understand her reasons when my five year old daughter, Betty, solemnly announced it as her intention to marry a Beta — a Beta from Western.
The chapter continued with its winning ways. In 1959, Delta Alpha hosted the annual District IV conclave, and was highly commended for its organization of this two-day event. This gathering of chapters was a major highlight of the school year because of the awards presentation. There were special awards for various
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areas of chapter operations, as well as an award for the outstanding chapter of the year in the district. The chief ’s report is short and to the point: The Chapter was all one could ask as hosts, except for the fact that Delta Alpha also carried off all the honours of the District for various types of achievement during the previous year.
One suspects that the representatives of Cornell, Syracuse and Toronto, travelling home from that conclave empty-handed, might have used slightly stronger language! In short, Delta Alpha in the 1950s appeared to be an entirely ideal chapter, with all the bases thoroughly covered at all times. In fact, skeptical humans might have wondered where the chink in the armour lay hidden. It finally began to appear in the early 1960s. As is so often the case, it showed up in an area that the chapter had begun to take for granted. Beginning in 1959, the chapter’s academic performance had begun to slip a little. The district chief ’s 1960 report stated that the chapter had slipped for two years running, but not to a major extent. Neither the chief nor the dean of men was overly concerned, but perhaps they should have been (an easy comment to make with the advantage of 20-20 hindsight). On several occasions in 1962 and 1963 the chapter published reports in The Beta Theta Pi reiterating its intention to do something about the downward trend in the chapters academic results. Could it really have been such a “severe shock,” then, when the chapter finished the 1963-64 college year in seventh place out of nine fraternities, and barely ahead of the all-men’s average? The answer is, of course, both yes and no. The writing had certainly been on the wall for a few years. All the signs showed that Western Ontario was getting a bit too lax on standards, and perhaps not taking as much care with pledge selection as had been the tradition for 30 years running. At the same time, human nature being what it is, the men who inherited a long and proud tradition of excellence would want to believe that they were on the way back to academic pre-eminence instead of continuing to fall away from it. Finally, it’s often impossible to judge one’s real standing in a course until it’s too late, with the last few weeks of the year often bringing a major essay and final exam that together weigh more (sometimes much more) than 50% of the total grade!
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Whatever the truth of the matter (and none of the preceding is meant to excuse what went wrong), the scholastic performance did recover in time, and Delta Alpha’s on-campus reputation remained high, if not quite as brilliant as before. On November 17, 1962, the Delta Alpha Chapter celebrated its 10th anniversary. In a pattern that might well be followed by other chapters celebrating similar events, the chapter and alumni arranged a Founders’ Day meeting separate from the formal banquet. The meeting featured a keynote address by General Fraternity Vice President Paul Van Riper, DePauw ’37 (formerly the district chief ), and a reminiscence by Chapter Counsellor William McMurray, Western Ontario ’53, who had been chapter president at the time of the chartering. After the Founders’ Day meeting, the formal banquet could be limited to a short and lively program of lighter speeches, toasts and presentations, leaving ample time for singing and dancing.
Founding brothers at the 10th anniversary. Duncan McLarty appears second from the left and William McMurray at far right.
One of these presentations was especially emotional. Mrs. Olive “Mom” Munday had served the chapter as housemother ever since the move into the rented house at Huron College 10 years earlier. The chapter and alumni decided to give her a Beta pin, and this was presented at the banquet by Robert McClelland, Western Ontario ’55, to great applause. Obviously, “Mom” Munday held a place in the heart of Delta Alpha similar to that of “Mrs. Mac” in Toronto. As the report in The Beta Theta Pi put it: The presentation brought tears to the eyes of many Betas who will always remember Mom’s ready wit, ever present smile, and uncanny ability to remember the name of every brother.
All this time, the world outside the Beta house was not standing still. That was especially true of Oxford Street, which was rapidly evolving. In place of a tree-lined street of older houses, Oxford Street was turning into a commercial — 199 —
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thoroughfare of multi-storey office buildings. By 1964, the Beta house was the only residence left on its immediate stretch of the street. At the same time, the need for major renovations to the house was becoming more and more pressing, and could no longer be deferred.
Presentation of the pin to Mrs. Olive “Mom” Munday at the Tenth Anniversary
The choices the chapter members faced were not easy. They could renovate and stay where they were, facing the prospect of being surrounded by office blocks. Or they could sell and try to find a desirable property in another area.
Any renovations would not increase the sale value of the house, since its only likely buyers would want to bulldoze it to make room for new office construction. Because of this, the decision to sell was made in 1964. Before deciding, the chapter and the alumni of the house corporation had considered all the angles carefully for several years. The property was valued at $21,000, but the corporation decided to list at $25,000. After several months, the owner of an adjacent property began to show interest, as did another developer, and between them they bid the price up to the full asking amount. The sale agreement was drawn up during the summer of 1964 and took effect on September 1.
Meanwhile, another house had already been located at 304 Princess Avenue. There was a bit of a scramble to locate a new house in time, but a blitz effort of all the real estate agents and investigation of all streets in the area produced this result. Although priced almost 50% higher than the Oxford Street property, this house was considered a good value at the price. It was within the means of the chapter and corporation simply by assuming the existing mortgages on the house. The letter sent to General Secretary Paul Van Riper by Chapter President W. Brock Fuller, Western Ontario ’65, explains all the financial angles in great detail. The Beta chapter believed that, within 10 to 20 years, the University might be acquiring a large block of land for expansion, and might be prepared to make some of that land available for construction of fraternity housing on campus.
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For this reason, the Delta Alpha Housing Corporation and chapter did not want to spend their hardearned cash on construction of a purpose-built house in a midtown location. The house on Princess Avenue was selected partly with a view to resale at a good price one or two decades down the road, and was in an area expected to be commercialized as Oxford Street had been. Chapter house at 304 Princess Avenue, purchased in 1964
None of these predictions have come true. The University did expand, but none of the land was made available to fraternities. Princess Avenue and the surrounding streets have shifted to commercial land use, but in a new pattern where professional firms have renovated dignified old houses to create characterful office spaces. And the Betas remained at 304 Princess Avenue for more than 40 years! The chapter moved into its new and latest home in September 1964. Like many another Beta house, it needed a certain amount of work to be fully fitted for its new users. That work was soon under way. By the time the 1964-65 school year was half-finished, more than $13,000 worth of repair and renovation work had already taken place. This included $5,000 of work on the basement, formerly largely unfinished. One end wall of the large recreation room in the basement was left unfinished, exposing the stone used in construction of the foundations. The new house was an important step for the brothers of Delta Alpha. The condition of 266 Oxford Street had become such that the chapter was having real difficulty securing top-ranked pledges. The pride of the chapter in its own work was suffering as well. With a sparkling clean new house, the men grew proud of the chapter once again. As in former days, high quality men were attracted to join Delta Alpha. Throughout the four decades after this purchase, the house on Princess Avenue returned many times its value in benefits to the Western Ontario chapter. One other thing the story of Delta Alpha proves about chapter houses. Compare the experiences of the chapter in the 1940s when there was no house with the
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experiences of the early 1960s when 266 Oxford Street was running down. One can’t help concluding that a chapter which is strong in other ways is probably better off with no house than with a decrepit or otherwise substandard one!
Interior view of a study room at 304 Princess Avenue in 1965
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Beta Life in London Even a quick look through the histories of the seven Canadian Beta
chapters shows that the seven universities involved are not all alike! Each of these schools has had its own distinctive character from the beginning, and each of them has also passed through a steady evolution. In each case, the evolution has led to parallel evolution in the Beta chapters located at the school. In the case of Western Ontario, this evolution gradually distanced the chapter from its senior sister and original sponsor, Toronto. These changes took place over a period of many years, certainly not overnight. In the 1960s, Western Ontario still had more in common with Toronto than with most American chapters. The two chapters remained friendly, but it was the sort of friendship that didn’t preclude rivalry.
The 1965 District Conclave saw a hotly-contested race for the various trophies and awards given. It ended with Western Ontario winning all the awards with but one exception — scholarship. This remained for many years the one weak link in what was otherwise an excellent chapter. For the 1964-65 school year, Delta Alpha held its position above the all-men’s average, but was only able to pull a third place ranking among fraternities. This fact must have concerned alumni who remembered the days when the old Kappa Tau Sigma held unchallenged academic supremacy. In 1966, District Chief Owen Williams, Toronto ’50, called for a less casual attitude toward scholarship to be a goal for the coming year. Nonetheless, marks continued to slip downward, although the chapter remained for the time being above the all-men’s average. The University of Western Ontario was not immune to the signs of the times. As at other campuses throughout North America, the very idea of “fraternities” was coming under attack. The response was a movement to make fraternities more — 203 —
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relevant, more useful to the larger society in which they functioned. In 1966, a special response arose from the IFC at Western Ontario. The fraternity and sorority groups collaborated on a “Greek Week” with a real difference. Instead of a round of inter-fraternity competitions and social events which comprise the usual Greek Week festivities, this one featured a week of public service projects of all sorts. The event generated tremendous positive press and media coverage, and the chapter made this assessment in The Beta Theta Pi: At a time when fraternities are being asked to justify their existence in the eyes of both the public and the academic community, a project such as this adds considerably to the prestige of the entire fraternal system. The fraternal idea seems to be waning on the Western Ontario campus, as it periodically does, and it is primarily through concerted efforts such as these that fraternities will demonstrate their usefulness and meaning to an uninitiated public, a public unable to comprehend the deeper aspects of fraternal fellowship.
This article captures two of the ongoing problems of Canadian Beta chapters: the regular up-and-down cycle of interest and the problem of explaining ourselves to an outside world with notions of fraternities that are mainly formed by movies and television. Another sign of the times was the campaign found on many campuses to place student representatives on university governing bodies. This campaign was led at Western Ontario by two Beta brothers, and it was one of them — Robert D. Weese, Western Ontario ’67 — who, in 1966, became the first student to sit on the University Senate. The chapter was experiencing financial problems due to small numbers. Overall, the membership remained almost as large as ever, but very few brothers were willing to live in the house, which was only half full. Considering that Delta Alpha was still carrying a mortgage which the district chief described as an “onerous burden,” this was definitely a worrisome situation. The brothers showed a unique demonstration of the Beta Spirit at the spring formal in 1967. Michael Wooding, Western Ontario ’67, had pinned Sandra Millar the year before in Vancouver. Unfortunately she was unable to afford the trip east to London for the Beta Ball. When the brothers realized this, they hatched a little plot to raise the cost of her ticket among themselves, fly her two thousand miles across Canada, and startle the living daylights out — 204 —
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of Brother Wooding. The plot worked perfectly as planned. Can one imagine any non-fraternal group doing as much for a friend? Perhaps, but it seems highly unlikely. By 1968, the anti-fraternity trend was causing real problems for several fraternities at Western Ontario. Beta Theta Pi did well enough in recruiting and pledging but some of the competition was close to extinction. Part of the problem was the virulent attack on fraternities mounted in the campus paper, The Gazette. In 1968, control passed to two new co-editors who had spent a year working hard to master all aspects of the paper and make themselves viable candidates for the job. Oh, yes, they also just happened to be Betas. In this way, a major source of negative publicity and misinformation was neutralized. In the 1990s, the McGill chapter would adopt the same tactic for the same reasons. Western Ontario, in common with all three Canadian chapters in the late 1960s, was seriously questioning the value of belonging to a largely American General Fraternity. This questioning arose in part from the growth all across the country of a new Canadian nationalism. This new attitude was rooted partly in the exhilaration of the Centennial celebrations and the Expo ’67 World’s Fair. Because of the strong American influence in Canada, this newfound Canadian nationalism often took the guise of anti-Americanism. The spillover into Beta Theta Pi seems to have been inevitable. The criticism of the General Fraternity’s actions was caused by something much bigger than the effect of those actions on the chapters. As always, the question arose most often among men whose activities in the Fraternity had given them no chance to meet their brothers from “across the line.” Once they did get such chances, it was often a very different story. In 1969, two brothers from the chapter attended the convention. As the chapter report to The Beta Theta Pi stated: They returned feeling that there is a tremendous amount to be gained in International Brotherhood. Both enthusiastically wish more people could attend, especially those who are unsure of the benefits of belonging to an international organization.
The General Fraternity certainly made efforts to respond to its critics. In the fall of 1969, General Secretary Burton W. Folsom, Nebraska ’49, paid an official visit to the Delta Alpha Chapter. At the 1970 General Convention, a workshop was held on the theme “Why Belong to a General Fraternity?” Concerns mentioned — 205 —
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by those chapters attending (not just the three from Canada) included distance, isolation, infrequent contact with General Fraternity representatives, and discontent with the material in The Beta Theta Pi. The representatives of the Delta Alpha Chapter at this workshop had some specific suggestions for the particular situation in Canada. They put forward the perennial suggestion of more chapters in Canada. They also made what seems to be the first public suggestion that the Fraternity should establish a separate Canadian business office to deal with matters affecting the Canadian chapters. These ideas and comments received an interesting response from Barry G. McDell, British Columbia ’65, chief of District XXXI. McDell stated that the Fraternity is an emotional experience which can’t be seen only in terms of material benefits received from funds paid to the General Fraternity. He also stated that the Beta Spirit and ideals are the paramount reasons for joining the ranks of the Fraternity. While there is nothing in what McDell said to which anyone could take exception, he does seem to have sidestepped the issues at hand. His response (as reported) comes perilously close to a brush-off. If this is the only answer the questioners got (and it seems to have been), then it’s hardly surprising that the relevance of the General Fraternity continued to be questioned. In 1972, the Board of Trustees mounted a major effort to show the skeptics that the General Fraternity was there to serve them as well. A serious attempt was made to start a colony at the University of Windsor, in response to Delta Alpha’s call for more Canadian chapters. To mount this colonizing drive, Ged Tillmann, Western Ontario ’71, transferred to Windsor to serve as colony organizer. The General Fraternity agreed to pay his tuition, room and board for a year. But times were not good on the Windsor campus for the existing fraternities. The University administration reported this to the Beta Administrative Office, and Tillman’s own survey of students at Windsor reached a similar conclusion. The project was therefore put on hold and has never been resumed. What was startling was that the Delta Alpha Chapter, having badgered the General Fraternity into action, now chose to ignore the results. District Chief Douglas Reid, Western Ontario ’58, put it this way in his year-end report to The Beta Theta Pi:
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It must be pointed out that the active membership in Delta Alpha was not overly supportive... This lack of support must make one ask, “What is Delta Alpha really looking for from the General Fraternity?”
Undoubtedly, Reid was not the only person who wanted an answer to that question. Even today, the disinterest from the chapter that spurred the whole discussion of Canadian expansion at this time seems peculiar, to say the least. In 1974 the District boundaries were re-drawn. Western Ontario was transferred into District XI, along with GMI, Michigan and Michigan State. Toronto remained in District IV along with Syracuse and Cornell. The relationship between Western Ontario and Toronto became more distant as a result. Meanwhile, the brothers of Delta Alpha were paying close attention to other matters as well. A report to The Beta Theta Pi in January 1970 mentioned that the men were making serious efforts to draw a large pledge class to offset the number of men who were graduating. The report continued in a more humorous vein: Diamonds have also been taking a heavy toll. So far in 1969 (six) brothers... have exchanged their life savings for their life spendings.
And, after a detailed rundown of sports, social events and brothers’ travel plans for the summer, the report ended with the memorable words: We also attend lectures and coffee breaks.
A brother of Delta Alpha scored a signal victory for the campus fraternity system in March 1971. The IFC sponsored a symposium on new recruiting practices, an event which was organized and chaired by Steven Peirone, Western Ontario ’71. Following this event, and the decisions taken at it by the member groups, the University decided to allow recruitment of freshmen for the first time. The chapter acknowledged with thanks the hard work and devotion to fraternal affairs shown by Brother Peirone. It seemed ironic that, in the same year this policy took effect, Delta Alpha had a weaker recruitment than usual. What was at work here was, of course, the ongoing wave of anti-fraternity sentiment that troubled so many universities across North America. Financial problems due to the size of the mortgage became — 207 —
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even more troubling. As the 1970s went on, Delta Alpha began to recover from these difficulties. Doubts about the relationship with the General Fraternity were shelved, or quietly moved to the back burner. The chapter size slowly increased, and with that growth, finances became more secure. The chapter received a double shock at the meeting on the night of October 26, 1975. The brothers arrived to be met with the news that Donald Louis Pollock, Western Ontario ’77, was killed in a motorcycle accident en route to the meeting. As the men struggled to come to grips with this tragedy, the chapter president was forced to reveal his decision to resign his office and withdraw from the University. The result was a highly emotional “Eye of Wooglin.” In 1977, the chapter proudly noted the arrival of its first legacy of a Delta Alpha brother whose son now joined the chapter. The proud father was Chapter Counsellor, John M. “Jack” Geddes, Western Ontario ’54, Toronto ’55, who would shortly become district chief. The legacy was John Geddes Jr., Western Ontario ’79. One of the keynotes of the 1970s for fraternities was the growth of all kinds of public service and philanthropic projects as an integral part of chapter life. The brothers of Western Ontario were able to feel a personal identification with their big philanthropy, as it was inspired by one of their own. At this time, various kinds of marathon contests were popular methods of raising funds for worthy causes. At the University of Western Ontario, the yearly event was a dance marathon called the “Danceathon” to raise money for the Multiple Sclerosis Society. First prize for the group bringing in the largest amount of money was a trophy bearing the name of Carl Park, Western Ontario ’74, who had multiple sclerosis. From the first year of the Danceathon, the Western Ontario Betas made a point of winning the Carl Park trophy every year, bringing in large sums of money for a cause that touched the chapter personally. Carl was a familiar, liked and respected face in the Beta chapter, as the results of successive Danceathons clearly showed. When the chapter won the trophy for the fourth successive time, the article sent to The Beta Theta Pi proudly noted that fact, and then wryly added:
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With this renewed success, the brothers at Delta Alpha are hoping that by the time of the 6th annual danceathon they will have learned how to dance.
As well as in philanthropy and public service, the Betas continued to make a strong showing in intramural sports. In 1976, the Beta Dragons hockey team won the IFC hockey championship, and not for the first time. The difference was that somebody made sure to send a photograph of this winning team to The Beta Theta Pi for publication! Another popular activity with chapter members was their yearly feat of organizing the Springbank Games for the frosh of the university. This was a regular feature of the chapter’s life for years. The big event of the 1977-78 school year was the chapter’s 25th anniversary celebration. In the fall of 1977, an article in The Beta Theta Pi prepared Beta’s Broad Domain for this event by reviewing the chapter’s already proud history, and discussing the present-day nature of the chapter. The 1976 IFC championship hockey team, The Beta Dragons
The anniversary ball was held on March 18, 1978, and was attended
Two groups of Beta managers at the Springbank Games, in 1981 and 1984
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by chapter alumni and guests. At this important event, the General Fraternity was represented by President James Martin, Davidson ’57, Administrative Secretary Jonathan Brant, Miami ’75, and Archivist H. H. Stephenson, Miami ’39. The event was most successfully organized by Richard Mignault, Western Ontario ’79. Soon after this anniversary, the chapter began to experience money problems. The cause was an event beyond the chapter’s control, which affected all Canadian chapters at this time. In the late 1970s, Canada and many other countries decided to “unlock” their official rates of exchange and allow their currencies to “float” freely in value on open currency markets. The result was that the Canadian dollar, valued for years at US$0.925, began to drop rapidly. As the dollar dropped below US$0.80, the Canadian chapters found themselves struggling to pay their bills. The problem was, of course, that all bills owed to the General Fraternity (such as pledge and initiation fees) had to be paid in U.S. dollars. As the exchange rate plunged sharply downward, becoming a Beta in a Canadian chapter suddenly got much costlier. However, summer job wages did not rise correspondingly. This fact had a chilling effect on recruitment. The issue was studied, but no definite action was taken at this time by the General Fraternity. Relations between the General Fraternity and the three Canadian chapters, which had been warming up somewhat, grew cool again. In 1980, the Delta Alpha Corporation was faced with the need to do something about the house. The question of possible replacement with another house in the area had been carefully considered, and finally shelved. That decided, there was a definite need for major renovations at 304 Princess Avenue. A sum of $25,000 was raised, and a great deal of work, both necessary and desirable, was done. An interesting new addition to the chapter was reported to The Beta Theta Pi in fall 1983: We now have a little Beta dragon to guard the house against the sorority raids. The Beta Dogology, Hercules, is not much of a menace, but who can have time for raiding if they are playing with a puppy?
The chapter suffered a sad loss in August 1983 with the sudden death of Jack Geddes, Western Ontario ’54, Toronto ’55. He died at home two nights after the end of that year’s General Convention, the last one held at the Grand — 210 —
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Hotel on Mackinac Island. Jack had served well for many years, first as chapter counsellor and more recently as district chief. He had long been known as one of the great enthusiasts for the expansion of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. At his funeral, the eulogy was given by the new General Secretary B. Hume Morris, Centre ’68, a long-time friend of Jack’s. The chapter sent a note of condolence to Ann Marie Geddes and her family, and received a heartfelt thank you letter in reply. A view of the house at 304 Princess Avenue in the 1970s
Two brothers of Delta Alpha chapter made history in 1985. David Peterson, Western Ontario ’64, was elected premier of Ontario, the first Beta brother to enter a premiership. Beta brothers everywhere were proud of Peterson’s achievement. Upon graduating that spring, Michael Gates, Western Ontario ’85, joined the staff of Beta Theta Pi’s administrative office in Oxford as administrative assistant. He was the first Canadian brother ever to serve on the professional staff of the Oxford office. The Western Ontario chapter came to the attention of all of Beta’s Broad Domain on the front cover of the fall 1986 issue of The Beta Theta Pi. The cover story highlighted what was believed to be a unique situation: the chapter included four brothers from the same family at once! David Corbeth, Western Ontario ’86, Robert Corbeth, Western Ontario ’87, Michael Corbeth, Western Ontario ’88, and Neville Corbeth, Western Ontario ’88, all wound up in the Beta chapter at the same time through some odd coincidences of the times that each chose to enter the university. The really intriguing angle on the story was that their mother Marijke was there as well — as cook and housemother. Thus, readers of the magazine were treated to the rare spectacle of five members of the same family, all active in the same chapter house at the same time! The cover photo, duly framed, proudly hung in the chapter hall at Delta Alpha. In 1986, it seemed as though Delta Alpha Chapter had reached a peak of excellence. The chapter’s numbers and quality were high. At the convention that year, the Western Ontario chapter won a Sisson Award, a Service Project Award,
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The cover of the Fall 1986 issue of The Beta Theta Pi
Also from the Fall 1986 issue, the Corbeth family shown on the front porch of the house
and the Jack Geddes Memorial Trophy (given to the best chapter in Canada). It was an enviable record of achievement. At the time, it must have seemed that Delta Alpha was destined to go on to even greater heights. Sadly, that was not to be. The reasons had much to do with a deep and fundamental change in the character of the University’s student body. An alumnus of Western Ontario in the 1950s would hardly recognize the school today. Not only physical changes to the campus, but also changes to the social and intellectual character of the school — and its students — are legion. This is true of all universities, of course. What is particular to this case is the way that the University of Western Ontario gradually evolved into the “compleat party school,” with social activities occupying an ever-higher place in the priorities of the vast majority of students. Naturally, the Beta chapter was not immune to this trend. At the same time, the average income of Western Ontario students was rising dramatically, certainly much faster than the income of the university student population of Canada as a whole. We don’t know who first coined the phrase “Country Club U,” but by 1990, it seemed to describe perfectly the social and economic profile of so many students at this university in particular. That social and economic profile would become a definite factor in the troubles that were to beset the chapter more and more from 1987 onward. — 212 —
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Crisis Management at Country Club U. The last two decades of the life of Delta Alpha seem, in retrospect, to be a
20-year roller coaster ride. From 1987 onward, the chapter was swooping in and out of one crisis or near-crisis after another. Where one might go astray would be in regarding this purely as a problem of the last 20 years. The seeds of the difficulties were actually sown much earlier than the mid-1980s. One of the first signs of impending trouble was a growing neglect of the chapter’s alumni. It would be impossible to say exactly when this began to set in, but by the late 1980s, there was an established pattern. Alumni who were more than five years or so past graduation would only come to events organized by other alumni. With a very few exceptions, they would not come to events organized by the chapter. As time went on, this developed into a further pattern of the chapter choosing to ignore advice given by alumni advisors. Since no person in such a situation really likes being ignored, the advisor positions became a bit like a revolving door, as one alumnus after another received the silent treatment and then gave up on the chapter. The relationship between the active chapter and the housing corporation deteriorated into acrimony, and remained that way without much interruption. Finances also became a looming problem. In several years, the chapter had to fight its way out of severe deficits. A good year would follow, with debts under control and the chapter living within its means. Then the cycle would be repeated. There was a great deal of negative press about fraternities. The presidents of the various chapters on the Western Ontario campus set up a presidents’ council in 1988 to deal directly with the media and community relations, bypassing the existing IFC. It seemed like an odd way to approach the problem. Given — 213 —
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that huge noisy parties had become a central fact of student life in general, and Greek life in particular, one can’t help wondering how much of the negative press may have been justified. Certainly, there were large numbers of complaints from the neighbours about noisy goings-on at the Beta house. In the chapter’s current frame of mind, it was easier for the brothers to deal with this problem by muttering abusive remarks about the neighbours among themselves than by addressing the noise issue squarely. The house itself didn’t fare much better. A lovely old residence with hardwood floors and oak wainscot can come off second-best in a contest with youthful exuberance! A particular victim was the long line of turned wooden spindles supporting the banister on the main staircase. It became a standing joke to ask, on entering the chapter house, “How many spindles are missing this time?” When one looked behind the joke, though, the attitude toward the house which it represented was not funny. The worst side of this situation was that much of the damage was done by the chapter members themselves, in fits of drunken exuberance. Delta Alpha became careless about its responsibilities. Dues and fees were paid, but often at the last minute — or later. Reports due to the General Fraternity were often not sent. Annual scholarship reports were among the favourites to be forgotten or ignored. Granted, the University of Western Ontario, like all the Eastern Canadian universities where Beta has chapters, refuses to release the grades to the Fraternity. It isn’t easy to submit the scholarship report when each brother’s grades have to be individually collected, but it can be done. Difficult is not the same as impossible. A particularly nasty case of this kind of fiscal carelessness occurred in the spring of 1989. The annual Beta Ball in that year was well-attended, as always, but many of the brothers who attended never paid for their tickets. The man left holding the bag was the brother who had organized the formal affair and contracted with the catering company, John Duke, Western Ontario ’89. In 1996, the catering company won a judgment of the full amount due plus costs. Duke raised the money to pay the debt in full, but took an assignment of the judgment, which meant that the amounts due were now payable to him. It certainly argued poorly for the level of responsibility which the brothers at Western Ontario took upon themselves toward their fraternal obligations. — 214 —
University of Western Ontario Chapter
Delta Alpha’s greatest enemy in those years was complacency. The Betas had been the number one fraternity on the campus almost without a lapse since the chartering in 1952. More and more, the men let themselves forget that a number one position has to be earned afresh every year. It can’t be taken for granted; number two is always there at your heels, ready to try to snatch the number one spot away from you. Much of this was forgotten. In chapter meetings, it continued to be customary to refer to the “best chapter” or the “top chapter” on the campus, even when such reference became not only questionable but patently untrue. The situation took on the air of a latter-day Jekyll and Hyde story. Now there were almost two separate Beta chapters in London: the fine chapter that the Betas saw in themselves, and the considerably less noteworthy and more notorious group that others on campus saw — and spoke about. Part of the problem was that the chapter measured its strength largely by the number of people attending its parties. Such annual functions as the famous “Freddie Fuddpucker” drew huge crowds. What the chapter apparently never realized was that people would come to their parties, drink their beer and then criticize the Betas behind their backs as a crew of drunken boors. It was also easy for the Beta brothers at Delta Alpha to be misled about their relative standing and the quality of the chapter, because the brotherhood continued to be close-knit and spent much time together. When the roof finally did fall in, it opened up a rare opportunity to address these festering problems. Paradoxically, the cause of the chapter’s largest crisis ever was not an issue of finances, or reports, or even of noisy parties. One night in March 1989, a Beta pledge was found tied up on campus. He had been A group of brothers gather on the stairs for some Beta singing, 1984. put there as part of what former generations would have called a “prank” or “caper.” It’s the kind of activity defined today as “hazing.” — 215 —
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Word spread quickly to the University administration, and from there to Oxford. Back from General Secretary B. Hume Morris, Centre ’68, came the word that the chapter’s charter was to be suspended. District Chief Jim Mignault, Western Ontario ’83, moved quickly to carry out these orders, and promptly walked into a hornet’s nest. The reaction of the brothers was one of sheer outrage. They gave Mignault the full treatment with both barrels. He was taunted and insulted loudly and repeatedly by the chapter. Mignault was later to call the night he had to suspend Western Ontario’s charter one of the worst experiences of his life. As well as their treatment of the district chief, the brothers turned in a rage against the General Fraternity. The attitude might well have been summed up in the words, “We’re the best fraternity on the campus — how dare they do this to us?” Their excuse that this kind of prank had been going on for years didn’t cut any ice with the Fraternity’s leaders either. General Secretary Morris sent word that he expected to meet a delegation of men from Delta Alpha when he came to Montreal, two weeks hence, for the installation of the Epsilon Nu Chapter at McGill University. They were to bring with them a draft document of a totally revised pledging and initiation program. Picture of the active chapter on the front porch in 1982. Future District Chief Jim Mignault appears at top right, in front of the white pillars.
When that memorable meeting convened in a room of the Queen Elizabeth Hotel after McGill’s Installation Banquet, the delegation proved to be one man, recently initiated, who knew little enough about the operations of the chapter as a whole. The draft document proved to be a watered-down version of the old program, still filled with hazing practices of all kinds. It was only too clear that the men of the chapter were still trapped in the “drinking and partying” model of fraternal life. The lone delegate was given some very clear marching orders. The chapter was to appear that summer at the General Convention in greater numbers and with much more detailed future plans, or it would be closed for good. — 216 —
University of Western Ontario Chapter
Shortly before the convention, on July 22, 1990, Duncan McLarty, Western Ontario ’54, passed away. Brother McLarty had been one of the founders of Kappa Tau Sigma, number two on its roll. He had been the senior man signing the rolls of Beta Theta Pi at the Installation of the Delta Alpha Chapter in 1952. He had served as the first chapter counsellor of Delta Alpha and then continued on for many years as the academic advisor. He would be greatly missed. Each of the three senior chapters of Beta Theta Pi in Canada has had its “grand old man,” the elder Beta whose career dated back to the chapter’s founding. In Toronto, there was Beverly Hannah. In British Columbia, it was Gordon Burke. At Western Ontario, Duncan McLarty was the man. Each of these special brothers continued his official services to his chapter for many years, right up to the time of his passing. Each was deeply mourned. Duncan McLarty was the last of these distinguished Beta brothers to answer the roll call in the Chapter Eternal. His passing truly marked the end of an era in Canadian Beta life. When the time came for the convention, the chapter did appear with a sizable group of men and a much more detailed plan for all aspects of the coming year. This new plan included emphasis on improving chapter scholarship as well as the total reconstruction of the recruitment and pledging programs. The presentation to the chapter review committee got about as positive a result as could be hoped for under the circumstances. This chapter needed to do a great deal of work in many areas of its operations, so the suspension was allowed to stand. At the same time, the committee was impressed by the earnest desire of the Western Ontario Betas to reform, to improve, to do whatever was necessary to get their charter back. If there was any suspicion that this was all just talk, the chapter had already moved to back up its words with actions. For the first time in several years, the chapter’s finances were fully in order, and no outstanding amount was due to the General Fraternity. Also, all year-end reports had been submitted on time, for the first time in many years. It was a promising new start. Another most promising sign was the improved relationship between the chapter executive and District Chief Jim Mignault. During the time of the suspension, Mignault spent many hours on the road between Toronto and London to bring first-hand assistance and advice to the chapter. In contrast with his reception on the night the charter was removed, Mignault was now welcomed and his advice was carefully considered. — 217 —
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The good performance by Delta Alpha at this convention wasn’t just a flash in the pan. It was repeated the next year, and this was recognized at the convention in 1991. At that time, Jim Mignault was able to make a speech in which he not only congratulated the Western Ontario Betas on their progress, but also returned their charter to the exultant president of the chapter. Another sign of the high quality of work done at Delta Alpha was the appointment of the past president, William Logie, Western Ontario ’91, to the position of chapter management consultant with the General Fraternity. Because of his strong facial resemblance to a certain Hollywood celebrity, Betas in many parts of North America became familiar with his greeting: “Hi, my name is Bill Logie, and I’m not Mark Harmon.” Bill Logie became the second brother from a Canadian chapter to serve on the staff of the Administrative Office, and the second from Delta Alpha. Then, in 1992, the chapter’s delegation to the General Convention heard the good news that their chapter had been restored to good standing in the Fraternity, after a year on Review status. This great news set the men up for the next and very memorable event in the chapter’s life. Traditionally, the Delta Alpha Chapter had always climaxed its social season with a formal Beta Ball in March. In October 1992, though, the formal ball was held at homecoming instead, as a celebration of 40 years of Beta Theta Pi at the University of Western Ontario. This celebration was organized by alumni working in consultation with members of the active chapter. Long in the planning, it was a huge success in every way. The festivities started with a casual lunch on Friday, and then on Friday evening followed the Olde Phartz dinner for all brothers with double digit roll numbers. A brunch was held at the chapter house on Saturday before the annual homecoming game. And then, on Saturday evening, the weekend reached its peak with the formal anniversary banquet at the Radisson Hotel. More than 300 Betas attended the banquet, including Paul Van Riper, DePauw ’37. It was a big evening for Van Riper who had been district chief at the time Delta Alpha was chartered, and again at a later date, and then went on to become General Secretary. Through all this time, he had maintained a special place in his heart for Delta Alpha, and now was pleased to return to London. If all that were not enough, Paul Van Riper also won the “Beta countdown” after the banquet, for
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The Olde Phartz group at the 40th anniversary
the longest number of years as a Beta of all those in attendance. This distinction earned him a big round of applause! In fact, there was only one slight glitch in this long-planned event, and not a foreseeable one. The anniversary banquet happened to coincide with the final game of that year’s World Series, the first Series ever won by the Toronto Blue Jays. As soon as the formal program ended, most of the revellers deserted the banquet room, leaving the band to play to an empty house. The party moved instead into the bar and into numerous guest rooms of the hotel for the obvious reason. It had not proved possible to bring one or more TV sets into the Paul van Riper and Bill McMurray at the 40th banquet room on short notice! The fact that anniversary the Blue Jays won the game (and the Series) only added to the excitement surrounding this event. For a little while after the anniversary, things appeared to be going well, but then all the signs of trouble gradually began to appear again. The weakening of alumni contacts, the financial problems, the missed reports, the damage to the house, all recurred. And there was a new problem to add to the list: presidential burnout.
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During the two years of the charter suspension, the chapter presidents had worked heroically to rebuild the chapter, and to a large extent, they had succeeded. What no one realized until later was that they had, in doing so, set a dangerous precedent. It’s certainly true that a president has to lead the chapter, but this mustn’t be allowed to translate into “the president does all the work.” During the suspension years, the chapter made great strides without everyone having to work for the achievement. Many men found out that it was possible to enjoy all the benefits of Delta Alpha membership without having to work for them, because someone else would always do the work. Far too often that someone else was the chapter president. What about those who weren’t doing the work? It became a truism that these men would only show up for the parties — not for the set-up and most definitely not for the clean-up, just for the parties! Far too many of these “ghost Betas” existed during the early 1990s. In any given year, only about 50 percent of the members could be counted on to attend meetings and take an active hand in the operation of the chapter. The chapter members as a whole lacked the will to face this issue squarely and deal with it. They seemed to feel that their “number one” status depended on having large pledge classes, even when many of the men thus pledged never carried their weight in the chapter. Again, all the work which the slackers weren’t doing devolved onto the president. Few men could stand up to the strain of this growing workload while in their senior year, with all that implies. Presidential burnout resulted in more than one case. It’s doubtful if the men who were causing this problem by their lack of commitment knew what stress they left in their wake. The men who served as president, one and all, had “the right stuff.” They struggled hard to live up to the expectations of the chapter and mostly refrained from complaining. Even when they did get tired and sound off, it was the men who were coming around to help who had to listen. The slackers never heard. As the president’s job got bigger and bigger, it became harder and harder to find anyone interested in filling it, and no wonder. Where once the presidential seat had been keenly contested in elections, it now became a case of pulling teeth to get one man to let his name stand. In one memorable year, no one came forward, and the election of the president had to be deferred until the fall. For a period of several months, there actually was no president at all.
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University of Western Ontario Chapter
Each of the men who tried to fill this impossible role gave it a genuine effort. It just could not be done. In no way can a modern fraternity chapter be run by one person, or even by three or four. It requires the fullest possible effort from every available member. “Mutual assistance” is a basic part of the Beta Principles, and a fundamental root of the Beta experience. Far too many of the men who wore the badge and bore the name in London allowed themselves to forget this fact. District Chief Jim Mignault, Western Ontario ’83, tried hard to ease this situation. As he had done ever since the suspension, he worked as closely as possible with the presidents and their executives. By this time, he had even changed jobs, moving from Toronto to London, partly to be closer to the chapter in the District that most needed help. He arranged for new members on the board of the Delta Alpha Corporation, hoping that a more active house corporation might make up for a lack of more widespread alumni support. To make matters worse, the chapter was bedevilled by the same decline in numbers of new initiates as all other Canadian chapters. The financial problem of the exchange rate was at work here, but so was the declining reputation of Beta Theta Pi as a top quality fraternity at Western Ontario. The brothers might still refer to themselves as “number one” on the campus, but few outsiders would agree. By the end of the 1994-95 school year, the Delta Alpha Chapter was once again under threat of suspension, this time because of the General Fraternity’s stringent new standard operating procedure for financially delinquent chapters. The up-and-down performance of the chapter continued along these lines. Delta Alpha had its good years and its bad, but any permanent progress seemed elusive. One thing certainly seems clear. Having a strongly academic school such as the University of Western Ontario turn into a party school like “Country Club U.” is certain to make life tough for the Beta chapter caught up in the change.
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The End of the Line In the end, of course, the problems of Delta Alpha finally caught up with the
chapter, and it had to be closed. The way those final events unfolded, though, came as a great shock to many of the men who remembered the chapter’s earlier and prouder days. In March 1994, management consultant Conrad Hametner, Texas A&M ’92 made an official visit. His report pulled no punches. “The product which the chapter must sell is the brotherhood, the alumni network and the academics. The chapter must realize that the new student population is not looking for parties. The new students are concerned about the job market and doing well enough in school to get a job.” These blunt statements were then followed by a lengthy and detailed list of suggestions and ideas for every officer in every department of the chapter’s operations. The list strongly suggests that Hametner’s overview was accurate, and that the chapter was not doing anything much except holding parties. His next visit report in November 1994 wasn’t any friendlier and cut even closer to the bone. “The interior of the house has been disintegrated by years of neglect and giant parties. The kitchen is horrifying and should be condemned. Additionally the basement/chapter room is also in deplorable condition. The chapter has a lack of furniture and the furniture which does exist is filthy.” Official visit reports had traditionally been tactful in language when addressing shortcomings of chapters. This kind of hard-hitting language was exceptional, and clearly points out the desperate condition of the chapter house. The basic problem was that the chapter house was seen, by Betas and non-Betas alike, not as a true chapter house but as a party headquarters. The dominance — 223 —
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of social life over all other aspects of university existence at the University of Western Ontario was pushing Delta Alpha closer and closer to the brink. Another sign of this growing irresponsibility was the chapter’s debt to the General Fraternity, which by 1998 had ballooned to more than $10,000. While this was higher than the debt loads incurred by some other Canadian chapters, Delta Alpha also had a much larger active membership whose dues should have gone to pay those debts before being used for other purposes. By the year 2000, little progress had been made in paying down the debt. Barrie Martland, Western Ontario ’62, sent a letter to all alumni of the chapter, asking their help in making donations to clear the debt. He wrote: “Initiation fees weren’t paid. Dues weren’t paid. Rents weren’t paid. Money went missing. The Loving Cup went missing. Other silver went missing. Memorabilia, including the pin of Nelson Hart, Delta Alpha’s first inductee in Beta Theta Pi, went missing. Even the damned piano and the dining room table went missing. All this happened over several years and there’s not much to be gained by pointing fingers.” In 2002, Paul Romanson, Western Ontario ’72, sent the annual report of Delta Alpha Chapter (London) Inc. to the archives. This report detailed the “repulsive” condition of much of the house in its public areas especially. Included in it were these statements of policy which the corporation imposed upon the chapter: “No open parties; no parties allowed with doors and windows blocked and sealed; no smoking in the chapter house, no keg beer at social functions.” Generally, the corporation was taking a much harder line, and much more direct control of the house and its use. Romanson went on to draw attention to another serious issue which seriously undermined the credibility of the chapter. Philanthropic activity is a major required duty of all Beta chapters. During the 2000-2001 school year, the chapter had reported that it raised and donated considerable sums of money to the Canadian Cancer Society. Romanson wrote, “I would also like to discuss the issue concerning the active chapter and the ‘mystery monies’ that it said it gave to the Canadian Cancer Society in the school year 2000-2001. The Canadian Cancer society has been contacted by myself in December 2001, and said that there is absolutely no record of any donated monies from the Delta Alpha Chapter as was mentioned in the last two issues of the Beta Theta Pi magazine.” In spite of all the negative events, the corporation bravely kept trying. To remedy the sad condition of the house, the corporation began a major program of — 224 —
University of Western Ontario Chapter
renovations in 2006. But the issues continued and grew. Events were now swiftly moving to the inevitable result. On January 31, 2007, the chapter was downgraded by the General Fraternity from good status to warning status. Within a week, more risk management violations occurred. A conference call of advisors, alumni and undergraduates with representatives of the General Fraternity was held on February 13, and an action plan for the chapter was developed. And yet, not two months later, more risk management violations took place. The chapter was suspended and a detailed list of 13 directives was imposed, with compliance to all 13 of them to be certified to and by the district chief. Meanwhile, only a year after the renovations were started, the corporation’s position was becoming untenable. It had become nearly impossible to attract anyone, Beta or otherwise, to live in the chapter house. In a 90-minute discussion on August 22, 2007, the corporation voted to sell the Princess Avenue property, with the legal requirement of 60 days notice to be given to all tenants. This left the chapter without a house, although in truth the building had long since ceased to have any value as a home for chapter members. By the end of September, only three of the 13 binding directives had been met. Regarding the others, there had been many promises and a great deal of positive talk from the chapter, but little if any substantive proof. For instance, a phone call had reported to the General Fraternity that there was a new pledge class of 20 pledges; no pledge cards were ever submitted to support that claim. Again, there was a fairly inexperienced brother serving as president, Mark Wellman, Western Ontario ’08. When he was the only executive officer to attend an officers’ retreat organized by Josh Machicek, Texas A&M-CC ’06 of the General Fraternity, the others were said to have stayed home due to apathy. The obvious fear in Oxford was that Wellman, like so many presidents of the chapter before him, was working virtually on his own. In December 2007, the Board of Trustees took the decision to close and disband the chapter. The final straw had been the failure of the officers to attend the retreat, which had been organized primarily for their benefit. In the letter sent to alumni of the chapter announcing the closure appeared this sentence: “To put it bluntly most members appeared to treat the Fraternity as a party centre and had limited interest in operating as a proper fraternity chapter....”
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Shortly after this, Bennett McBride, Western Ontario ’08, contacted the Administrative Office to enquire about a process for appealing the closure. He prepared an information package about steps that could be taken to ensure the future vitality of the chapter, and the role that he and his friends were prepared to play in that effort. This package was addressed to General Secretary Warner, and handed directly to him at the 2008 Convention by McBride. Warner decided to bring this appeal to the full Board of Trustees at its November meeting, and the issue was discussed there. After that meeting, General Fraternity President P. Thomas Purinton wrote to McBride and his associates to let them know that the appeal was dismissed and the closure would be allowed to stand. As in so many cases before, in both Canada and the United States, Beta Theta Pi was determined to allow sufficient time to elapse so that a restarted chapter could definitely become a fresh start, a truly new chapter. Purinton did reassure McBride that “…your continued dedication to establishing a principled chapter at the University of Western Ontario will be critical when the time comes to return Beta Theta Pi to London.” In September 2009, a meeting was convened by Regional Chief Scott Falconer, Western Ontario ’83, to assess alumni support for a restart of the chapter. At this meeting, Administrative Secretary Jud Horras, Iowa State ’97, and MacGregor Hill, William & Mary ’04, gave a detailed presentation on what a Beta chapter needs to be in the 21st century. A vote to support a restart was taken after this presentation and those present at the meeting voted strongly in favour. A subsequent online poll among brothers not present was not as strongly supported, but still came in at two to one in favour. The alumni represented at the meeting were mostly those from the 1960s and earlier. District Chief Jeff Mores, Toronto ’97, wrote an evaluation of the results of the meeting in January 2010, and put his finger on the crux of the issue: the brothers from the 1960s had been asked to shoulder the burden too often. It would have to be the alumni from the 1970s and 1980s who would take up the running and provide the future leadership and advisory work that a restarted chapter would need. And there, at the time of writing, is where the matter rests. The University of Western Ontario is a significant educational institution in Ontario and Canada, and it is certainly desirable to have a chapter of Beta Theta Pi there. As with all the Beta chapters in Canada that have had to close, it’s to be hoped that a return to Western can happen sooner rather than later.
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PART V Brock Colony
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The Gallant Failure The Brock University Colony of Beta Theta Pi was a short-lived venture
in 1978 and 1979. It is unfortunate that this attempt to expand did not succeed. The long-delayed growth of Beta Theta Pi in Canada might have come about five or six years earlier if the Brock colony had worked out. The Brock story, however, is not just a story of failure. If it were, there would be little point in recounting it. This event is important because of the great dedication to Beta shown by those who attempted to colonize at Brock University. These men blazed a path for future colonization attempts. The lessons they learned, the hard way, could benefit future colonizers in Canada. Every pledge at Brock heard the poem The Bridge Builder. Maybe none of them realized that their role in the growth of Beta in Canada was to be precisely that of the old man in the poem who told the passer-by: He too must cross in the twilight dim, Good friend, I am building this bridge for him.
The story of Brock, then, has its sadness. But there is still room to be grateful that the Betas in the Brock venture, by their life and actions, added to the collective knowledge and experience of the Fraternity. Their experiences became an integral part of the Canadian expansion successes of the 1980s and 1990s. The bridges they built were successfully traversed by four new Beta chapters chartered in Canada during the next decade and-a-half. Brock University is located in St. Catharines, Ontario, a little more than an hour’s drive (on a good day) from Toronto, and quite close to Niagara Falls. It is a fairly new university, one of a number of schools created in the 1960s to — 229 —
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meet the demand for higher education among the members of the “baby boom” generation. Given its relatively short existence, Brock does not share the kinds of roots and traditions that mark most of Canada’s Beta campuses. By the late 1970s, all of these “new” universities were suffering from a strong case of financial indigestion. They carried large debt loads related to their rapid growth. Their student enrollment numbers declined as the members of the baby boom generation graduated and moved on. Brock was no exception. Given this problem, older and wiser heads might well have said that Brock was not the ideal location for a colonization attempt at this time. But young enthusiastic men often rush in where their elders fear to tread, and this was certainly the case at Brock. It has also been true of many of Beta’s other expansion ventures down through the years. Albert F. M. Engelhardt, Western Ontario ’75, provided the kick-off for Brock. From his home base in St. Catharines, he set out to spread the word about Beta on the Brock campus. He also arranged the assistance of his own chapter, Delta Alpha. By March 1978, Engelhardt had succeeded in pledging 12 men. This fledgling colony received strong support from the two district chiefs involved: James Kirkgasser, Syracuse ’55, in whose District IV the colony was located, and John M. “Jack” Geddes, Western Ontario ’54, Toronto ’55, whose District XI contained the sponsoring chapter. Another strong supporting role was played by Robert M. “Rob” McConnell, Toronto ’79, making his first but by no means his last appearance on the wider Beta stage. By the time the 1978 General Convention assembled, the number of pledges had already dropped to eight. Only one of the eight pledges, Daniel Mazor, appeared at the convention. Even so, the charters committee formed a positive impression of the situation at Brock, and recommended that full colony status be granted. This recommendation was accompanied by others. A full recruitment program was to be undertaken in the fall of 1978. Pledge training was to be continued by the sponsoring chapter with the aid of local alumni. The committee also noted (as had DC Kirkgasser) that, with the departure of Al Engelhardt from St. Catharines, some other brother(s) would have to step in to supervise the colony and keep it progressing.
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The final recommendation stated: This Committee further recommends, in the interests of the General Fraternity, that the current eight pledges not be initiated until an adequate pledge training program can be completed.
The report passed unanimously on the convention floor. But did that last recommendation also limit the enthusiasm of the colony pledges? A colony in one district with its sponsoring chapter in another made for an awkward situation. It gave added force to the argument that both Ontario chapters could be joined in a new all-Canadian district. In 1978, a major shuffling of districts occurred, and the new District III was set up, containing the Toronto chapter, the Western Ontario chapter, and the Brock colony. Jack Geddes became district chief of the first-ever all-Canadian district in Beta history. This new district marked another historic “first” for the Toronto chapter. For the first time in its long history, Theta Zeta was no longer sharing District ties with the chapters in upstate New York. Everyone had high hopes that this new arrangement would work to the benefit of the Brock colony as well as the two older chapters. During the 1978-79 academic year, a trio of undergraduates from Western Ontario provided much of the energy at Brock. Both the General Fraternity and the Delta Alpha chapter noted and approved, in The Beta Theta Pi, the hard work of Ian Haley, Western Ontario ’79, Kevin Dale, Western Ontario ’80, and David Clutchey, Western Ontario ’80, in promoting Beta Theta Pi on the Brock campus. Even with the efforts of these three dedicated brothers, the net result was what DC Geddes called “disappointing progress.” In his 1979 Annual Report, Geddes noted that there were now only a pair of active brothers, plus three others who might be interested. The writing was already on the wall. One point of dispute over the Brock colony is the issue of exactly how many brothers from Brock were initiated. Different people consulted by the author variously gave the number of initiates as two, one or none. In that same 1979 report, Geddes identified a major cause of the trouble. The Brock University Students’ Council was led by a man who was openly anti— 231 —
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fraternity, and other members of the council were apparently content to follow his lead. The council seemed to carry a great deal of weight among the students, and the natural result was the numbers problem in the colony. Geddes hoped that the next year would bring a new, and less hostile, president. By the time the 1979 General Convention assembled, the situation was at a dead end. No representative of the colony appeared before the charters committee, although Western Ontario sponsor Kevin Dale was on hand. By this time, the membership had dwindled to just one active brother and two pledges. Furthermore, a Beta brother who was on the faculty expressed concern over the ultimate survival of the university itself, faced as it was with a fast-declining enrollment. It was inevitable, under these circumstances, that the charters committee would recommend the closure of the Brock colony. The general tone of the committee’s report indicated that the effort had been considerable, but that all parties were tiring of the struggle. Perhaps, the committee suggested, success might be achieved by starting over again in another location. A small irony was that this report was moved by the delegate of the Toronto chapter, Rob McConnell. In just a few more years, he would — as district chief — help to make that hope come true at the University of Guelph. But as one of those directly involved in Brock, McConnell was certainly wellplaced to realize the hopelessness of the situation. In due time, expansion would proceed in Canada, but Brock would not be the school at which it finally happened. Perhaps the greatest lesson learned at Brock could be summed up in this way: a colony has a much better chance of succeeding if it starts from within as a core of committed undergraduates, rather than from without by a group of eager alumni. The eventual experiences of Bishop’s and Carleton would bear this out. In closing the Brock story, it must be said that it was a pity that the time and place were all wrong and against this colony. This was one effort that was defeated by harsh realities beyond the control of the men involved. There’s no doubt that the Beta Spirit and enthusiasm of the Brock colonizers were right, all along the line.
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PART VI University of Guelph Chapter The Epsilon Zeta of Beta Theta Pi
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A Fresh Start at Last During the 1980s, the General Fraternity made a conscious decision to
embark on a major expansion drive. There was a sense that the Fraternity could not afford to stand still any longer. To hold the line on size would cause Beta to slowly dwindle into a second-rate brotherhood among North American Greek societies.
Although many brothers still questioned the wisdom of expansion, the majority of delegates at the annual General Conventions made it clear that Beta would now have to go forward and grow. Betas in all the many positions of responsibility were alerted that growth would take place, and that the Fraternity would actively seek suitable fields for new expansion. Jack Geddes, Western Ontario ’54, Toronto ’55, was one man with a positive reaction to this message. Since 1979, Jack had been serving as chief of the newlyformed all-Canadian District III. His two chapters in Toronto and London had a few contacts between each other, but Jack was seeking new ways to draw these Ontario sister chapters even closer. A new chapter between them, Geddes felt, would do the trick. There were four universities located in cities between the two existing Ontario chapters. Jack Geddes noted the University of Guelph as a probable good location for expansion. Here was a sizable school with many resident students, a good image in the community and no existing Greek letter fraternities. Geddes was certainly well aware of Beta’s many pioneering ventures, and saw that Guelph could make a worthy addition to the list. He discussed this idea with several of the alumni in the region who were most actively involved in Beta at the time.
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Jack Geddes died suddenly of a heart attack immediately after returning home from the 1983 General Convention. With his passing, the chapters of District III lost not only a district chief but a staunch and loyal friend as well. His untimely death, though, did not signal the end of Canadian expansion. In fact, quite the opposite was true. Jack’s successor as chief of District III was Robert “Rob” McConnell, Toronto ’79. It was fortunate that Rob was well aware of Jack’s hopes for a Guelph chapter, and shared them. The plan for expansion would go forward. Under other circumstances, or with a different man in charge, the whole proposal might well have been shelved. Here again, Beta was lucky that the right man turned up at the right time. In 1984, McConnell heard through a business contact of a young man at Guelph who might well be interested in starting a new fraternity on the Guelph campus. McConnell canvassed a list of Betas in the Guelph area for possible support. He then arranged a meeting with Rodney Monkman, a Guelph undergraduate, and some potential alumni supporters. Monkman soon drew a few friends into the group. These men would form the nucleus of the Guelph colony. In many ways, it was a perfect team for the job. The young men from the campus had the enthusiasm and energy needed for this work. The alumni provided the experience in fraternal matters. McConnell combined the enthusiasm with a solid knowledge of what not to do, based on his involvement in the attempt to colonize at Brock University. When recruitment began on the Guelph campus, the idea of a Greek-letter fraternity was unknown to many, perhaps most, of the student body. Interest was quickly evident, though, and never more so than when the founders spoke of a possible chapter house. Since the vast majority of Guelph’s students come from out of town, and since the campus residential system holds less than half of the student body, interest in any form of off-campus housing is automatic. But, of course, a Beta chapter is more than just a house. The Beta pioneers, and their district chief, certainly wanted and expected something more. All of them knew that this new chapter would be very important, and not only for itself. They knew that the eyes of the fraternity would be focused on the Guelph experiment, and that the prospects for future expansion in Canada would hinge on their success or failure. It was important that the Guelph founders get it right!
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A conscious decision was taken to limit the founding pledge class to 13 of the best men who came forward, men who were seen as the “movers and shakers” on the Guelph campus. Once this core group established itself, it could take on the task of enlarging the chapter. November 23, 1984, marked the official start of Beta Theta Pi’s expansion phase in Canada. On that day, 13 men at the University of Guelph were officially pledged to the Fraternity. The Guelph colony was now under way. The unofficial start had come somewhat earlier. The founders had arranged a series of charter bus trips to various The 13 pioneers at Guelph, 1984 Guelph Gryphons football games in different cities. As the Gryphons were having a major winning season that fall, the buses were completely sold out each time. With each bus trip, the public profile of Beta Theta Pi on the campus grew larger and more visible. One of these trips also led to the first contact between the men from Guelph and the chapter at Western Ontario. It was not auspicious. These two schools had a long-standing rivalry which was marked by name-calling (and sometimes more than that), and it quickly spilled over into the Beta arena as well. The result could best be described as a kind of friendly hostility which never disappeared. In the event of a real emergency, one would hope that the men of these two chapters would help each other as needed. Meanwhile, the war of words carried on! Contact between Guelph and Western Ontario continued, although some of the visits were made on the safe and friendly neutral turf of the sponsoring chapter, Toronto. Just as Geddes and McConnell had hoped, the presence of a Beta colony in the middle stimulated increasing contact between the two older chapters of the district.
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The original 13 worked very hard indeed to master the rudiments of Beta Theta Pi in preparation for their initiation. They shared a common belief that the more they learned on the first go-round, the stronger the foundation they would have laid down for all future pledge classes. Paul Surtel, Toronto ’86, served as pledge educator for that first group, and made weekly trips from Toronto to Guelph to teach, test, check, help and advise. Not that it was all hard work — far from it! Three of the men lived together in a small semi-detached house at 266 Cole Road, and this quickly became the de facto Beta house. It was the scene of a memorable Christmas party in 1984. This party could best be described, using the language of more recent years, as an “unmanaged risk.” The house was so packed that people in the basement could see the ceiling “wowing” up and down as the crowd on the first floor danced! Plainly this was not a proper chapter house. It certainly wasn’t big enough for a large percentage of the men to live in. That made it harder for them to spend a lot of time together, and the work of upholding colony morale became much tougher. Sometimes drastic measures had to be taken by these widely-spread founders to keep their Beta spirits high. One man recalled the following creative use of the telephone: The spirit was kept up, since we weren’t all in the same place, by completely unplanned, completely random, middle-of-the-night phone calls. You’d just take the list of the 13 of us, dial someone’s number, and they’d answer the phone, and you’d go: “Wooglin! Wooga-wooga-wooga-wooga-wooga- WOOGLIN!!!,” and hang up. And within five minutes everybody would be called, and everybody would be awake, and then everyone would be calling everyone to try to find out who did it, which would be a great excuse for wasting a night.
Note that the phone message as quoted above was delivered in a screaming high falsetto! The most amazing statistic concerning that first year of the Guelph colony is the number of road trips. Between bus charters to football games and ski hills, and jaunts by car to other locations for Beta functions, members of the Guelph colony made no less than 13 road trips during the 1984-85 school year! They attended functions at the Toronto, Western Ontario, GMI-EMI and Michigan State chapters. The Guelph Betas were represented at the Southern — 238 —
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Ontario Alumni Association’s annual black tie dinner in Toronto. They were on hand at the NIC Conference in Louisville, Ky., receiving an NIC scholarship for their pioneering efforts at Guelph. They stopped in at the Administrative Office in Oxford on their way back from Louisville. Some of them attended the Beta regional leadership workshop in West Lafayette, Ind. In the midst of this mad whirl of social and travel activities, Beta knowledge was not neglected. On February 18, 1985, the 13 pioneer pledges were formally initiated at the sponsoring Theta Zeta Chapter in Toronto. The same week, alumnus Jack Purdy organized a Beta Dorg at the Guelph Country Club. Just two weeks later, the Guelph brothers (as we may now call them) Three colony members and District Chief Rob McConnell get a tour of the Miami University campus with General Fraternity Archivist were pledging a new class of men. H. H. “Hi” Stephenson, Miami ’39, in 1984. They had decided that they could — and would — fit a second pledge program into the 1984-85 school year. That plan was fulfilled on April 23, 1985, when the second pledge class of eight men were formally initiated, this time in Guelph. District Chief McConnell was present, of course, but so were groups of active brothers from both Toronto and Western Ontario, and alumni representatives as well. It became easy to believe that nothing was impossible for the gung-ho guys of the Guelph colony. Certainly, McConnell believed it. Guelph had finished one year as a provisional colony, and was due to apply for full colony status at the 1985 General Convention. McConnell urged them to an even more dazzling prospect. Why not just skip the full colony stage and go straight for charter? The men from Guelph were certainly willing to “have a go!” The time frame was a little too close for them to pull this one off. A draft petition was sent to Oxford, and came back with numerous suggestions for revisions. The Guelph men reconsidered, and pulled back from the chartering drive for a year. What would have happened if they had pushed ahead? It’s hard to say. The Guelph brothers could probably count on the support of chapters which had already — 239 —
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met them through their numerous road trips. These delegates would know the quality and enthusiasm of the Guelph Betas. It’s much harder to predict if support would have been forthcoming from Betas in more distant areas, or if uncertainty about this tremendous haste would have been Guelph’s undoing. charters committees at conventions usually support whatever recommendations are made to them by the Board of Trustees and the Administrative Office staff. Would they have done so if the Board and staff had recommended a charter for this one-year-old colony? In retrospect, it’s probably best that the colony members themselves made the decision to hold back. Picture their tremendous disappointment if they had charged ahead, and someone else had had to put on the brakes for them! We do know that Guelph had no trouble achieving the step to full colony status, and that the charters committee had no particular recommendations for them beyond the obvious directive to “carry on the good work!” In the fall of 1985, the colony acquired a house at 52 Waterloo Avenue. It was some distance away from the campus (an obvious drawback), but all eight spaces in the house were occupied by Betas, so the Guelph colony had a headquarters at last. The house made it possible for the colony to host many more organized recruitment events, and also to entertain visitors from other chapters and colonies. Not that the fellows were staying at home all the time — the second year produced almost as many road trips as the first! One in particular set a new tradition in motion. In February 1986, the Guelph Betas travelled to the annual Beta Basketball Tournament hosted by Delta Xi Chapter at Eastern Kentucky University. Out of 18 chapters represented, the Guelph Betas finished a resounding 18th, as well as being the only Canadian chapter represented and the chapter which had travelled the farthest to reach the tournament. After 1986, Guelph almost always attended the EKU tournament, usually was the farthest-travelled chapter present, and more often than not, finished dead last. It remained one of the most popular events on the annual schedule at Guelph. Another important event was the visit to Guelph in February 1986 by the Gemeral Fraternity President John J. Rhodes, Kansas State ’37. President Rhodes conducted the ceremony to pledge the members of the fourth pledge class. He also enjoyed a time of social interaction, and bestowed a new nickname on Guelph. From then on the Guelph men rejoiced in their new reputation as “Beta’s travellingest colony.” — 240 —
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Also noteworthy was the burgeoning relationship between the Guelph colony and the new Beta provisional colony at McGill University in Montreal. In January 1986, the Guelph colony conducted the formal pledging ceremony for the first McGill pledge class, and in March travelled to St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. (the sponsoring chapter) to attend the first initiation of McGill pledges, held in the Abbott-Young Memorial Temple. Two brothers of the colony became among the best-known faces in Beta Theta Pi during the spring of 1986. The chapter came up with a unique fundraising idea, and sent a “Beta Fashion Update” to every chapter and colony in the Fraternity. It included a photograph of Ross McKenzie, Guelph ’85, and Darren Savage, Guelph ’85, dressed in navy blue Beta cardigan sweaters, with instructions on how the sweaters could be purchased. The sweaters were more stylish than the usual T-shirts or sweats, and obviously filled a need. The picture was posted on chapter bulletin boards all over North America, and before long all the sweaters were sold. Certainly the Administrative Office staff got to know that photograph very well. One staff member of that time said that, every time he stepped into a chapter house, no matter where he went, he found Ross and Darren grinning down at him from somewhere on the walls! When the time came to present a charter petition to the 147th General Convention, the Guelph Betas found the job surprisingly easy. Most of the work consisted of a simple update and improvement of the previous year’s draft petition. Three men from Guelph made the long trip to Scottsdale (Phoenix), Ariz., for the 147th General Convention, and they came prepared. By the time they arrived, the delegation had swelled to four with the addition of “Ben Wooglin.” This was actually a man-size inflatable dinosaur. But he made a surprisingly good facsimile of a Beta dragon when decked out in a Guelph Beta cardigan, Beta cap, Canadian Beta tie and delegate badge with his name. Ben Wooglin may not have been on the official convention roster, but he had a way of sneaking into various official and candid convention photos. He was much in demand to have his picture taken with some of the younger children at the convention. When he wasn’t posing for photographers, Ben Wooglin could be found standing behind the Guelph colony information table. He even entered the convention hall with the three colony brothers to hear the results of the chartering vote, although he did remain discreetly on the sidelines as the other three approached the stage. No one knows whether Ben Wooglin had to give the grip and password to enter the convention hall! — 241 —
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With pride, the men from Guelph heard themselves named the Epsilon Zeta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, and a new war cry — “E-ZBeta!” — was soon born. It was also a day of pride for all Canadian Betas who had been associated with the growth of this new chapter. For the first time in 34 years, a chapter of Beta had been chartered in Canada — the longest gap between charterings in the Canadian history of the Fraternity. The formal chartering of the University of Guelph chapter, the Epsilon Zeta of Beta Ben Wooglin under the palm trees in front of Theta Pi, took place on Saturday, November Camelback Mountain, Scottsdale, 1986 1, 1986, at the Holiday Inn in Guelph. As the first chartering to take place in Canada since 1952, it attracted a large crowd of alumni and undergraduates from Windsor to Montreal, and many points in between. Before dinner was served, the Beta voices raised in song rang through the hotel’s open atrium. This had many other guests looking around curiously, trying to discover the source of the music. The singers were on a footbridge across the atrium on the second floor level, and hard to see from below! The new chapter received many generous gifts, and was honoured by the presence of General Secretary B. Hume Morris, Centre ’68, and President John J. Rhodes, Kansas State ’37. The lives of all the Guelph Betas were changed forever.
President David Redman, Guelph ’88, receives the president’s robe from John J. Rhodes.
David Redman and Rodney Monkman holding the charter
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University of Guelph Chapter
The head table at the Installation Banquet
So was the life of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. After years of only slight growth, the Northern Stars had exploded into a burst of expansive activity. Given this historic position, it was plain that many Betas would have great expectations for the new Epsilon Zeta Chapter. The three existing chapters across Canada had all achieved great successes in the past. The youngest sister of the family would have her work cut out for her, to try to live up to the high standards set over the years in Toronto, Vancouver and London. The way that Guelph set about living up to these expectations was pure E-Z-Beta.
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Slow and Steady Progress With the coveted Charter safely in their hands, Guelph Betas were
free to think of their future. It’s hard to do when you’re working toward chapterhood; every last bit of energy has to be poured into the immediate task of winning the charter. The men of a colony have little leisure time to think any further ahead than that.
At first it might have seemed as though the newly-chartered Epsilon Zeta Chapter wasn’t going to do any more future thinking than they had done already. The brothers seemed content to mark time. They showed no huge burst of enthusiasm to rush out and win a whole string of Sisson Awards. They didn’t race full-tilt into competing for scholarship, newsletter or philanthropic prizes. It might seem an odd comment, but the slow pace the chapter set in those early days might actually have been beneficial in some ways. For one thing, this slack time seems to have taken the place of the more dramatic “post-charter slump” that many new chapters experience. Epsilon Zeta spent a few years marking time, but nothing much worse. The membership numbers didn’t tumble drastically; no huge debt to the General Fraternity was run up. The chapter’s biggest handicap at the time of chartering was the lack of a house. As other chapters have found, both before and since, trying to operate with no central headquarters is difficult (although not absolutely impossible). The Guelph Betas were fortunate to have the continued support and help of their erstwhile sponsors in Toronto, and so were able to use the Theta Zeta house for initiations and the like. To try to solve this problem, the brothers agreed to set up a housing fund in the spring of 1987. Each member voluntarily agreed to make a donation of $100 — 245 —
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at the time of graduation, with the money to go toward purchasing a chapter house for Epsilon Zeta. In the meantime, the chapter sought an interim house which could be rented. In the fall of 1987, the chapter moved into a rented house at 60 Nottingham Street, a good location near the centre of the city. Unfortunately, it wasn’t ideally close to the campus, but in a compact city like Guelph, this was Epsilon Zeta brothers after an initiation at the Theta Zeta house in not a major problem. The chapter Toronto, November 1986 viewed this house as a two-to-three year stopgap, but in fact, the Beta chapter occupied the house at 60 Nottingham for eight years! A noteworthy event occurred in January 1988. The chapter initiated Douglas Palm, Guelph ’90, who became the fourth Beta member of his family. Doug’s grandfather and father were both members of Theta Zeta at Toronto, and his older brother Ian was a founder of the colony at McGill. In time, Doug’s younger brother Rob also became a McGill Beta. This newest addition to a family Beta tradition was marked by a story and photo in The Beta Theta Pi. Several new Greek groups were springing up on the Guelph Brothers outside 60 Nottingham Street after an initiation in 1990 campus, following the lead set by the Betas. The new fraternities helped to increase awareness of Greek-letter societies in a school where they were unknown to many students. At the same time, though, the new arrivals were competing with the Betas for the small pool of students who were available and interested in fraternity membership. Recruitment slowed in the face of competition. — 246 —
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With the appearance of various new Greek groups, the time was obviously right for an inter-Greek organization to be formed. The Betas, as ever, took the lead in setting up the Inter-Fraternity Council. The new Council’s first major project was a float for the Homecoming Parade. The Betas played a major role in the float project, and two alumni supplied the flatbed truck for the float. It was all great fun, and terrific advertising for the fraternities, which remained an unknown quantity to many of the Guelph students. All this time, Epsilon Zeta was gradually getting on its feet in a steady fashion. It wasn’t spectacular progress, but the slow and steady effort was approaching its big payoff. At the 1990 General Convention, the chapter was awarded its firstever Sisson Award for chapter excellence. At the same time, Epsilon Zeta was named as winner of the Jack Geddes trophy for the best Canadian chapter. Since Jack had been one of the first Betas to dream the dream of Beta Stars at Guelph, this triumph held special meaning for all Betas who had known Jack as well as they now knew the Guelph chapter. It was also a terrific shot in the arm for the chapter. There had been some men in Guelph who felt that they were continually taking a back seat to the very energetic McGill chapter (among the newer Canadian chapters) and to the senior chapters at Toronto, British Columbia and Western Ontario. Now, with the Sisson and Geddes in hand, Guelph had proved that it could stand proudly with the best. Chapter Counsellor Randy Lewis, Western Ontario ’82, Chapter Delegates Mark Tanden, Guelph ’92, and Mike Christie, Guelph ’91, and District Chief Jim Mignault at the 151st General Convention with the Sisson and Geddes awards
Buoyed by its newfound confidence, the chapter took on yet another new project. In November 1990, to celebrate the anniversary of the chapter’s chartering, the Guelph brothers held their first-ever Beta Ball at the College Inn. This high-class formal affair was continued as an annual event.
That first ball was a special night for another reason. This was the night that Timothy Bond, Guelph ’92, unveiled art work which was probably a first in Canadian — 247 —
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Beta history: a chapter “allegory.” Although one famous allegory (the “Beta Temple”) appears on the walls of many chapter houses, there have not been many other pictures of this type to follow it — certainly not in the 20th century when this type of symbolic art generally has been less fashionable and popular. The Guelph allegory was a careful assembly of symbols which related the members of the chapter to each Assembled brothers at the 1990 Beta Ball other, to the university and to the General Fraternity of Beta Theta Pi. Brother Bond had spent many hours creating it, after careful planning by the men of the chapter, and they were justly proud of his work. After the ball, the allegory was sent to Oxford with a request that it receive official approval and sanction. It was neither seen nor heard of again. Bond and other members of the chapter firmly believed that this disappearance was due to negligence by the staff of the Administrative Office, although there was no real evidence to support this belief. This event had a direct and negative effect on the feelings of the chapter toward the General Fraternity. The General Convention of 1991 brought the Epsilon Zeta Chapter a Sisson Award and the Jack Geddes trophy for the second year in succession. Plainly, the chapter was now off the ground and well on its way. This was proven clearly enough the next year when the chapter repeated both wins for a third time! In both years, the chapter had a notable track record. Everything was organized firmly, everything ran smoothly and all communications and reports were completed on Timothy Bond with his Epsilon Zeta allegory time. The district chief ’s report for 1992 commended this good — 248 —
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management record, and then went on to note that this would be the time to buy a house as prices were low and good housing was available. The chapter did indeed consider a number of possibilities, but nothing was done in the end, and 60 Nottingham Street was rented for another year. It seems a pity that such a golden opportunity was missed. The bottom line was to blame. Donations to the housing fund over the years had slowed to a trickle. The cash on hand simply wasn’t adequate for a down payment of any kind. The original plan to have each man pay $100 into the housing fund on graduation had been lost in the shuffle. So had quite a number of the alumni. This was the Achilles heel of the Guelph chapter, in spite of its years of success. Its relationship with the alumni was regarded as unimportant, and allowed to lapse. It wasn’t as though the alumni didn’t want to support their chapter; many did. The men of the chapter allowed their address lists to get out of date, and contact became more and more limited. The low point in alumni relations came when no invitations were sent to the 1993 Beta Ball. Everyone seemed to think that someone else was doing it, and when the job finally — clearly — devolved onto one man it was almost too late. The final complication came when no one offered to help him. It was actually a sign that things around Epsilon Zeta were becoming disorganized in more ways than one. Reports began to lapse, and other important tasks were left undone. The chapter received its fourth consecutive Sisson Award in 1993, but not the Geddes. In 1994, even the Sisson Award was not forthcoming. As District Chief Jim Mignault, Western Ontario ’83, pointed out in his year-end report, many of the deadlines required for the Sisson Award hadn’t been met. This sudden troubled phase proved that even the strongest chapter is not foolproof. Any number of events can conspire to break down the continuity. Without a clear passing of policies and directions from one executive to the next, the chapter’s leaders spend precious time floundering, trying to figure out what has been done and what needs to be done. It was embarrassing to admit after four years of successes, but this was what was happening in Guelph. The crowning embarrassment came at the 1994 Convention. During a business session of this convention, Chapter President Stuart Morcombe, Guelph ’95, explained that the chapter had not been entitled to the Sisson Award granted it in 1993, and returned the award. How was Guelph able to get an award it didn’t deserve? Each chapter that applies for the Sisson Award must have its district — 249 —
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chief sign its application, certifying that the chapter has indeed complied with the Sisson Award criteria. The Guelph application had been submitted in 1993 with the district chief ’s signature forged on it. The criteria had, in fact, not been met, and District Chief Mignault had not had any intention of signing Guelph’s application that year. When the Guelph chapter delegate was called up at the 1993 Convention and handed a Sisson Award certificate, Mignault was angry (understandably so), especially when he pieced together with the Administrative Office staff exactly what had happened. Later in 1993, Mignault had a talk with the men of the chapter about this situation. Although normally a very polite and tactful man, Mignault allowed himself the luxury of being direct and blunt about his own feelings. Early the next year, a group of four alumni of Epsilon Zeta visited the chapter as well. The nature of the discussion was the same in each case: the members of the chapter were told clearly how their advisors felt, and then left to decide their course of action for themselves. The chapter voted to return the award at the 1994 Convention. Morcombe’s sudden surprise announcement helped to provoke discussion on the convention floor about revisions and tightening up of the standards for Sisson awards. The action also earned Guelph favourable notice for the integrity and maturity demonstrated in an era when both qualities were often seen as lacking in young people generally. The chapter returned for the 1994-95 year determined never to repeat that public shame and embarrassment. One of the major accomplishments of this year was the production of a detailed and thoroughly up-to-date alumni directory. The realization had at last sunk in that a strong and continuing relationship with the alumni was a vital part of the chapter’s health and well-being, not just a sparetime frill. All but a few of the chapter’s alumni were successfully tracked down and included in this directory, and received a copy. Another large-scale accomplishment came that year in the area of philanthropy. The men of the chapter planned a large-scale fundraising event in support of “Kids Can Play,” a local charity working with young children. An all-day carnival at a local shopping mall, combined with a raffle and silent auction, generated plenty of positive publicity for the Betas. The big hit of the day was the dunk tank, with undergrads and alumni taking turns being dumped into the chilly water. The tank raised a lot of money, especially when managers of — 250 —
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stores in the mall took their turns on the seat and drew fire from their employees! In the end, “Kids Can Play Day” drew hundreds of visitors of all ages and netted more than $1,500.
A scene from Kids Can Play Day, 1995
At the 1995 Convention, the chapter proudly received the John Holt Duncan Service Award for this imaginative and successful project. The embarrassment of the Sisson debacle had, in some measure, been made good.
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The End of the Dream By 1995, although the Guelph chapter appeared to be still prospering, the
factors that would lead to its downfall were almost all in place. A key problem appeared to be a certain degree of apathy on the part of alumni and actives alike, which became more noticeable over a period of several years.
In 1996, two brothers from Guelph received the first two scholarships from the new Beta Theta Pi Foundation of Canada. Colin Skeates, Guelph ’96, and Peter Yungblut, Guelph ’96, received their awards at an alumni dinner in Toronto from John N. Turner, British Columbia ’49.
John Turner speaks to Colin Skeates and Peter Yungblut after the scholarship presentation.
Also in 1996, the chapter proudly held its 10th anniversary celebration. More than 30 Guelph Betas and many of their Beta sweethearts assembled for an evening of reminiscences, singing and plenty of laughter. Many optimistic things were said about the expected longevity of the Epsilon Zeta Chapter at this event. Few present could or would have predicted that the chapter had only a few years of life left.
Like all the Canadian chapters, Epsilon Zeta continued to suffer in its recruiting efforts because of the Canadian dollar exchange rate. The chilling effect of the growing pledge and initiation fees — 253 —
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in U. S. dollars was considerable. Peter Yungblut wanted to help the recruitment drive. Taking advantage of the revised alumni directory, he canvassed alumni for financial support to be given as a pledge of so many dollars per man initiated. Of the money raised, half would be used to help defray the cost of initiation fees for the new members. The other half would go into the chapter housing fund. The Beta Brothers at the Tenth Anniversary celebration This drive certainly should have helped the chapter in its efforts to recruit new members, but alumni response was not as high as many brothers had hoped. For Guelph, the story of the rest of the 1990s consisted of a slow, steady, dispiriting downhill slide. With each passing year, the membership of Epsilon Zeta sank a little lower, and the morale of the remaining men followed suit. There were many theories to account for this decline. The University of Guelph had never been overly friendly territory, and the men of the chapter had struggled to achieve a more positive profile for themselves throughout their history. This problem was never truly overcome, and probably never could be. As we’ve seen with other chapters, the late 1990s saw another of those periodic declines in interest in fraternities generally. The cost of university tuition rose sharply in Ontario as government subsidies were reduced. This increased cost also caused many students to be much more focused on achieving the best possible grades, and allowing nothing to interfere with that objective. A special and particular problem throughout the chapter’s history was that Guelph had a definite enrolment imbalance, with many more female than male students. During the late 1990s, this imbalance was becoming notably larger with each passing year. Whatever the exact causes, each of these factors probably played a part. Throughout its history, Guelph lived with a shortage of actively involved advisors on the spot. There was a strong holdover of the old belief that a chapter counsellor — 254 —
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was all you really needed. Randy Lewis, Western Ontario ’82, held the position effectively for several years, during which time he was living in Burlington, Ontario. This seemed not too far away, yet in retrospect, it might have been better if someone living a bit closer to the scene of the action had also been available to assist Lewis. Setting up a successful fraternity chapter is easier in a school where an active fraternity system exists, and where the university itself provides support. Guelph had been a pioneering school for Beta, and the university administration had remained completely aloof. The student government, in most years, was downright hostile to the aspirations of the Betas. Under these trying conditions, it was only possible for the chapter to succeed when a truly superlative leader appeared to take charge of the chapter’s affairs as president. There certainly were a number of such leaders, but ground was lost each time a strong president graduated. The brothers at Guelph definitely had the will and spirit to be good Betas, but the ongoing war of nerves with the opposition was trying, to say the least. At any rate, the net result of all these negative factors was that in 2000, with only a few active brothers left, the chapter simply fizzled out of existence. It was the second Canadian chapter to close its doors. This was a sad end to a story that had begun 16 years earlier with such high hopes and so much energy. The usual finger-pointing followed, with blame laid around in many quarters. It seems safest to say, however, that along with all the difficulties this particular university environment created, the Guelph chapter was also the victim of the same problems that helped to kill three sister chapters in a decade: a lack of committed local advisors and a lack of attention to the officer transition process.
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PART VII McGill University Chapter The Epsilon Nu of Beta Theta Pi
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Not the Labatt’s Frat For those who believe in the traditional image of fraternity men as hardpartying, beer-swilling pigs, the name “Labatt’s Frat” seems like an appropriate label in Canada, using the name of one of the two largest Canadian breweries.
Betas, of course, are well-known for doing more and better with their lives than the “animal house” image suggests. The desire to have something better was particularly marked among the founders of the McGill University colony. In that case, it’s especially appropriate that it was one of those founders who first coined the memorable descriptive phrase: “We are not the Labatt’s frat.” Of course, it helped that the “Labatt’s frats” already existed on the McGill campus. The founders of the Beta colony could clearly see the kind of fraternity they didn’t want to be — those fraternities were all around them. Like the founders of several other Beta chapters, the first men at McGill were creating a chapter that would fill a need for them, a need which none of the existing fraternities were capable of satisfying. Unlike Guelph, McGill University had a long-standing fraternity system, with half a dozen or more of the major international Greek societies represented. McGill had also appeared a number of times on Beta’s lists of desirable expansion sites. In fact, McGill had been mentioned as a site for a Beta chapter at the time of the chartering of Toronto in 1906. Located in Montreal, Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada, McGill University is one of the truly prestigious universities of the world. Its medical school in particular has an international reputation. More than any of Beta’s other Canadian campuses, McGill draws large numbers of students from outside the country (and indeed from outside the continent). This diverse student — 259 —
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population would be reflected in the membership of the McGill colony/chapter as it grew — a half-dozen nationalities would eventually be reflected in the chapter rolls, and nearly every continent of the world would be represented. Of the four “expansion teams” in Canada, McGill was the one that Beta Theta Pi itself pursued most aggressively. This is proven by the crucial difference between the start-up procedure used at Guelph and the process followed at McGill. In Guelph, the alumni and the district chief had shouldered the burden of recruiting. At McGill, there were enthusiastic local alumni, but the Fraternity made doublesure by sending in Administrative Assistant Michael Gates, Western Ontario ’85, to conduct a two-week recruitment on the McGill campus. His work is best described in the words of one of the McGill founding fathers: Gates was a superb gentleman. He really represented Beta fantastically... By himself he ran a recruitment that a chapter of 40 guys couldn’t have done. He managed to meet over 60 guys in two weeks, and we’ve run recruits three weeks long since then and barely managed to meet 20.
The net result of this intense two-week recruitment was a pledge class of 17 men who represented the best of the 60 or so that Michael Gates had met. A problem arose almost at once. It could be called a “unity” problem in the pledge class, but really represented a lack of a unified vision for the future. The pledge class split into two different groups. One was drawn by the long tradition of excellence, 147 years of it, which was Beta Theta Pi. The other group was attracted to the idea of “newness,” the thought of starting up a new fraternity which would be all their own. Quite plainly, the first group had seen something, caught some vision, which the second group had missed altogether. The alumni, including such key men as Jim Mignault, Western Ontario ’83, and Alex Faust, Western Ontario ’82, communicated the vision of Beta’s long and honourable fraternal tradition. The men who wanted to create a “new” fraternity found that they were expected to mould themselves to this pre-existing fraternal tradition, and it didn’t suit them. In quick succession, seven of the 17 pledges dropped away. The faith of the remaining 10 was severely shaken. It had all seemed so easy with the certainty of Michael Gates to back them up, but Gates had moved on to other tasks. Other men in the group found themselves wavering. It was a time for tough selfexamination by the 10 pledges who remained. — 260 —
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Finally Patrick Buchholz, McGill ’87, flung down the gauntlet. Speaking to Ian Palm, McGill ’87, in a late night phone call, Patrick issued this challenge: If it’s just you and me, Ian; are we still going through with this or not?
For Ian Palm, a third-generation Beta legacy, there could be only one possible answer. Secure in their own determination, these two strong-willed men set to work to reunify the rest of the pledge class and instill a strong Beta Spirit in them. Meanwhile, with the guidance of members of the Beta Zeta Chapter at St. Lawrence University, the McGill men continued their pledgeship program and training. On March 16, 1986, the first 10 men of the McGill provisional colony were initiated onto the rolls of Beta Theta Pi in a solemn ceremony at the Abbott-Young Memorial Temple next to the St. Lawrence Chapter House in Canton, N.Y. In that same month, the colony hosted its first Beta Ball. It was a top-class formal event that clearly showed the determination of the Beta brothers at McGill to be “the best and the brightest.” This event remained a special and cherished annual tradition at the McGill chapter every year after. In August 1986, two men from the provisional colony made the long trek across North America to join in the excitement of their first General Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz. There they shared the thrill of Guelph’s chartering. At this convention, they also presented their own petition for full colony status, which was approved by the delegates. In the first year of full colony status, McGill colony showed how much progress it had made already. It had become a clearly-defined objective to create a fraternity of gentlemen and scholars at McGill. The men saw themselves as a necessary counterweight to the proliferation of mediocrity in some of the other fraternal organizations on the campus. This emphasis on academic and personal quality had an interesting effect, contrary to what many brothers might expect. It attracted men to the colony. Potential members could see that this was a group of men who stood for something significant, knew what it was and meant to uphold it. The Betas’ determination showed itself in a number of ways. Among their executive officers, they accorded increased importance to the scholastic chairman. Pledge education and the proper performance of ritual were also high priorities. The — 261 —
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colony worked hard to develop good Beta singing, with tone quality, expression and harmony. Guest speakers were invited from the university faculty, and the colony took the lead in reviving the moribund Inter-fraternity Council. In the spring of 1987 came two special events that brought a major new player onto the McGill “team.” In March, District Chief Rob McConnell, Toronto ’79, organized a conclave for the eastern arm of his greatly-expanded district. While the event was mainly for the benefit of the McGill and Bishop’s colonies, some representatives also attended from the Toronto, Western Ontario and Guelph chapters. At this event, Rob introduced Walter E. H. Massey II, MIT ’51, to the assembled Betas. Walter Massey had been uninvolved in Beta Theta Pi for many years, but what he saw at this workshop and what he learned of the McGill colony would soon change that! Two weeks after the workshop came the McGill Beta Ball II, held at the Hotel du Parc. This was the night that Walter Massey formally presented to the colony his grandfather’s Beta badge, to serve as the President’s Badge. Along with the badge went a plaque commemorating the presentation, with spaces to record the names of the McGill presidents in order. The plaque also incorporated the names of the 10 founders of the colony, and concluded with these words of dedication, composed by Brother Massey: May Wooglin Live in your Spirit May Knox Dwell in your Mind May Betas be Kept in your Heart and Guidance be the Light of Our Stars
The McGill men were thrilled, as may be imagined, by this generous gift, as also by the news that Walter Massey had agreed to act as their chapter counsellor. The badge was proudly worn that night by Richard Priest, McGill ’88. The second McGill Beta Ball marked a triumphant high point of the year. Too soon, it was followed by a terrible tragedy. On May 13, 1987, founder Timothy Edward Stiles, McGill ’88, was killed in an auto accident. Such an event is devastating for any chapter, at any time. To the men of a young colony, still a small and closeknit group, the effect was overwhelming. All of the men who were still in, or near, Montreal quickly assembled. Others travelled back as soon as they could.
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Distressed and grieving, the men of McGill sought appropriate ways to celebrate the life and spirit of their brother. Their plans included a memorial service to be held in Montreal the following Tuesday. A tree was to be planted in Brother Stiles’ memory on the campus, along with a memorial plaque. With the help of a few alumni, the brothers of the chapter raised enough money among themselves to send two of their number by air to Calgary for the funeral. And all of these forms of remembrance focused around “something special.” Some time around four o’clock on the morning of May 15, Patrick Buchholz, McGill ’87, and Serge Robinette, McGill ’87, completed a song. It was sung at the memorial service held on May 18 in Montreal: Walter Massey presents his grandfather’s badge to Rob McConnell, who received it on behalf of the colony at McGill Beta Ball II, March 1987.
Brother, we cannot but think of you You who let the Beta Stars shine through Everlasting dedication which this gathering commemorates The Beta Spirit was within you That which we can never replicate Your red bandanna was worn over rugged blond hair Surely Betas shall never forget the energy that emerged from there. The Incomparable Mentor Shall Trustfully Initiate Lifelong Exemplary Service. The bonds of friendship are the roots of our memories But the sadness is what lies in our hearts. For now we are too distant For now we are apart. For it cannot be but true that Betas young and old Are called to come join Wooglin’s dearest eternal fold. — 263 —
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Notice the acrostic formed by the words of the third stanza. The song, the service and the memorial tree and plaque all bore eloquent testimony to the great fraternal love which the Beta brothers of the McGill colony bore toward each other. It’s often been said that the brotherhood and affection of Beta Theta Pi are unique in the fraternity world. In those early days, the McGill colony already generated an intensity of spirit, brotherhood and affection unique even within our Great and Good fraternity. This sad and tragic event carried the brotherhood to even greater heights. For all those involved at the time, the death of Brother Stiles was a truly pivotal experience in their growth into brotherhood. Years later, one of the founders was to say that the death of Tim Stiles was a perfect example of life’s ability to bring forth good effects from the most heart-rending tragedies. That experience continued to enrich the growth of the McGill Colony through its second year on full colony status. Meanwhile, the colony now found itself in a new district of the Fraternity. The expanding District III had become too large for one district chief to oversee with the arrival of the McGill colony and the new provisional colony at Bishop’s University. The eastern wing, originally referred to as District III A, now became District XXXVIII, with Dale R. “Bud” Beatty, Michigan State ’86, as district chief. Unfortunately, Bud Beatty was unable to do much as district chief before a career move took him out of the district. In the fall of 2007, the colony’s brothers received an informal visit from Beta Theta Pi General Secretary B. Hume Morris, Center ’68. He was
The founding brothers and their advisors meet with B. Hume Morris.
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impressed by the quality of the group of young men and the strides they were taking toward chartering. Another big factor in the next year was the first McGill “chapter house.” To use that title was really stretching the meaning of the phrase! The house was actually one half of a double house in the old Montreal tradition, with one apartment occupying the lower two floors, and another on the upper two floors. The Betas had the upper house, with living space for six men. It was a less than ideal arrangement, to say the least, as the Betas’ “living room” was directly above the bedrooms of the lower apartment. This meant that there would be complaints about the smallest amount of noise — even a quiet late night conversation was enough to set the phone ringing angrily! All the same, it was a house, a headquarters, and a base for operations. It was ideally located at 3581 Durocher Street in the five-by-three block residential area known as the “McGill Ghetto,” immediately east of the campus. The Beta colony had a higher profile right away as a result of locating in this area. The men expanded their profile even further by involving themselves in a wide range of sports and service on campus. In many cases, the Beta brothers occupied leading positions on the executives of these bodies. They also took a leading role in the IFC, holding several executive posts and taking a large and active role in IFC-sponsored events. These included blood drives and a fundraising drive for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. There were a number of philanthropic ventures which the colony organized independently as well. During all of this activity, future growth plans continued to build. Two more recruitments led to two more excellent pledge classes, and by the end of the 1987-88 school year the colony membership had grown to 33. Furthermore, they were not just any 33 men. Serge Robinette, as recruitment chairman, said it best in the charter petition: Our belief in attracting quality gentlemen instead of quantities of mediocrity remains steadfast.
One of the best yardsticks of that quality was the colony’s academic record. In the 1987-88 school year, the men had a collective GPA of 2.97. Scores for the individual brothers ranged from 2.00 to 3.65. The really noteworthy statistic, though, is this one: 16 of the 33 brothers had a GPA of 3.00 or higher, in a school known for its strict academic demands. Here, obviously, was a group of men whose devotion to the cultivation of the intellect was considerable! — 265 —
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All of these achievements made a very noteworthy track record when the time came for the charter petition. The petition itself was, and remains, an impressive document. One of its more interesting sections is devoted to “Beta Traditions at McGill.” This shows that the colony was already keenly aware of how firmly future growth is rooted in past success. The McGill colony came to petition for its charter at the 149th General Convention in 1988 in Toronto. It seemed appropriate that this convention should charter a new Canadian chapter while sitting in a Canadian city. It was the first convention held in Canada since 1966. It was also attended by more Canadian Beta brothers than any other convention before that time. None were prouder, though, than the men of the McGill colony as General Secretary B. Hume Morris, Centre ’68, announced to them that they would henceforth be known as the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi. He then went on to announce that the men of McGill were losing something as well as gaining something, since their erstwhile chapter counsellor, Walter Massey, was now to be the new chief of District XXXVIII. This announcement was greeted with loud approval by the McGill brothers! After all the hard work of the chartering drive, one might have expected a wild and noisy blast of a party. The celebration of the McGill Betas was entirely typical of the new chapter. It was a quiet gathering in the back garden of Ian Palm’s Toronto home. The men were happy to have attained their long-sought objective — but something was missing, and they all knew what that was: one of their Founding Fathers. Tim Stiles was very much on their minds. More than one said that he felt that Tim was very close to them at that moment. And so the Betas sang “Tim’s Song” quietly, in that peaceful garden, by the light of the Beta Stars.
The McGill Chapter chartering announcement at the 149th General Convention
One other noteworthy thing occurred on that day. The men of the McGill chapter pledged to themselves that they would crown their first full year as a chapter by
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winning the Sisson Award. This had only been done by one chapter before. They also vowed that, when they won this Sisson Award, it would be only the first in a long line of consecutive Sissons. The way in which the McGill Betas set out to make that vow come true was entirely characteristic of them. The official installation of the McGill University chapter, the Epsilon Nu of Beta Theta Pi, took place on March 18, 1989. The Queen Elizabeth Hotel resounded with Beta songs, speeches, snaps, applause and not a few tears. The charter was presented by B. Hume Morris. The installing officer was William N. Palm, Toronto ’61, father of Ian Palm, McGill ’87, one of the chapter’s Founding Fathers. When the time came for the brothers to sign their chapter roll book, a very strong round of snaps and applause greeted this statement by acting Administrative Secretary John “G.Q.” Schaller, Ball State ’85: Timothy Edward Stiles, you are Number One on the official roll of the Epsilon Nu Chapter of Beta Theta Pi.
The applause was followed by a few seconds of total silence from all present.
Chapter President Ram Padmanabhan receives the charter from B. Hume Morris.
The banquet’s emotional highlight was the presentation, by Ken Stiles and family, of a trophy in Tim’s memory, the Timothy Stiles memorial award. It was to be given each year to the Beta brother of the McGill Chapter who best exemplified the fraternal ideals by which Tim Stiles strove so hard to live. Immediately after the presentation of the trophy to Ian Palm, the brothers of the chapter gathered once again to sing “Tim’s Song.”
Like any new chapter, Epsilon Nu was given generous gifts from a number of Beta alumni and sister chapters. The gift presentations were announced by Hume Morris, who also gave the stirring keynote speech. Brother Morris’ reputation as a great Beta orator was amply confirmed as he worked on the theme of the new chapter’s motto: “For the Sake of Victory.”
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The chartering of the McGill chapter was indeed a notable victory for Beta Theta Pi, which had sought for many years to establish itself at McGill. The first few years of the new chapter’s life would amply confirm that chartering at McGill was a major step forward for our Great and Good Fraternity.
The head table party at the Installation Banquet
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The String of Sissons In the fall of 1998, the McGill chapter moved into a chapter house owned
by the University. On a campus where fraternities were not given full University sanction and recognition, this was quite an achievement. Add the fact that the previous tenants, another fraternity chapter, had left the house in a total shambles and the Betas’ achievement becomes a stunning coup!
It would have been hard to find a house better situated for a fraternity chapter. On the right side of University Street, halfway up the hill, the chapter’s new home sat across from the edge of the McGill campus, and right on the edge of the McGill Ghetto. Groups of students travelling to and from classes would pass by the Beta house each day. The groundwork for this deal was laid in the spring of 1988, when the men realized that the house, known colloquially as “the Red Door” for obvious reasons, would soon be up for rent. The University did not need it at that time. With the assistance of some alumni, the men were able to negotiate a one-year lease with an option to renew. The University made it plain that they expected better things from the Betas than from the former tenants. This was a situation made to order for the “can-do” mentality of the Epsilon Nu Chapter. Within a few short months, massive cleaning was undertaken. Collages of photo material covering the walls were laboriously scraped off. Holes in walls and ceilings were patched with care. Floors were sanded, washed and scoured. Bathrooms were scrubbed. The “Red Door” still looked like an old house which had been abused in the past, but it was cleaner than it had been in years.
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To say that the University was impressed would be an understatement. Soon the housing office was going over plans for complex renovations with chapter representatives, and negotiating a long-term lease. The plan called for a twostage rebuild of the house, spread over the course of two summers, so that the chapter could continue to live and work in the house during the school years. All of this work on the “Red Door” was in addition to the regular operations of the chapter and its activities. Soon to that were The house at 3647 University Street. (photo taken in 2006) to be added the preparations for the Installation Banquet. And, of course, nobody had forgotten that oath to secure the Sisson Award for the chapter! The Installation Banquet itself had a rather odd feel to it. It was set for March 1989, and by that time, Epsilon Nu had been running as a chapter de facto for almost an entire academic year. The installation was thrilling, as all such events are, but it felt more like a ratification of “what already is” than a conferring of “what is about to be.” This feeling was partly because the chapter had already received and used several of its gifts, including the Massey Badge, a Loving Cup and a set of officer robes for ritual use. That didn’t stop everyone from having a good time! In truth, the chapter had already proven its supreme fitness as a top-rank chapter of Beta Theta Pi. When the chapter was formally installed, it was also appointed for a few months to serve as the official sponsoring chapter of the colony down the road at Bishop’s University, then preparing its own charter petition. This action by the General Fraternity spoke highly of the quality of the new Epsilon Nu Chapter. The Fraternity’s high opinion of McGill was reaffirmed at the Sesqui-Centenary General Convention in Oxford, Ohio, when McGill was presented with a Sisson Award. Only once before in the history of the Sisson Awards had a first-year chapter won, and there were still many chapters which had never won a Sisson at all. The brothers did it all “for the sake of victory,” and the Sisson was the crowning proof that they were indeed on the right track. — 270 —
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During the summer of 1989, the University went to work on 3647 University, and by the time the Betas were ready to move in, the “Red Door” wasn’t red any more. And that was only the beginning of the changes! There was a great deal of needed work done on the interior to make it better than sub-marginally livable, but this was only the first — and not the largest — phase of the renovations. The brothers could all look forward to a completely top-to-bottom new house the following year. In 1989, Epsilon Nu reaffirmed its strong commitment to scholarship by creating a new chapter scholastic award. In addition to the award for the highest GPA in the chapter, there was now also an award for the most improved GPA. The year’s end saw Epsilon Nu once again post a chapter average GPA over 3.0, to the delight of everyone. During the 1989-90 school year, the chapter not only maintained its own winning ways, but also took on, as sponsoring chapter, the task of pledging and training the founding pledge class of the new colony at Carleton University. There grew a close and firm friendship between these two groups of Beta brothers, different though their respective schools were. A remarkable event in November 1989 was marked by a photo and story sent to The Beta Theta Pi along with the chapter report. In that month, Robert Palm, McGill ’94, was initiated into the chapter, thereby becoming the fifth member of a Beta dynasty. It had begun with his grandfather, William Palm, Toronto ’33¸and his father William Jr., Toronto ’61. To that list had since been added older brothers Ian, McGill ’87, and Doug, Guelph ’90. All five Betas of the Palm family were present to pose for a group photograph with the Loving Cup.
The five Beta Palms, November 1989. L to R: Doug, William Sr., Rob, William Jr., and Ian
The Beta chapter at McGill continued to dominate the Greek scene on campus, in scholastic results, in intramural athletics, and in other activities. The pledge classes, for both quantity and quality, were the pride of the Betas
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and the despair of their competitors. Many might have felt that McGill’s winning of a second Sisson Award in 1990 was a foregone conclusion, but the chapter left nothing to chance and did far more than the Sisson criteria required — which is really the way to make sure. It worked. In all, the chapter won the Sisson Award four years running — a record for consecutive Sisson Awards which was unequalled in Canada at the time. The summer of 1990 brought on the second — and far larger — phase of renovations to the house. When the brothers returned in the fall of that year, they entered a new house. The interior had been gutted to the bare structural beams and completely rebuilt, and the totally new layout produced bedrooms on all the floors except the basement. Throughout the house, everything was new and sparkling — paint, plaster, tiling, floors, plumbing, windows, doors, lights, an intercom system — and everything was in a different location than it had been the year before. Former residents and visitors alike found the new layout disorienting, and familiarization training seemed to be needed! The one real drawback was the lack of a proper chapter hall. The TV lounge was too small, and an awkward shape, while the games room was big enough (apart from the pool table), but hardly secure, being right by the front door. A tree in memory of Tim Stiles was planted in front of the house, with a commemorative stone plaque. The various charters, plaques, awards and the framed painting in memory of Tim were hung in the lounge (along with Tim’s shingle) and the Betas were home.
The plaque next to the memorial tree in front of 3647 University Street
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In February 1991, a bizarre mischance occurred. It might have had dire adverse effects on a chapter in a school with university control over fraternities. During the initiation weekend held that month, many pledges and actives were suddenly and violently taken ill. One pledge, with a history of stomach ulcers, began to vomit blood and had to be taken to the hospital at the top of the hill in an ambulance. The next day, those brothers and pledges who were well enough climbed the steep and muddy slope behind the hospital to serenade their unwell pledge brother from outside the window of his room. Then they went in to visit him in twos and threes. Eventually the outbreak of sickness was traced to a bacterial infection in the city water supply, stemming from work on the water and sewer pipes outside the house a day or two earlier. Even so, the ambulance outside the Beta house during initiation weekend could have been very bad news. One can picture the newspaper headlines about hazing, which the Montreal newspapers might have printed if the university had official supervision of the chapter, and exercised it in a public way before the cause of the outbreak became known. Another winning school year, with the new house as the prime motivator to renewed levels of fraternal energy, led to a third Sisson Award. There was also the satisfaction of seeing the Carleton colony successfully push through its petition and receive chapter status. On the surface, one would have thought that Epsilon Nu was the very picture of a successful chapter. The great irony here is that the beautiful new house was to become one of the causes of Epsilon Nu’s eventual downfall. Some would even call it the prime cause. The lease negotiated with the university was for a five-year period, and was written with an automatic escalator clause in the rent each year. At the time the deal was struck, the rent increases were below the prevailing rate of inflation. However, as inflation rates declined, the rent hikes became increasingly onerous. Other factors were also at work, and the unfortunate combination of these factors would, in a few years, cause one of Beta’s best and brightest young chapters to collapse and vanish. By early 1992, there were already signs that this was not the same chapter that had been chartered in such a blaze of glory only two years earlier. Admittedly, that year brought the fourth consecutive Sisson award. But changes were taking place. The chapter’s report to The Beta Theta Pi spoke of changes in the personality of — 273 —
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the chapter. That change in the overall tone of Epsilon Nu became a sore spot with many of the alumni. More than one spoke of the decline of the chapter into a mere drinking society. Like most graduated Betas, the alumni of the McGill chapter would have liked to see the chapter remain exactly as it had been in their time. In one sense this is, of course, never possible. Of necessity, the chapter will change as the times and society of the university itself change. In another way, though, it might have been more beneficial if the brothers had remained true to the controlling vision of the founders, summed up in the classic phrase “not the Labatt’s Frat.” This point was underlined in February 1992 when a copy of an Epsilon Nu poster was faxed to the Administrative Office in Oxford. The poster advertised an upcoming party with the bold words, “All U Can Drink.” Risk Management Coordinator Todd Johnson, Iowa ’90, had to send a letter to the chapter pointing out that this advertisement clearly contradicted the policy on risk management which had been enacted by the undergraduate delegates at the General Convention. The chapter was immediately required to institute a full and detailed risk management program, and all undergraduate members were required to sign a statement of compliance. Contact with the alumni declined as the chapter moved away from the kind of chapter they had known. The number of active brothers also declined. In the fall of 1992, the chapter managed to recruit only five new members, a far cry from the larger pledge classes of earlier years. Plainly, a lot of work was needed on recruitment and pledging, and the chapter certainly knew it. As contact with the alumni lessened, a pool of former experience was lost. The situation was not all bad news, of course. The chapter hosted a unique social event in the fall of 1992: “a croquet game on the reservoir,” held as a mixer with Kappa Kappa Gamma. No, the words “on the reservoir” are not a misprint! The reservoir in question, just across the way from the Beta house, is roofed over and the roof covered with grass so that it looks at a glance like a large flat lawn. Of course, it wasn’t just the location that was unique; croquet is not one of the more frequently-played games among modern university students. The Betas and the Kappa Kappa Gammas turned out in sparkling whites, and a good time was had by all. During the 1992-1993 school year, there was a great deal of philanthropic work going on, including a ski-a-thon and a hot tub inside a snow sculpture of a — 274 —
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The croquet game on the reservoir, 1992
fire truck, done to raise money for the Starlight Foundation for terminally ill children. Darren Tangen, McGill ’95, organized a program of visits to patients in the Royal Victoria Hospital after his own experience there as a pledge. Robert Palm, McGill ’93, took the lead at the IFC in coordinating the philanthropic efforts of all the Greek societies to maximize everyone’s efforts. Academics continued to fare well too, with a completely overhauled and updated test bank and a cumulative 3.1 GPA – a significant achievement at McGill. The chapter showed a high degree of social awareness with another event held in December 1992. The Betas hosted a workshop on awareness of sexual assault and “date rape.” A portion of the workshop was filmed by CBC-TV for a later documentary on the subject. With this event, the chapter continued its proud tradition of paying heed to the pressing social issues of the day. By this time the rent for the house had climbed dramatically, thanks to the escalation clause built into the lease. It was ironic that, even as the rent went up, the inflation rate declined. Add to that the difficulties that many members found in trying to land summer jobs, and the result was predictable. It became harder and harder to get men to live in the house. Increasingly, the beautifully-renovated facility — which had seemed at first like a gift to the chapter — came to be looked on as an millstone around Epsilon Nu’s neck. As well, the brothers gradually realized that many of the expensive University-sponsored renovations had only served to paper over the cracks. The house remained an old house, with sagging walls and beams and old water pipes. — 275 —
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Cracks appeared in the walls in several places. During the winter of 1993-94 there were two floods in the basement, caused by bursting of inadequatelyinsulated water pipes during the prolonged and extreme cold conditions of that season. Never had the phrase “cold snap” seemed so appropriate. The problem of the house certainly had a major effect on recruitment. In the spring of 1993, almost half of the active chapter graduated, but only seven new men came in to replace them. In 1994, the ratio of graduates to initiates became even worse. Suddenly, the proud Epsilon Nu Chapter was reduced to a mere 10 brothers! Another factor in this sudden and steep decline was the increase in dues and fees charged by the General Fraternity. Given the times, these increases were largely unavoidable but they did run well ahead of the rate of inflation. Meanwhile, the Canadian dollar was sinking to record low levels against the U.S. dollar. Since all dues were payable to the General Fraternity in U.S. dollars, the overall situation was worsened by the exchange rate crisis. Any young man might well think twice, or thrice, or even more, before making such a large financial commitment in such uncertain times. The tone within the chapter was deteriorating as well. There were some members who wanted to try to maintain the traditional quality of Epsilon Nu, but they were a minority and had to struggle to make any headway against the prevailing apathy. The men who were content to drift with the tide tended to dominate decision-making. Brothers were allowed to get away with non-payment of dues and initiation fees. The chapter drifted further into trouble and debt. This drift was all the more galling when a tragic event in June 1994 proved that the chapter still had “the right stuff,” Beta style. In that month, William Traynor, McGill ’94, died in an accidental fall. Inevitably, many brothers were reminded of Tim Stiles, and it seemed both ironic and unfair that McGill, alone among the newer Canadian chapters, should have had to endure such a tragedy not just once but twice. The brothers of the chapter planned to place a memorial tree and plaque in Will’s name on the campus. During the next few months, Lorenzo Ferri, McGill ’92, led a fundraising campaign among the alumni for that purpose. In March 1993, Walter Massey, MIT ’51, moved the chapter to troubled status with the concurrence of General Secretary Vince del Pizzo, Missouri ’63. The letter announcing the change in status included a detailed list of slippages in — 276 —
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many areas of chapter operations. But for Massey, the biggest factor was the chapter’s refusal to work with its financial advisor, J. Ross Peters, British Columbia ’58. Peters was an experienced banker whose help could have been highly beneficial, but the chapter continually brushed him off so determinedly that he finally gave up in disgust. Soon afterward, Massey also decided to retire as district chief. His successor, Sheldon Laporte, Carleton ’92, soon ran into difficulties which forced him to move out of the district. He was then compelled to try to run District XXXVIII from Toronto. It would not become apparent until much later, but the men of Epsilon Nu found it easier to deceive a distant district chief than one who lived down the street! No doubt, this was not always their intention, but there certainly were things that neither Laporte nor his equally-distant successor, the author, were ever told until it was too late. The altered tone of the times was indicated by the chapter’s report to The Beta Theta Pi in the Spring 1994 issue, which included this statement: Those days are gone. We don’t dominate campus life anymore.... We no longer exist to impress, but to have fun.
To every Beta who had worked so hard to build a quality chapter at McGill, these words came as a deliberate affront, a slap in the face. It turned out that the brother who wrote the report did so without any input from others in the chapter, but the damage had been done. A number of alumni withdrew their support altogether. At the end of the 1993-94 school year, the chapter moved out of 3647 University Avenue for the last time. Breaking the lease was deemed to be a lesser evil than being stuck for another year with what one brother called “a real money pit.” The university, in any case, was ready to use the property in the way it had planned all along: as a residence for graduate students. It’s doubtful if the chapter would have been allowed to renew when the lease expired in 1995, even if it had wished to do so. The problem was that no replacement house was available. Housing has always been hard to find, and therefore expensive, in the limited space of the “McGill Ghetto.” The Betas looked at a couple of properties, but none was affordable for a chapter with a mere 10 active brothers. This placed the chapter in the unenviable position of trying to improve its status and increase its membership with no — 277 —
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headquarters visibly close to the campus. Add this difficulty to the general and overall decline of interest in Greek-letter fraternities at McGill University, and the true peril of the chapter could be readily seen.
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The End Without doubt, the saddest day in the history of Beta Theta Pi in Canada,
up to that date, was the day that the McGill University chapter, the Epsilon Nu of Beta Theta Pi, closed its doors. No chapter in Canada had ever closed before, even briefly, although there were one or two near misses. The closest Canadian Betas had ever come to such a situation was the closure of the Brock colony. The worst aspect of the McGill collapse was that it was so unnecessary. In a sense, this is true of every chapter that shuts down. In this case, only a few minor differences in the times, the people involved, or the location might have kept the chapter alive and well.
In the wake of McGill’s downfall, there were many who tried to level blame for the end of a once-promising chapter. Some blamed the current undergraduates. Some blamed the General Fraternity. Some blamed the chapter’s alumni. There were not a few who blamed themselves. In retrospect, it would be more realistic to say that a whole series of factors unfortunately coincided to bring about Epsilon Nu’s collapse. In this mixture of elements, the role of any one individual, either to accept blame or to stave off the end, was naturally limited. One of the most critical elements in the situation was the attitude of certain members of the chapter. During the last couple of years, it seemed almost as though the majority of the brothers didn’t care whether the chapter lived or died. It was astonishing how often some of the men insisted that the chapter’s survival came first with them, but they continued doing the same things that were bringing the chapter to the brink of collapse. A “reality check,” for some of the brothers, was long overdue.
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Some men of the chapter had become notably blasé and unrealistic about their situation, and this was especially true of their debt. By the end of the 1993-94 school year, Epsilon Nu’s debt to the General Fraternity had swelled to more than US $5,000. It was one of the two or three highest debt loads in the entire Fraternity, especially when calculated on a per capita basis. Yet, some of the brothers actually seemed to hope that the General Fraternity might forgive the entire amount! The basis of their reasoning was that this was old debt, run up by their predecessors in the chapter, and they shouldn’t have to bear the weight of past errors in judgment. Needless to say, the General Fraternity (with its own financial health at stake) could not afford to wipe out the debt. Yet the men of the chapter actually sent their delegation to the 1994 General Convention with a proposal to do just that. The men who attended the convention quickly realized, to their credit, that this idea was not going to fly. They withdrew their original proposal. In its place they worked out with the chapters committee a payment plan spread over seven months, beginning in October 1994. This would require a monthly payment of US$823 in order to reduce the debt. As long as all payments were met, no new interest would be accrued on the old debt — the Fraternity’s gesture of good faith in the chapter. At the same time, though, the chapter would have to maintain all current General Fraternity billings in good status. It was a challenging prospect to say the least. This plan was accepted by the convention. In that year, there were so many chapters in deep hot water over finances that McGill’s case provoked no major comment, apart from a few Beta brothers who cared deeply about this chapter but had not been kept informed as to the depth of its troubles. As the Convention ended, the chapter — now on troubled status — had no choice but to try to live up to the payment plan. The big question in the minds of all concerned was the issue of feasibility. With all the other problems, how could McGill, with its small number of truly active members, hope to raise all that money? Plainly, the 1994-95 school year would be a critical one. Plainly, too, leadership was be crucial. Only a strong leader could convince the members to put all their efforts into repaying this huge debt, with no prospect of any immediate reward for themselves. The man who accepted this huge challenge was Marc Cernovitch, McGill ’96. Actually, he had been elected treasurer, but he went far beyond the simple bookkeeping that most people see as the treasurer’s role. Marc became the — 280 —
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financial conscience and motivator of the chapter, arguing to convince all the brothers to shoulder their burden together. The brothers rewarded his efforts by voting him that year’s winner of the Timothy Stiles Memorial Award. In 1995, as the new chapter president, he redoubled his efforts. The men continued to support him. With one notable exception, all the members tightened their belts and dug in. The exception was one brother who, after promising for months to pay his fees, finally refused to pay. His excuse was that he didn’t feel he should have to pay as there was no fun to be had in the Beta chapter any more. Happily, this man’s selfish attitude remained an exception to the rule, at least where payments were concerned. The General Fraternity had also contributed its assistance by funding a Tutorin-Residence at McGill. The TIR grant was awarded to a graduate student who could offer assistance and guidance to the chapter in need. The General Fraternity placed Greg MacKenzie, Western Ontario ’92, in this key role. With an advisor on-site, there was hope for improvement. Seeing that the men were making an effort to turn things around, some alumni of the chapter began to come forward again with offers of assistance. It was too much to hope that the chapter might keep up with the repayment plan. They started the year in September 1994 with only 10 members. Their capacity for fundraising was limited by the small size of the chapter, and by the fact of living in a city with one of the highest costs of living in North America. The members pinned their hopes for the future on a new house in the “McGill Ghetto,” where the brothers could once again maintain a visible profile and conduct a more effective recruitment program. Much time and effort went into pursuing this possibility. Everyone could see that the current situation, with the chapter meeting in a rented house five kilometres from the campus, was no help at all. As the year went on, several promising prospects emerged. In spring of 1995, the chapter was placed on suspension for non-compliance with the payment plan. This was part of the Fraternity’s stringent new standard operating procedure for delinquent chapters, adopted by the 1994 Convention delegates. Even this drastic move did not provoke much complaining among the brothers. They could now see for themselves the seriousness of the situation. The general position appeared somewhat more promising as the chapter reached the end of the 1994-95 academic year. The debt had been reduced to a degree, — 281 —
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and more reductions appeared possible. The chapter had an enthusiastic new president, Walter Bak, McGill ’98. Best of all, there was success on the housing front. The chapter returned for the 1995-96 year sharing a floor of the chapter house of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity on the upper stretch of Peel Street. This fraternity was also experiencing recruitment problems, and the shared quarters arrangement was a practical solution for both groups. With mutual good will, the two chapters made it work for them. There were some real positives during the 1995-96 year. The chapter successfully hosted the annual District XXXVIII conclave in February. The Beta Ball in March was a beautiful function. The highlight of this evening was the dedication of the Walter Massey Beta Spirit trophy for District XXXVIII. This award was to be given annually to the chapter that excelled in all aspects of singing, ritual, living by the Seven Obligations and the Three Great Principles, and so much else that loosely gathers under the umbrella term of “Beta Spirit.” The trophy inscription referred to Brother Massey as “The Bridge-Builder of District XXXVIII,” and there could be no more appropriate words. Another great positive was the ritual initiation of March 1996. Due to the “insecurity” of the shared house, this event took place at a private home in the Laurentian Mountains, north of Montreal. The ritual was performed by firelight in a glass-walled room overlooking a snow-covered and moonlit mountainside. The men of the chapter gave it their all, and the result was one of the finest rituals in the experience of the author. A serious negative factor was the resurgence of the “let-the-president-do-itall” mentality. Marc Cernovitch had, in effect, burned out during the latter part of his term. Now Walter Bak found himself experiencing similar symptoms. Some of the members, with the most good will going for them, were simply overburdened with other commitments. A few returned to the old idea that “we exist only to have fun.” Eventually Walter Bak reached the breaking point. He was offered a scholarship for a year’s exchange work in Thailand, and decided to accept it after seeing no major change in the attitudes of the chapter members. He was replaced by Karl Foy-Cernovitch, McGill ’98. Looking at the graduation dates of these two men, one realizes that the chapter was once again to be guided by a man in his first full year as a member of Beta Theta Pi. That fact alone says much for the difficulties Epsilon Nu was facing. — 282 —
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The key difficulty was the question of numbers. Even with the visible location on campus, recruitment remained disappointing. By this time, the members of the chapter realized that they were, for all practical purposes, restarting the chapter. The breakdown in communication from year to year had been so complete that these men had no idea what they should be doing, nor of what resources and assistance were available to them. But these men were not the same group that had given Epsilon Nu its birth. After the long and dispiriting struggle to try to breathe new life into the chapter, they lacked the same inner fire. Several members had commitments to university sports teams that took them far afield. In June 1996 the Administrative Office staff recommended to the Board of Trustees that the General Convention be asked to close Epsilon Nu. Faced with this recommendation, Karl Foy-Cernovitch consulted with several key members, then notified the district chief (the author) that the chapter was prepared to surrender the charter voluntarily. Given that decision, they decided that Karl need not travel all the way across the continent to Palm Desert for the convention. At the General Convention in August 1996, a last-ditch effort was mounted to save McGill. Michael Riesberry, Bishop’s ’96, and Simon Brazier, Carleton ’98, put together a plan which would see these other two chapters in the district lending support and guidance on a weekly basis, particularly during recruitment. With the assistance of Owen Williams, Toronto ’50, and Steve Becker, Florida ’69, the alumni of Beta Theta Pi across Ontario and Quebec would be asked to contribute to pay off the chapter’s debt. The work done by these brothers was a wonderful demonstration of mutual assistance at its very best. These detailed plans were communicated to the men of McGill in Montreal. Again Karl Foy-Cernovitch consulted his key members, and again affirmed the decision to close the chapter. To all the previous problems a final crushing blow had now been added. The Lambda Chi Alpha house had just been foreclosed by the property management company running it, and all the members living in the house had received eviction notices. These men would be hard-pressed to find even individual places to live for the coming year on such short notice. Any attempt to find some sort of chapter house would be impossible. The chapters committee and the General Convention accepted this decision with much regret. At the same time, the committee commended the men of — 283 —
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the McGill chapter for having the courage, in the highest fraternal tradition of Beta Theta Pi, to surrender their charter of their own free will. The chapter was officially listed at the end of the convention as being “suspended/disbanded,” leaving the door open for a restart at some future date when circumstances would appear to favour such an effort. In late August 1996, the property of the chapter was gathered and taken to Oxford for safe keeping in the archives of Beta Theta Pi. Among the treasured items included were the framed shingle and photo of Timothy Stiles, the Timothy Stiles trophy, the Loving Cup donated by the Toronto chapter, the Presidents’ Plaque and the Massey Badge — the president’s pin of the chapter. Walter Massey decided to donate it to the museum of Beta Theta Pi where it now occupies an honoured place in the diamond badge case. In a generous gesture that perfectly epitomized his Beta Spirit, Brother Massey also promised that, if and when the McGill chapter was restarted, he would personally donate a similar badge to the new chapter for the presidents to wear. Thus, the sad story of the closure of McGill can be ended on a more positive note. Walter Massey was far from being the only Beta brother who intended to see Beta Theta Pi return to the campus on Mount Royal. Our Great and Good Fraternity belongs at McGill University, and one day will resume its rightful place as “the best and the brightest” on the McGill campus.
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PART VIII Bishop’s University Chapter The Epsilon Xi of Beta Theta Pi
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Hard Work in the Corners On the map, it doesn’t look very far away at all. Montreal and the McGill chapter were just 130 kilometres west, Hanover with the Dartmouth chapter about the same distance to the south, the Maine chapter not that much further east. However, if there’s one thing that the story of Beta Theta Pi’s chapter at Bishop’s University proves, it’s that actual distance on the map doesn’t mean nearly as much as an emotional distance in men’s minds and hearts. Admittedly this sounds overwrought, almost melodramatic. Nonetheless, a consistent feeling of isolation was a recurring theme throughout the history of this chapter. There were many reasons for this feeling, some more valid than others, but the reality of the feeling and its effect on the chapter were undeniable. The largest result was a sense that the Bishop’s chapter, right from its beginnings, was waging a life-and-death battle to survive. As in so many other cases, this state of mind became — at many times — a self-fulfilling prophecy. And in the end, the struggle ended in failure. The isolated feeling is built right into the school and its community. Bishop’s University is located in Lennoxville, Quebec — a small school in a small town in the region of Quebec known in English as the Eastern Townships and in French as L’Estrie. The region was settled in the early 19th century by British immigrants, but has since shifted to a predominantly French population. Lennoxville has remained instead a largely English bilingual enclave dominated by larger francophone communities, especially the regional city of Sherbrooke five kilometres away. This is largely due to the University. Bishop’s University is something of an anomaly in more ways than one. It has succeeded in building wide prestige as a — 287 —
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small school in a country which tends to think that bigger universities are better universities. It has survived as an English language institution in a predominantly French region. It draws few students from its surrounding area, and many come from outside the province. Given all these facts, it’s easy to see how a deep sense of isolation could easily take root here. To the Beta pioneers at Bishop’s University, this situation was not a deterrent, but a challenge that they were determined to meet head-on and conquer. Bishop’s University had never had Greek-letter societies. The school has a total enrolment of less than 2,000 (even some secondary schools in Canada are bigger). There were many people around Bishop’s who felt that, in such a small school where one would get to know much of the student body anyway, fraternities were superfluous. They argued that Bishop’s, in and of itself, already provided all the social contact needed. Who could say how many Bishop’s students over the years found that argument to be lacking an essential insight? How many men and women had wished for the stronger roots, the greater sense of belonging, which a fraternal society could provide? The idea of fraternities could very well have been floating around at Bishop’s for quite some time. The specific idea of Beta Theta Pi was brought to the Bishop’s campus by Philip Walker, who pledged the Delta Alpha of Beta Theta Pi at Western Ontario before transferring to Bishop’s. He found an ally at Bishop’s in Peter Neal, whose father was an alumnus of Theta Zeta at Toronto. Walker, Neal, and a number of others formed a group of prospective Betas in the fall of 1986 and laid their plans to petition the General Fraternity. With the assistance of District Chief Rob McConnell, Toronto ’79, contacted through Stan Neal, Toronto ’62, they planned an approach. The Board of Trustees held its fall 1986 meeting in Toronto, to inspect a potential convention site in that city. At that meeting, the Board was surprised to be approached by a group of visitors: a delegation of interested men from — Bishop’s University! Probably the instinctive first reaction was, “Where is that?” Since Bishop’s was a small and out-of-the-way school, it had never figured into any of the lists of expansion plans considered for Canada by successive generations of leading Betas and General Conventions. The Board needed to be filled in on location, but also on details of programs, enrolment, academic status and reputation, scale of endowments and the like.
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Under such conditions, the task of “selling” Beta Theta Pi on a venture at this relatively unknown university might have been tough. One of the founders who was present at this meeting gave most of the credit to Philip Walker for his enthusiasm and forthright manner of addressing the potential problem areas. The Board members were won over by the energy and initiative in planning shown by these men and granted permission for them to call themselves the Bishop’s provisional colony, and to petition for full colony status at the 1987 General Convention. There followed an extremely busy five months for the Founding Fathers. During the brief remainder of the school year, they had to organize their group, draw up a petition for full colony status and work out advance plans for the following year so that they could hit the ground running as soon as full colony status was granted. In much of this work, they benefitted from the guidance of District Chief McConnell. The highlight of this hectic year came on March 28, 1987. The Founding Fathers of the Bishop’s colony, 14 in number, were formally initiated as brothers of Beta Theta Pi by their sponsoring chapter, Delta Alpha of Western Ontario, in a ceremony conducted in Montreal with the assistance of the McGill colony. For many people, the choice of Western Ontario as sponsoring chapter was odd, to say the least. After all, Delta Alpha was some 900 kilometres from its new charge, and there were at least eight chapters (not to mention the McGill colony) that were closer. However, the possibility of McGill acting as sponsor for Bishop’s could not be considered. A colony working on its charter has to strain all its resource to achieve that goal. The additional responsibility for Bishop’s might well have proven fatal to McGill. There was, in fact, one very good reason why Western Ontario made sense: Philip Walker. With his brother active as a member of the Western Ontario chapter, there was a natural link of colony to sponsoring chapter in this case. With their foundations well and truly laid, a delegation of men from the new colony travelled to the Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., to present their bid for full colony status at the 148th General Convention. These Beta go-getters made a most positive impression on all brothers whom they met, and the charters committee willingly endorsed their efforts. The race for the charter formally began. Once again, Beta Theta Pi was pioneering the Greek-letter fraternity on new turf. A Beta colony in such a situation faces additional burdens to those of the normal — 289 —
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colony petitioning for a charter. The group must establish its own credibility as a viable fraternal body (as do all colonies) — and at the same time, must establish the credibility of the entire idea of “fraternity” for itself and all others soon to follow. The Bishop’s men quickly proved themselves on both counts. During the next two years, they amassed an impressive list of “firsts” in their trailblazing role. For two successive years, Betas served as president and two of the four vice-presidents of the student council. Two Betas held positions as council representatives for off-campus residences. Beta brothers served as orientation coordinator, pub manager, and other important campus roles. The fraternity ranked second overall in intramurals. In these early years, the Betas also forged excellent relations with the larger community, and laid the groundwork of a particularly good relationship with the Lennoxville police. The members of the police force even helped with some of the chapter’s charitable work. The list of public service projects became long and impressive indeed: a canned-food drive for Christmas, a town clean-up, Halloween and Christmas hospital visits, a winter carnival, an Easter egg hunt and an alcohol awareness week. All of these events drew favourable comment and support from the media and the community. Amid all this activity, the colony’s members did not neglect their academic work. At the time of chartering, the group had a respectable 2.7 GPA, and several individuals had GPAs above 3.0. The track record of the Bishop’s colony sounded well-nigh perfect. However, there were some problem areas. The isolation of Bishop’s produced a real difficulty in the area of alumni support and chapter advisors: none and none. Lennoxville is such a small community that no one who graduates from Bishop’s remains there, unless they are joining the University faculty. There were no Beta alumni any nearer than Montreal. Only in 1988 did a Beta brother appear on the scene. Mark Conron, Western Ontario ’78, was working in the area and agreed to serve as the colony counsellor. There were also financial problems in the early days, stemming in part from the way the men tried to “do it all,” and also from the lack of a suitable financial expert to offer guidance to the treasurer. However, by the time of chartering, these problems had been overcome. The members of the colony had learned — the hard way — how not to organize their finances. There were also a few Beta alumni ready with advice and assistance, even if given from a distance. District — 290 —
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Chief Walter Massey II, MIT ’51, was another important figure in the colony’s life, and the good advice he provided in the course of his frequent road trips from Montreal was a major factor in the colony’s success. The Bishop’s colony also managed to acquire a rented house — of a sort. The ramshackle building on College Street, just west of the campus, predated the invention of insulation, and seemed to have been designed with windows and doors deliberately ill-fitted to their openings. The heating bills, in a typically chilly Eastern Townships winter, were horrendous. Still, it at least gave the colony a central focal point for its operations and activities. During the 1988-89 school year, the colony sought out their fellow colonists at McGill in Montreal for advice and brotherly interaction. As different as the two colonies were in tone, they found common ground in Beta matters and a fruitful relationship grew. This was well-proven in the spring of 1989. The sponsoring chapter at Western Ontario had fallen into difficulties, and needed to give full time and A group of new initiates outside the chapter house, 1988 attention to sorting out its own affairs. As soon as the McGill chapter was officially chartered in March 1989, the sponsorship of Bishop’s was transferred to McGill, although only for a few short months. All in all, the Bishop’s colony seemed to be a shining example of the “right stuff,” Beta style, when it presented its petition for charter. And while it was only by a coincidence that Bishop’s happened to reach this stage when it did, there could be no doubt of the special thrill that it gave the men of the latest Canadian Beta venture. How many chapters could say that they had been granted their charters at the 150th Anniversary Sesqui-Centenary Convention of the Fraternity held in Oxford, Ohio? The answer was: only four. And Bishop’s was one of them. It was a memorable scene on the evening of August 5, 1989, when the General Convention was called to order in Millett Hall in Oxford, Ohio. And the
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Betas from Bishop’s weren’t there to see it! They’d left their departure to the latest possible moment because of the perennial problem of missing time at summer jobs in order to attend the convention. Then, in a perfect example of the application of Fetridge’s Law (important things that are supposed to happen, don’t, and always at the most awkward moment), one of their two rented motor homes broke down en route! This was a much bigger problem than just the embarrassment of being late. The delegates on the charters committee were beginning their deliberations that first evening, and wanted to meet the Bishop’s delegation right away. The only men available to meet with them were two brothers who had already graduated from the chapter, and several supporting alumni from Toronto who, together with the district chief, knew little enough of what the committee wanted to ask. Fortunately, the two motor homes drew up outside the hall just as this improvised meeting was about to begin. The men of the committee agreed to wait for another 15 minutes or so while the travel-weary Bishop’s delegation cleaned up and changed. The committee actually held a double session, questioning the men from Bishop’s at some length that night, and then continuing with other areas of concern the following morning. The men from Lennoxville were a little unnerved by the scale and scope of the questioning. Actually, though, it reflected much the same reaction shown by the Board of Trustees when first approached in 1986. Where and what was Bishop’s University, and was it worthy of a Beta chapter? It was a case of giving the committee members a chance to come to terms of familiarity with an unusual school in an unusual situation. Finally, the committee decided that the idea of a Beta chapter at Bishop’s University was a workable one, and presented to the convention session its recommendation that the charter be granted.
Walter Massey and the Bishop’s delegation before the 150th General Convention after the charter vote
The Bishop’s colony was awarded its charter by a unanimous vote, and the men celebrated by posing with a huge Canadian flag in front of their motor homes outside Millett Hall. It
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was a special moment for Bishop’s, and for Beta Theta Pi in Canada. This colony had achieved its success in apparent defiance of everything that makes a Beta chapter “go.” A new chapter had been successfully placed at a small school with no fraternity tradition, in a country where the fraternity tradition is, in any case, not very strong. It was located far distant from its sponsoring chapters and other sister chapters. The colony had been conceived locally, and not as an initiative of the Fraternity. It had next to no local or resident alumni support. No wonder the Bishop’s Bishop’s brothers celebrate in front of their motorhome outside Betas referred to themselves as Millett Hall after the charter vote. “Beta pioneers,” and placed the significant words “Still Pioneering” on the cover of their charter petition. On December 9, 1989, the Bishop’s University chapter, the Epsilon Xi of Beta Theta Pi, was formally granted its charter at an Installation Banquet held in the Queen Elizabeth Hotel in central Montreal. As the McGill installation had been held in the same hotel only nine months earlier, the place was beginning to feel a bit like Canadian Beta central! The charter was officially presented by Bruce Lloyd, Brown ’80/Pennsylvania ’77, General Treasurer of the Fraternity. Brother Lloyd’s speech broke new ground in Canadian Beta tradition by containing sections both in English and in French. District Chief Walter Massey, MIT ’51, presented the chapter with a door plate, a gavel, and a crown-set President’s Badge modelled on the historic Massey Badge given to McGill. A number of other generous gifts were made by other Beta chapters and brothers, and the newest Canadian chapter of Beta Theta Pi had been well and truly launched. The new chapter’s coat of arms depicts the bishop’s crosier and mitre which are symbols of the university. The chapter motto uses this symbol as a useful point of departure, since the Greek word for “assembly” is also the word for “church.” That motto is “The Assembly of Friendship.” With this motto as its basis, the — 293 —
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General Treasurer Bruce Lloyd presents the charter to Chapter President Eric Tardif.
Officers form the Mystic Circle at the installation ceremony.
chapter could not go far wrong. As long as the members continued to assemble their best efforts under the banner of unsullied friendship and unfaltering fidelity, then Epsilon Xi at Bishop’s University would be a success. And the men appeared to be determined to do just that. Although the new chapter faced all the usual problems stemming from what is usually and kindly called the “post-charter slump,” not to mention the ongoing problems of distance and lack of local advisors, no one doubted their ability to handle these problems and emerge on top. Who could have predicted, on that night in December 1989, that less than three years later, the chapter would be hanging on the ropes, its very survival in jeopardy?
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Tough Sledding It has often and justly been said that the undergraduates of Beta Theta Pi are
engaged in running a business. It is a business called “Fraternity Chapter,” but it is nonetheless a business, and must be run in a businesslike manner. Few businesses go up as quickly as did the Bishop’s University chapter of Beta Theta Pi. For that matter, few businesses have ever come down as quickly after an initial period of such striking success. A fraternity chapter has even less continuity than most business operations, and even greater care is needed to guard and protect what continuity does exist. Consider: how many businesses suffer a total and complete turnover of staff within every four-year period, with a complete changeover of senior management — in most cases — yearly? In the Bishop’s situation, these facts were compounded by the twin hazards of distance and lack of local alumni support. The lack of alumni became total again when Mark Conron moved to the west coast to take up a new career. Many dedicated Betas made strenuous efforts to fill the gap. Chapter alumni, many now located in the Toronto area, tried to offer their support and advice. The district chief looked in as often as he could. Senior alumni from other chapters tried to help. The McGill chapter continued lending brotherly support from Montreal. But trouble was not far away, despite all the offers of assistance. In retrospect, the first hint that all was not proceeding according to plan came when the hoped-for Sisson Award application did not materialize in 1990. At the time of the chartering dinner, Chapter President Eric Tardif, Bishop’s ’90, had stated that the winning of a Sisson Award was one of the chapter’s priorities for its first full year. In this, they sought to emulate the success of McGill. When asked about the Sisson application, the men replied that they had simply “not gotten around to doing it.” — 295 —
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What was setting in here was the familiar malaise of “post-charter slump.” In any new chapter this is a normal risk. The founders and colonists work hard for a period of two to three years to achieve their ambition of chapterhood. Once this is achieved, there often follows a sense of not knowing what to do next. There will be those in the chapter who sweated out the final stages of the chartering race and now want to relax and enjoy the fruits of victory. The phrase, “Now we’re just going to have fun,” is commonly heard. There may be others who want to keep things running at a high level, but aren’t sure how to go about it. Soon, a general lack of direction and focus leads to a subtle malaise among the members of the chapter. There’s also the common feeling that a Sisson Award just doesn’t provide the same high degree of motivation that the goal of a charter provides! For a while, all appeared to be going fairly well at Bishop’s. The pledge classes were of adequate size, but not overly huge — and not as big as the large class of 20 taken by the colony in its chartering year. The philanthropic work of the chapter continued — but never quite as many projects or as ambitious projects as those of earlier years. The chapter also continued pursuing the goal of decent housing. By now, it had tried several different rented houses in various locations. What the chapter really wanted, though, was a house that belonged to Beta. In 1989-90 the Bishop’s chapter attempted to raise money for this goal through a mailing to brothers continent-wide. The results were almost non-existent. Meanwhile, signs of difficulty were growing under the surface. In 1991, there was a closely-contested presidential election — and a great deal of complaining about the results among many of the brothers. Chapter unity was weakening. It was no help at all when the winning president changed his career plans over the summer, and decided to leave the university to pursue his new goals. He also decided not to attend the 1991 General Convention as chapter delegate. It was alleged that no members of the chapter heard any word of his decisions until after the convention was over. Warning signs about these unhealthy changes were already being seen as early as November 1990. In that month, not even a whole year after the chartering banquet, Chapter Management Consultant Paul Puckett, East Carolina ’89, reported that the chapter was experiencing financial and other difficulties. The — 296 —
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chapter had bills to pay totalling more than twice the amounts due to be paid to it by members. There was no sign of risk management process, and very little singing happening. Puckett’s overall assessment was that the chapter was generally just marking time, but not moving forward or improving in any meaningful way. This assessment was repeated a year later by another chapter management consultant, Bill Logie, Western Ontario ’91. Logie stated that problems which had set in after chartering were now becoming extreme on many fronts, and that organization was the chapter’s greatest weakness. The only party which could finally bring the chapter to face up to its difficulties was the General Fraternity, and it was the General Fraternity which — in 1992 — blew the whistle on Bishop’s. When the full extent of the disaster became known, at the 1992 General Convention, it struck the various parties who had tried to assist the chapter with all the force of a bomb. In that year, the Bishop’s chapter finished the season owing more than $4,000 to the General Fraternity. This might not seem like a huge sum in larger or older-established chapters, but in a young chapter of this size, it was a shocker. How had the finances of the chapter gotten so far out of hand? In the weeks and months leading up to and following after the 1992 General Convention, many fingers were pointed, names were named, and the Seven Obligations were sadly relegated to last place on a number of occasions by many of those involved. Everyone had a theory as to why the finances had collapsed. Many of the allegations were of a criminal nature, and none of the theories were provable or indeed ever proven. The General Fraternity, as required by the Code, declared the chapter to be “not in good standing” due to the outstanding bills. This meant that the chapter was not entitled to a vote at the convention, a situation which frustrated the delegate. However, there wasn’t much manoeuvring room for anyone in this situation. For some years the numbers of chapters owing money to the General Fraternity (and the amounts owed) had been steadily increasing. For the good of the whole brotherhood, debts would have to be repaid quickly and in full. Any other course would weaken the financial standing of the whole Fraternity. The 1992 Convention’s chapters committee placed the Bishop’s chapter on troubled status, and the committee on General Fraternity finance imposed a repayment plan lasting two years. The plan required full repayment of the old debts, while keeping all current billings paid. It was a requirement that would strain the resources of any small chapter. — 297 —
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This was the point where the peculiar isolation problem of Bishop’s really began to make itself felt. The chapter’s own alumni were, of course, still recent graduates establishing their lives (personally and professionally) and not in a position to provide much financial aid. This is normal with a new chapter, but the nationwide recession meant that many of the graduates had been unable to find any steady work at all. Further support from other alumni is the usual fallback plan, but there were (as already noted) no Beta alumni in the Lennoxville area. The chapter had made only token efforts to interest and involve alumni from other centres. In short, the men were faced with raising the money to repay the debt entirely on their own. It was a prescription for trouble. Again, feelings ran high. The newer brothers didn’t want to be saddled with repayment of a debt for which they had not been responsible. The older brothers felt that they were being driven to the wall by the General Fraternity. The General Fraternity was taking a more and more bleak view of the situation. The report by Chapter Management Consultant Stephen Proctor, South Dakota ’91, in September 1992 asserted that the chapter was on the brink of extinction, and foresaw that unless officers were properly trained the next crisis could easily be the end of the line. Indeed, the theme of inadequate officer transitions from year to year runs as a constant motif throughout the history of the Bishop’s chapter. By February 1993, the chapter was getting D or F grades in all areas of the consultant’s rating chart, mostly Fs, and the debt had grown to almost $4,000. Their real difficulty was the chilling effect of the suspension and the debt load on recruiting. Sooner or later, any potential pledge would hear the story; the fact of the chapter’s suspension was well-known around the campus. It’s easy to see that any young man just starting out in university would not want to affiliate with an organization that was asking him to shoulder this burden. The number of pledges and initiates dropped dramatically. The active chapter shrank swiftly. The debt continued to climb. By the 1993 Convention, the amount exceeded $6,000. At this point, Owen Williams, Toronto ’50, stepped in. He was distressed at the prospect that one of the hard-won new charters of Beta in Canada might have to be surrendered. To try to prevent the collapse of Bishop’s, Williams collected a sum of money to pay off most of the debt, leaving the chapter free to start over — 298 —
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with a clean financial slate. It was a generous gesture by a great Beta, and a great help to the chapter. Even with his assistance, though, the problems were not over. The overall tone of the chapter was weakening. The years of struggle had left their mark. The chapter seemed unable to get back on its feet. Discussions at chapter meetings brought forth many useful ideas, but actual decisions were few and far between. Unless the desire to fight harder could be instilled in the brothers, the Bishop’s chapter might expire from a lack of the will to live. The chapter which had begun with such bright hopes as Canada’s Sesqui-Centenary gift to the Fraternity remained a chapter in crisis, struggling for survival. The problems which had taken so long to grow and develop would not vanish in an instant with the wave of a magic wand. More than anything, the Bishop’s chapter required strong leadership to kick-start its revival. The story of the chapter from 1994 to 1998 is largely the story of two men, each of whom provided that elusive quality. Each would serve as chapter president for two years. One would convince the Fraternity that Bishop’s was worth giving another chance. The other would then instill in the men of the chapter a new sense and vision of what their Fraternity could become in the future. Joseph Thomson, Bishop’s ’96, became vice-president in the spring of 1993, only a few months after being initiated. Within a short time it became obvious that he would not accept the words, “It can’t be done.” Soon he was taking on a large share of the administrative work. At the 1993 General Convention, Thomson was the only representative of the chapter. He had a major task before him. The chapters committee had the negative reports from the district chief and the Administrative Office staff. In his quiet way, Thomson convinced the men of the committee that the Bishop’s chapter still had the potential to grow and prosper. The next year saw small progress made in a few areas. On the other hand, some major problems remained unresolved, and the debt began to grow again — this in spite of the funds arranged two years earlier by Owen Williams. In Oxford, and among many leading Betas in Canada, there was a fairly broad consensus that putting a chapter at Bishop’s in the first place had been a mistake. The time had come, many said, to admit the error, and pull the plug before any more scarce money was thrown away on “the lost cause in Lennoxville.” Additional evidence to support this view had come from District Chief Sheldon Laporte,
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Carleton ’92, who had written a detailed and hard-hitting account of the chapter’s shortcomings in his report to the General Secretary. The 1994 General Convention was a type of “High Noon” showdown for Epsilon Xi Chapter. The chapter, represented by Joseph Thomson, Sasha Jacob, Bishop’s ’96, and Mike Riesberry, Bishop’s ’96, pulled off a last-minute escape that seemed almost miraculous. By the end of the convention, a new consensus had emerged that suggested Bishop’s was worth one more try. Actually, the success was no miracle; there was no mystic intervention to save the chapter. It was the result of hard work, pure and simple. This time, the chapter presented a set of plans that laid out, for all to see, the directions in which they planned to grow and develop. The combination of Thomson’s steady leadership with the energy and enthusiasm of Jacob and Riesberry convinced the committee, and the convention, that Bishop’s finally meant business, in every sense of the word. The developments at the Bishop’s chapter during the 1994-95 school year were every bit as exhilarating as those in the years of the colony. In one recruitment effort in the fall, the chapter nearly doubled its active membership, from 10 to 18. Finances were stabilized, with current accounts and debt repayments both kept up to date. Firm steps were taken toward the goal of a proper chapter house owned by a housing corporation. This noteworthy progress continued during the next three years. Two years under Joe Thomson’s firm direction and leadership were followed by two equally successful years under Philippe Hanna, Bishop’s ’99. Recruitment brought in more and more quality men. These men, in turn, took on a larger share of responsibilities in the chapter. By this time, the chapter was firmly in good standing with finances, and the ongoing air of crisis seemed to be disappearing into the past. Phil Hanna took advantage of this newThe chapter in front of a university commemorative window on campus, 1995. Joe Thomson appears second from left in the standing found stability to start moving row, and Phil Hanna is second from right.
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the chapter beyond mere survival. In his mind, the key to Bishop’s future success was a new emphasis on Beta spirit, lore, ritual and singing. He set to work imparting that vision to the chapter as a whole. The chapter had moved, finally in 1996, into a house of some quality at 29 Belvidere in Lennoxville, and then stayed there (for the first time in its history) for a second, third and fourth seasons. Renovations increased both the comfort and the financial viability of this rented house. However, one experiment in The chapter house at 29 Belvidere trying to market the chapter was not repeated. The members’ dues were reduced as an inducement to new membership. That soon left the chapter with a budget shortfall, and the dues had to be raised again the next year. The stability of an ongoing address significantly improved the chapter’s public image, as did a renewed program of vital and innovative philanthropies. A good example was a massive community breakfast in November 1997, undertaken with a sorority as a charity fundraiser for the local food bank. In the spring of 1998, three chapter members travelled, with the mayor and one of the town councillors of Lennoxville, to the community of Ste. Marie de Monnoir to assist local residents still trying to recover from the catastrophic ice storm in January of that year – a storm which affected most of Ontario and Quebec, and remains the single most expensive weather-related disaster in Canadian history. The mayor sent a letter thanking Beta Theta Pi by name, which was also published in the local paper.
The community breakfast, November 1997
In September 1997, the chapter hosted the District XXXVIII conclave for the first time, and the hospitality was of a very high standard. The highlight of the conclave was a semiformal luncheon with William Stoneman, Idaho ’66, of the Montreal Expos as guest speaker. Michael Riesberry, Bishop’s ’96, did a great job of organizing this event. — 301 —
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The most striking difference in the Bishop’s chapter of the mid-1990s was the development of a new attitude toward the lore, singing and ritual of the Fraternity. Much of this new attitude stemmed from the spring 1997 road trip, when the pledge class was initiated in the Hall of the Chapters in Oxford, Ohio. The Bishop’s chapter became the first Canadian chapter to conduct a ritual of initiation in the Hall of the Chapters, and was also (at that date) the chapter
Members of the Bishop’s chapter in the foyer of the Chapter members and AO staff who assisted with the ritual outside the Administrative Office Hall of Chapters
which had travelled the furthest distance to do so. From this trip the brothers, old and new, brought back a new determination to increase their knowledge of ritual and singing. It was ironic that Phil Hanna was unable to be present at this event. Owing to one of the caprices which seize border guards of all nationalities from time to time, the car in which he was riding was turned back at the border – and with it went one of the prospective new initiates! On the way home, the dejected Hanna and company stopped at the Carleton chapter house in Ottawa, where the brothers promptly organized a special initiation ritual for the benefit of the one new member who had missed out on the trip to Oxford. There was a beautiful demonstration of mutual assistance in action! The success of many of these new directions in the Bishop’s chapter owed much to Phil Hanna’s clear vision of what the chapter could achieve. With that vision went his determined leadership, which ensured that change would, in fact, happen. The importance of his role was recognized when, in 1999, he was named the fifth chief of District XXXVIII. — 302 —
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Defeat by Isolation The chapter sought new directions with mixed success during the
years immediately following Phil Hanna’s graduation. That year saw half of the chapter (13 members) graduate. Once again, the composition of the chapter shifted to a younger group of men, many of whom came from British Columbia, at the other end of the country! These men experienced mixed success in their efforts to manage the chapter, and by 2000, Epsilon Xi was once again in debt to the General Fraternity. This had happened far too many times in the chapter’s history. The time had certainly come to solve the problem by putting in place a system which would prevent overspending of the chapter’s budget. All of these efforts were well-intentioned, but proved only one thing: there is no substitute for effective alumni guidance on the spot. And this was the one thing which the Bishop’s chapter could not get. There simply was no incentive for any Bishop’s graduate to remain in Lennoxville, unless it was to join the faculty of the University. Such advisors as the chapter was able to get were always located in Montreal, or further away. Those alumni who did visit came rarely, usually for social events such as homecoming, and did not remain long. When things began to slip a little, there was no one close at hand to spot the change taking place. When the downhill slide Brothers of Bishop’s gathered on Homecoming weekend in 2001
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became more drastic, it was a reasonably simple matter for a few brothers to “cover up” the situation quite effectively. By this time, a few Beta chapters – but only a few – were experimenting with the use of non-Beta volunteer “Friends of Beta” as chapter advisors. This has since become a common practice, and has proven a worthwhile and successful solution to the perennial problem of finding enough alumni advisors for chapters. But the idea was too new in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Although the possibility was suggested to the chapter on more than one occasion, the idea did not find favour with the brothers, and no lasting steps were ever taken in that direction. Beyond the question of finding advisors, there was another factor which was making the survival of the chapter still more uncertain, a factor which was beyond the control of the Beta brothers. In the year 2000, there was a total undergraduate population of fewer than 2,000 students. This small size had always forced the Bishop’s chapter to work hard to recruit members. Given the general lack of knowledge and awareness of fraternities which has always dogged our Canadian chapters, the brothers always had to explain first what a fraternity was and what it could offer before even proceeding to more traditional recruitment ideas. But now, the percentage of female students in the incoming class had risen to 70%. This disproportion was bound to make life even more difficult for the recruiting team at Epsilon Xi. The chapter continued to focus on the desirability of owning its own house. In 2000, an attempt was made to purchase the house at 29 Belvidere. It would have been necessary to raise $20,000 as a down payment. For a young chapter with young alumni, this proved too steep. In the end, the chapter moved out of the house which had been its home for a number of years, and was on the move once again. This loss of the house added yet another burden to the recruiting efforts. A further problem resulted, ironically, from the General Fraternity’s efforts to upgrade all chapters through the Men of Principle initiative. One or two leaders of the chapter returned from General Fraternity leadership training programs determined to implement Men of Principle wholesale. However, their enthusiasm was not shared by all the brothers. The leaders succeeded in garnering enough votes in the chapter meeting to proceed with their plans, but the result was a split in the chapter. The following year, almost all their work was undone by the next executive. It was a sobering reminder that chapter leaders must build consensus, — 304 —
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and can’t do everything on a basis of 50 percent+1, since that inevitably means that 50 percent-1 are unhappy. By 2005, crisis time was at hand. The consultant from the General Fraternity who visited that year in April, MacGregor Hill, William and Mary ’04, reported that there were nine active members, no pledges, and a chapter president who had stepped straight into the job shortly after being initiated. The payment plan had been terminated that winter because payments had not been made as agreed. The chapter treasurer had left school, apparently for personal reasons, and had left Canada as well. There had been no communication whatsoever between the chapter officers and either the Administrative Office or the district chief (chapter alumnus David Cole, Bishop’s ’01) for the entire school year. Once again, the old familiar problem of officer transitions (or lack of same) hampered the chapter. Information that officers needed to manage the chapter’s business affairs was not being passed on to them by their predecessors. Brother Hill found that he was trying to teach the executive board of the chapter how to do everything practically from scratch. This included showing them how to submit the required regular reports via the Beta website. Several months later, a conference call phone meeting was held to decide the fate of the chapter. The chapter’s state of extreme disorganization had shown no major signs of improvement during that time. Also, the debt owing to the General Fraternity had now ballooned to more than $7,000. And so, the decision was made in August 2005 to close the Bishop’s chapter. There was an instant and vehement reaction from several alumni who were dismayed to learn that their chapter was gone. It was notable that the alumni who protested, and fought to save the chapter, mostly came from the period between 1995 and 1999, when the chapter was led by Joe Thomson and Phil Hanna. These alumni were determined not to give up without a fight, but time was working against them. By the time they realized what they were up against, the 2005 Convention had come and gone. They hoped then to try to bring the matter to the floor for general discussion at the 2006 General Convention in Toronto. However, Administrative Secretary Stephen Becker, Florida ’69, persuaded them that this would be more likely to lead to a final ending of all their hopes. The problem was that the Board of Trustees had a clear process for dealing with chartering requests, and any attempt to end-run that process might — 305 —
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lead to opposition on the floor of the General Convention. Instead, the alumni were encouraged to submit a detailed written plan for how they hoped to proceed with creating a revitalized, efficient and effective chapter at Bishop’s University. The detailed plan submitted by Mike Riesberry and Joe Thomson for the Board’s consideration is an impressive document, showing a great deal of thought and effort. The report clearly recognizes and faces the systemic weaknesses which had brought the chapter down. Riesberry and Thomson had also enlisted a panel of seven alumni advisors, including themselves, who were prepared to commit their time to working closely with a restarted Bishop’s chapter so the problems of the past would not recur. On paper, it looked great. So why wasn’t it accepted by the Board? General Secretary Charlie Warner, Lynchburg ’87, sent a detailed letter to Riesberry and Thomson in September 2006. This letter showed that the Trustees had zeroed in on the one and only major weakness of the rescue proposal. Of the seven advisors proposed in the plan, most had no previous experience as Beta advisors. Also, two of the seven were located in Montreal, three were in and around Toronto, one was in New York City, and one was in London, England. Given the distances, it’s quite plain that a revived Bishop’s chapter would still suffer from the lack of on-the-spot alumni advisor capacity. Also, Warner personally felt that a restart might not even be considered possible until the existing debt of more than $7,000 was repaid to the General Fraternity. And there the matter rested. One great lesson stands out from the whole experience of Beta Theta Pi at Bishop’s University: the success of a Beta chapter ultimately depends on a balanced mix of undergraduate enthusiasm and alumni experience. The chapter is, of course, for the undergrads and “belongs” first of all to them. It is largely on the efforts of the active brothers that the chapter will stand or fall. But the active involvement of alumni advisors, regularly present at the chapter location, is no less critical, and forms part of the mortar that binds a successful chapter together. That was a lesson which Beta Theta Pi had to learn over and over again, the hard way, during the years of fallout from the great expansion drive of the 1980s and early 1990s all over North America. What chance, then, did the Epsilon Xi Chapter have when most of its history saw it with only one or two official advisors, almost never located any closer than Montreal, and often much farther away than that? In the case of Bishop’s, the lack of this binding influence led to much disappointment and heartbreak – and, in the end, was a major contributor to — 306 —
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the final closing of the chapter. We can never know for certain that the outcome would have been different, but the Fraternity’s experience as a whole during those years suggests that chances of success are far greater if there is a dedicated, involved group of alumni advisors on the spot, rather than one or two located dozens or hundreds of kilometres away. With that close alumni supervision, it’s quite likely that the other systemic difficulties of financial shortfalls and lack of officer transition could and would have been largely avoided.
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PART IX Carleton University Chapter The Epsilon Upsilon of Beta Theta Pi
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History Repeats Itself There’s a very curious sense in which the early days of Beta’s Carleton colony
read like a replay of the early days at Toronto more than 80 years earlier. The parallels are so striking that it almost looks like deliberate imitation. The story started with one young man, Bradley Arthur Wilson Wylie, who arrived at Carleton University, full of eagerness to make the fraternal experience part of his university life. Unfortunately, it was easier said than done. Carleton, like many Canadian schools, made no particular concession to fraternities, didn’t like them, refused to recognize them and felt life would be much easier if the Greek-letter societies would just go away altogether. As a result, Brad Wylie found no suitable Greek organization waiting for him to join. There was a chapter of Acacia fraternity on campus, and Wylie attended several of its recruitment functions with some friends. His reaction to the Acacians was somewhat neutral. At this point he paid a weekend visit to his older brother at the University of Western Ontario’s Sigma Chi chapter. Another brother of Sigma Chi got into a discussion with him during one of their recruitment events. Wylie explained the whole situation, and the Sigma Chi brother said to him: “Brad, are you prepared to spend the rest of your life as an Acacian?” As soon as the question was asked, Brad knew that the answer was “No.” The Sigma Chi brother then asked another question: “Why don’t you start your own fraternity at Carleton, then?” And that second question contained, in effect, its own answer. In exactly the same way as Billy Moore had done in Toronto more than eight decades earlier, Brad Wylie set about expressing his dissatisfaction with the fraternal life being offered in a practical way: if you can’t find the right fraternity, invent — 311 —
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it! Before long, Wylie was joined by other men at Carleton who felt as he did, and the nucleus of a new fraternity began to grow. An executive was elected, a constitution and statement of principles drawn up, duties agreed upon and fleshed out in detail. Soon the men of this fledgling band began to seek international affiliation. In this too they emulated their early forebears in Toronto. It is customary to dismiss (jokingly) as merely bad taste the approach made by the Carleton men to Sigma Chi. In his address to the Carleton Installation Banquet, Brad Wylie said: “Some of you may want to cover your ears for this part of the story.” But it is an episode that bears more careful examination, and has its lessons for Betas as well. First of all, the decision to approach Sigma Chi came about from the simple fact that Brad Wylie’s older brother was a Sigma Chi at Western Ontario. Time and again in Beta history, the importance of legacies was demonstrated, and this case was right in line. If Sigma Chi had been a bit quicker on the draw, the Carleton chapter of Beta Theta Pi might still be waiting to happen! In the second place, this episode demonstrates the importance of clear lines of communication. The men at Carleton contacted the district chief of Sigma Chi, and forwarded all their paperwork to him. When they eventually went to meet the international officers of Sigma Chi, the Carleton men got a shock. The fraternity’s leaders knew nothing about them. Obviously there had been a major breakdown in communication somewhere along the process. The Sigma Chi leadership also made it plain that, while they might be prepared to consider Carleton University at some future date, that date was not yet at hand. We’ve seen this kind of turndown in two instances for chapters attempting to join Beta in Canada: British Columbia and Western Ontario. In each case, the turndown was expected, and the applicant local society knew the ground on which it had to fight. The Carleton rejection from Sigma Chi was totally unexpected, and therefore much more shocking. As they cast around for another direction, Todd Houghton reminded his fraternal friends that his father and grandfather were both Betas. This fact decided the next approach that the Carleton men would make: an approach to Beta Theta Pi. Once again the “legacy principle” had determined the future course of the Carleton men. Beta responded much more positively. — 312 —
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As soon as District Chief Jim Mignault, Western Ontario ’83, heard of a group at Carleton, he contacted W. Anthony Houghton, Toronto ’64. From Houghton, he obtained the name of Brad Wylie. From Wylie, he learned of the abortive approach to Sigma Chi. Once Sigma Chi had confirmed that it was not pursuing the Carleton group, Mignault got to work in earnest. From the men at Carleton, he quickly received copies of member profiles and the constitution. In April 1989, Mignault invited Todd Houghton and Brad Wylie to the Southern Ontario alumni luncheon, and a few days later, held an information meeting with Toronto-area alumni and the two representatives from Carleton. This meeting created a positive impression and a decision to proceed was made. In June 1989, 14 men from Carleton were pledged in a ceremony, attended by a number of Beta alumni from the Toronto area, at the Toronto chapter house. Thus, Beta Theta Pi’s Carleton colony was born. That summer marked the 150th anniversary of the Fraternity. The SesquiCentenary Convention in Oxford, Ohio, was attended by a delegation of Carleton pledges, who were petitioning the legislation floor to grant them full colony status. In a banner week that none of the Carleton men would ever forget, their petition was granted. Brad Wylie and friends returned to university in the fall, ready to work towards a charter. To help them on their way, an Inter-District Conclave was held in Ottawa in September 1989. Attended by Betas from all the chapters in Districts III and XXXVIII, the conclave also served as a leadership training session for all who attended. During this conclave, a second pledging ceremony was held for Carleton’s Founding Fathers. This unusual procedure was dictated by changes that occurred during the summer. The original group of 14 men pledged in June had included many who were eager to start a new fraternity, but had differing visions of what it should be. Once the decision was made to seek affiliation with Beta Theta Pi, these men began to learn what Beta stood for, how it operated, and where it held its priorities. For some of the June pledge group, Beta simply wasn’t the kind of fraternity they wanted, and a number of them decamped. Only seven of the original group decided to carry on. The Beta colony was joined by five new men during the summer. In order to preserve pledge class unity in the colony’s founding group, District Chief Walter Massey, MIT ’51, decided that the 12 men should be
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pledged together (or, in some cases, re-pledged), under the direction of their sponsoring chapter at McGill University. This newly-pledged and unified group immediately set to work to enlarge its base on the campus, and promptly ran head-on into a barrage of criticism and protest. The university had always had a reputation as a strongly egalitarian campus, and within that context, fraternities were regarded as unwarranted intrusions. Similarly, the residents of neighbourhoods near the university had heard all the usual “animal house” horror Brothers from McGill and Carleton with General Fraternity staffers at the joint conclave of Districts III and XXXVIII in stories pinned on fraternities and Ottawa, September 1989 were quite sure they didn’t want anything like that going on near their homes, thank you very much! Again, difficulties arose because of the generally non-fraternity culture of a typical Canadian university, so different from many in the United States. These problems could be divided into on-campus and off-campus, both seeming very strange to most American chapters. On the Carleton campus, the Betas strove to achieve a measure of recognition from both school and student governing bodies. In particular, they hoped for endorsement and support from several Beta alumni who held prominent positions at Carleton. University policy, however, made it impossible for these men to publicly support the colony, since such support would directly conflict with their roles as official representatives of the University at various levels. The one exception was Donald Yeomans, Toronto ’47, whose post as chairman of the board of governors did not carry official spokesperson role and therefore did not involve a potential conflict of interest. The University’s policies, then, made any form of recognition from that quarter a vain hope. However, the Betas hoped very much to win recognition from the student governing body, the Carleton University Student Association (CUSA). With such recognition, it would be possible to have a much higher public — 314 —
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profile on the campus, especially at recruitment time. But the CUSA leadership was strongly anti-fraternity, regarding fraternities as both elitist and sexist. No recognition was forthcoming. Under these trying circumstances, the Betas worked hard to create a positive public profile. They engaged in a wide range of philanthropic and public service activities and causes on the campus. When their detractors sneered at such actions as mere window-dressing, the Betas redoubled their efforts. Those students who were not hopelessly prejudiced against the whole idea of fraternities could see the truth for themselves. The brothers of Beta Theta Pi were working very hard indeed to improve the quality of life for all members of the university community. A negative public image was also a problem in the off-campus neighbourhood where the Betas set up their headquarters. They began to feel many kinds of pressures, subtle and not so subtle, from civic authorities. News stories appeared in the press, telling of wild and noisy “fraternity” parties plaguing the neighbourhood. One person frequently quoted in these stories was the city councillor who represented the ward, which included the campus. The Carleton colony members knew perfectly well that some of the noisiest parties happened in student houses which were occupied by various individuals, not by fraternity brothers. But, of course, the evocative “animal house” image made a handy target for their opponents. In the fall of 1989, the colony moved into a house at 391 Sunnyside Avenue, close to the campus. One of their first actions was to raise the letters of Beta Theta Pi on the outside of the house. Soon afterward they were visited by a city inspector who demanded the removal of the letters. The specious reasoning was that putting a sign on the outside of the house made Beta a “commercial enterprise” in an area zoned exclusively for residential use. Although the Betas tried hard to fight this ruling, the letters finally had to come down. It was a turning point for the Carleton colony. Angered by the incessant innuendoes and the nitpicking of the city, several of the colony’s members proposed a more pro-active approach to the problem of their public image. The battleground was the upcoming civic election campaign. The Carleton colony decided to adopt a new tactic: “Don’t get mad, get even.” During the election campaign, several members of the colony, working — 315 —
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purely on an individual basis, campaigned vigorously for a candidate who was expected to have a more tolerant attitude. Election day saw him defeat the incumbent by a substantial margin. After that, tension between the Beta colony and the city government eased considerably. Meanwhile, with guidance from the sponsoring McGill chapter, News headline and photo depicting the election campaign by the first (or “Alpha”) pledge class members of the colony of the Carleton colony had been initiated into the Fraternity. This initiation took place at the McGill chapter house in November 1989. District Chief Walter Massey, MIT ’51, presented the brothers with two framed and mounted colour photos taken at the inter-district conclave in September. The 12 Founding Fathers (as we may now think of them) immediately went out to find a new group of pledges. No time was to be wasted in the march toward chapterhood. After a period of appropriate pledge training conducted mainly by the founders, again with the help and advice of McGill, there was another initiation of Carleton Betas. At the end of the first full year, the colony was in good shape. A quality group of men worked hard to reach the goal of chapterhood, while at the same time, creating a stable structure to leave behind for those who should come after
The Founding Fathers after their initiation with framed photos from the September conclave
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them. In his annual report, District Chief Walter Massey expressed satisfaction. But he also noted a need for more realistic budgeting — the first year’s budget had been too tight for the colony to function effectively. He recommended that a number of fundraisers be held. He also suggested that the time was right to establish a corporation in readiness for the day when the chapter might be able to buy a house. This pattern of successes inside and outside the house was continued and expanded during the second full year of the colony’s existence. Although no conclave was held that year, the Carleton men did benefit from a full-scale Beta matrix led by Chapter Management Consultant Paul Puckett, East Carolina ’89. This goal-setting session helped them to focus their energies on the considerable tasks awaiting them during the year leading up to chartering. One of the big landmarks during the second year was the creation of an organization to represent the crop of new fraternities and sororities on campus. As always, the arrival of Beta Theta Pi led to immediate followers! The new InterFraternity/Sorority Board (IFSB) set to work on joint projects that would raise the profile of the new fraternal organizations (and the existing Acacia chapter). In the spring of 1991, the IFSB held the first Greek Olympics, and the Beta chapter went all out to win the top-points trophy. They succeeded. The house continued to be a benefit to the chapter because of its location, which was nearly ideal. The Carleton campus itself is in a rather odd location, completely surrounded by rivers, highways and parkland. Unlike other universities in Canada where the fraternity has established chapters, there is no residential area that is close to the campus. However, the Betas were almost as close as you could get, on a street that led to a major entrance to the university — and they were certainly closer than any of their rivals. On the other hand, the small size of the house made for crowded quarters. In the second year, the landlord had promised to build an extension on the house, but this promise was never carried out. It was a disappointment of the sort that is all too familiar to chapters that live in rented premises. In every other way, the colony was ready to proceed with chartering. A delegation of five men travelled to the Innisbrook Golf Resort at Tarpon Springs, Fla., to present their petition to the 152nd General Convention. That convention set a record by chartering no less than six new chapters — and Carleton was one of them. The Carleton men heard the good news that they were now the Epsilon — 317 —
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Upsilon Chapter of Beta Theta Pi from General Secretary Thomas Cassady, Cincinnati ’76. To mark this special occasion, they also presented a plaque, as a token of thanks, to District Chief Walter Massey, before the entire convention. In a few minutes they were on the phones back to Canada, spreading the good word to the brothers who had not been able to attend! The formal installation of Beta’s newest Canadian chapter took place at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa on November 23, 1991. In the afternoon, the newest group of men in the chapter were formally initiated at the hotel. At 5:00 p.m. came the formal ceremony of installation. The men of the chapter assembled in what would Brothers of the Carleton chapter with District Chief Massey and the soon become their roll number author after the charter vote order to march into the hall. At the head of the line, bearing the flag of Beta Theta Pi, stood Bradley Arthur Wilson Wylie, Carleton ’91. Many men had contributed to this proud moment, but everyone agreed that Brad Wylie had done more than any other single man to make the dream of a Beta chapter at Carleton come true. The ceremony of installation was led by General Treasurer Jack Easton, Wesleyan ’66,
Brad Wylie prepares to lead the brothers of Carleton into their installation ceremony.
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President Fred Nieto receives the robe of office from General Treasurer Jack Easton.
who pinned the President’s Badge on Frederick Nieto, Carleton ’92, then outfitted him with the President’s robe. Each of the members was called forward to sign the official roll of Epsilon Upsilon. At the Installation Banquet, there was a series of speeches and presentations that perfectly captured the happy spirit of the occasion. Gifts came to the new chapter from many other chapters and alumni, including the President’s Badge (again modelled on the McGill badge) from District Chief Walter Massey. The chapter also received its coat of arms. The chapter’s motto is:
“Take Hold of First Principles”
The men of the new chapter posed happily for a large group photograph, and declared their intention of crowning their first full year as a chapter by winning a Sisson Award. Those present, hearing again the tale of the obstacles Carleton had been forced to overcome to date, had no doubt the chapter would make good on that promise!
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Getting a Grip on the First Principles The men of the Carleton chapter, the Epsilon Upsilon of Beta Theta Pi,
came out of their chartering with a strong sense of purpose and direction. These were soon to be tested by the almost inevitable onset of “post-charter slump.” The way in which the chapter handled this challenge says much about its character, different from — and yet similar to — its sister chapters in eastern Canada. The chapter had been given an effective guide in its motto. In Beta terms, there can be no doubt as to which are the “first principles” here referred to. The Seven Obligations, the Three Stars, the Phi-Kai-Phi, all explained and expounded upon by great Betas past and present, gave the chapter all the direction it needed. The question was: would the Carleton chapter follow these directions? Would the men truly take hold of the first principles as guiding stars for their Beta lives?
The 1990 initiation class, at the McGill chapter house
At first, it appeared that the answer was an unequivocal “Yes.” During the year of chartering, the chapter continued with its winning ways, pledging two more groups of topquality members, continuing their philanthropies, and winning the Greek Olympics for a second year. Also continued were projects to heighten the profile of the Greeks on campus, and to improve relations with the surrounding community on Sunnyside Avenue.
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The chapter finished that first year in excellent shape, with improved records in all areas, from academics to finances. When the time came to apply for the Sisson Award, the chapter was able to make a highly creditable showing indeed. At the 153rd General Convention in Washington, D.C., in 1992, the chapter president proudly stepped forward to accept what all hoped would be the first in a long string of Sisson Awards. Everything looked terrific. But under the surface, the rot was beginning to set in, so subtly that few even within the chapter were aware of it. The problem was a familiar one: cliques were dividing the chapter, degrading chapter brotherhood and fracturing chapter unity. There was more and more dissension about chapter direction and priorities. In retrospect, an early warning signal came in the spring of 1992, even before the Sisson Award had been presented. The chapter travelled to Toronto to conduct its spring initiation, finding the large Toronto house a more congenial environment than the small house on Sunnyside Avenue in Ottawa. At the appointed time for the ritual to be performed, all the initiates were on hand, but more than half the active brothers were missing, which left an insufficient number to perform the initiation. The ritual had to be done later, back in Ottawa. Even then, the chapter seemed to be loosening its grip on the first principles, however slightly. During the next two years, problems gradually emerged, and then worsened. The cliques became more clearly defined, and outright power struggles followed. Chapter meetings were often filled with rancour, and decisions were hard to make, harder still to enforce. Some of the high standards set during the colony years began to decline. For instance, the philanthropic work declined in scale. Payment of dues became a real difficulty, and the outstanding amounts grew steadily larger. When a brother became delinquent in dues, members of his clique would rally to support him in the chapter meetings. Any form of discipline aimed at collecting outstanding accounts became virtually impossible. The chapter struggled harder to meet its obligations to the General Fraternity. In the fall of 1993, Carleton chapter moved into a house at 84 Fifth Avenue in the Glebe district. It was not nearly so distinguished a location as the same address would have been in New York, but it was a bigger house and could hold more members. Even so, it was nowhere near as large as would have been — 322 —
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desirable for a chapter of this size. Perhaps if the Betas had been able to move into a house with room for 15-20 brothers to live, the unity problems might not have been as severe later on. The new house also had a couple of disadvantages. It was one-half of a semidetached house, which led to some loss of privacy. It was also located further from the campus than the Sunnyside Avenue house had been. In addition, there was the infamous “trick board” on the stairs, which was apt to vanish underfoot from time to time! On the whole, though, advantages outweighed drawbacks. What the chapter really needed, of course, was a good big house which Beta could own outright. Like all of the newer chapters, the men found this to be impossible. A young chapter with alumni who were still (for the most part) searching for jobs, in a Canada ravaged by recession, had virtually no chance unless someone scored a big lottery win! The alumni were certainly sensitive to the plight of the chapter, and offered their moral support — which, in many cases, was all they had to give. The picture was not all black by any means during this difficult time. In the spring of 1993, the brothers won their third annual Greek Olympics, maintaining their grip on that cherished trophy. But there was to be no Sisson Award in that second year as a chapter. Nonetheless, the brothers had cause for pride at the time of the 1993 Convention. Walter Massey, MIT ’51, had decided to retire as district chief. His services to the district, including the establishment of no less than three new chapters, were almost beyond calculation. His replacement was one of Carleton’s own: Sheldon Laporte, Carleton ’92, a chapter founder. Brother Laporte became the first brother from one of Canada’s new chapters to serve as district chief, and he filled the role ably under trying circumstances for two years. One of Sheldon’s most successful District XXXVIII conclave held at 84 Fifth Avenue while Sheldon Laporte was district chief. General Secretary Vince del Pizzo appears initiatives was a District XXXVIII at bottom left, and Vice President Jerry Blesch at top right.
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conclave which was attended by not one, but two members of the General Fraternity’s Board of Trustees: General Secretary Vince del Pizzo, Missouri ’63, and Vice President Jerry Blesch, Centre ’60. The situation at Carleton became better in some ways during the 1993-94 school year, but worsened in others. A highlight of the year was the installation anniversary banquet held in November at the Chateau Laurier. A large turnout of alumni, including two-thirds of the founders, created a memorable demonstration of Beta Spirit at its best. The event also, perhaps unfortunately, raised chapter hopes of alumni support to an unrealistic degree. Under the emotional stimulus of the occasion, many glowing assurances of help were given. The alumni, though, were in many cases, still on shaky financial ground in their personal lives. The chapter had to plough on as best it could. Chapter leaders tried to strengthen the ways in which the chapter dealt with delinquent accounts. Some brothers were placed on alumni status for non-payment of dues. New and innovative recruitment methods were tried, yet the group of pledges attained was not large. The financial burden of Beta membership was simply too great for many undergraduates to shoulder, especially since all fees were payable in U.S. dollars. The out-of-kilter exchange rate with the American dollar was having its dampening effect on Carleton, as in all the other Canadian chapters at this time. Another disappointment was the failure to win the Greek Olympics for a fourth year in a row. The chapter had committed to participate in the week-long festivities, but many brothers simply did not appear at the assigned times and events. Indeed, the brotherhood of Epsilon Upsilon was in a shaky state — and over the whole situation still hovered the financial issues. These problems certainly did not escape the notice of the district chief. Sheldon Laporte, in his year-end report for 1994, made the following statements: What has changed, however, is the sense of brotherhood. The chapter has fallen victim to squabbling, muckraking and failure in member responsibilities.
He further commented that the members would have to remember to live by their sworn obligations as brothers of Beta Theta Pi. Strong language, this, and it certainly boded ill that a district chief should have to speak in such a manner of any of his chapters.
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The financial problems grew as the year went on, but the full extent of the money situation was not revealed until the year end. The Carleton chapter arrived at the 155th General Convention, in 1994, owing the General Fraternity well over $7,000 — closer to $10,000 in Canadian terms! Again, as with the Bishop’s chapter in the same year, the total size of the debt was a real shock. Again, all concerned struggled to find explanations for how the chapter had run up such a huge liability in such a short time. There were even dark accusations of brothers raiding the chapter funds, but these were never substantiated. In truth, one need look no further for the cause than the chapter’s reluctance to collect dues from delinquent brothers, and the cumulative effect of the exchange rate added to a 1.5 percent monthly service charge imposed by the General Fraternity on amounts that were not collected and forwarded. The two Carleton representatives who attended the 1994 Convention were worried, and with reason, about what might happen. For some years, the General Fraternity had ended every year with larger and larger numbers of chapters owing greater and greater amounts of money. Plainly, this trend had to be reversed. Would Carleton end up as a sacrificial victim to serve as a warning to other chapters? The chapters committee placed Carleton on “troubled chapter” status. They also imposed a payment plan, similar to those given in that year to McGill and Bishop’s. This plan called for a monthly payment of US$748, as well as the maintenance of all current billings. There were also certain non-financial conditions imposed. On the face of it, this plan appeared impossible. How was a young chapter with only 25 active members and little alumni financial support supposed to meet these payments? Fortunately, Carleton had three strokes of good luck going for it. First, the General Fraternity had agreed, upon persuasion, to cap the exchange rate for Canadian dollars at $1.25 Canadian to US$1.00. This was done by crediting the difference from the higher exchange rate back to each chapter’s account with the General Fraternity. Without the exchange rate cap, the repayment scheme would have been stillborn. Second, some alumni support was forthcoming. A fund drive among alumni of other chapters in eastern Canada netted a small sum — about one month’s — 325 —
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payment on the plan. It wasn’t a huge relief, but it did provide Carleton with some welcome breathing space in a very tough year. The third factor was a person. Many times in the history of Beta Theta Pi in Canada it has been proven over again that the right person in the right place at the right time can make all the difference. It was true of the founding of Carleton, when Brad Wylie was the man. It became true again in this crisis year, when the chapter elected as its president, Craig Watson, Carleton ’96. The word “stubborn” perfectly characterized Craig Watson’s approach to the problems of the chapter. His job was twofold, and raising money to pay the debt was only half of it. Craig’s vision went a good deal further. He saw the need for a rebirth of Beta Spirit and total membership involvement, to prevent a final collapse of the chapter. Epsilon Upsilon drew up an entirely different budget, with numerous items on the income side, but almost nothing except the General Fraternity’s name appearing in the expenses column. Most of the expenses would be handled directly by the brothers themselves, out of their own personal funds. This would insure adherence to the payment plan. Chapter dues were raised to make a start on the payment plan. Other fundraising events were scheduled during the year. The men of the chapter tightened their belts. Plainly, this was not to be a year of fun and games. Some of the Carleton men were unhappy with the strictures. Most, though, agreed with the reality that these things had to happen if the chapter was to survive. Unity was helped by the new maturity that many of the members found through dealing with the financial problems. Another promoter of chapter unity arose out of a sad loss suffered by an alumnus of Carleton. It was early in 1994 that Peter Souw, Carleton ’92, was diagnosed with cancer in his leg. Other treatments were unavailing, and the leg had to be amputated. This was a terrible shock to all the brothers, alumni and undergraduates, who knew Pete and valued his friendship. In a joint effort, they soon raised enough money to purchase a prosthesis. This team effort spoke volumes about the first principles and values of Beta Theta Pi. It also encouraged some brothers to think a little more deeply. Why should such close and brotherly action be confined to times of great crisis? Why shouldn’t it be part of the daily life of the chapter? — 326 —
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As the year went on, the chapter drew closer in many ways. The old habits of dissension and dispute were not dead, by any means, but new habits of cooperation had begun to take their place. A sign of this was the chapter’s return in the spring to the Greek Olympics. The men jointly decided that they were going into the event as a group — as a chapter — and soon the trophy was back on Epsilon Upsilon’s mantel where it belonged. By the end of the 1994-95 year, Carleton had made huge strides back to good health. Fundraising efforts had brought the chapter ahead of its payment plan, and within easy striking distance of eliminating the debt entirely. Chapter activity had increased, and so had involvement. The Beta Spirit and brotherhood of the chapter had risen dramatically. Many brothers had worked hard to make it happen of course, but much of the credit was owed to the leadership of Craig Watson. This became clear when the chapter re-elected him for a second term. In 1995-96, the chapter paid the balance of its debt entirely, and was returned to good standing with the Fraternity. In many other ways, too, Epsilon Upsilon scarcely resembled the chapter of two years earlier, which had to be reprimanded for its divisive ways. In the fall of 1996, the chapter moved to a new location at 160 Waverley Street, just off the active Elgin Street entertainment district in the central area of Ottawa. While the new house was even further from the campus than the house on Fifth Avenue, it was in an area much frequented by Carleton students on social excursions, and the chapter’s public profile increased accordingly. The new house was also an improvement on the old one in other ways. More space, better condition of the floors, walls and ceiling, and — best of all, from the viewpoint of many guests — no more “trick board” on the stairs! This house lasted the chapter for the next two years, at which time it had to be left behind due to a major structural problem. Alumni were glad to hear that the damage to the house was not due to anything done by the chapter. The entire west wall had begun to tilt away from the rest of the structure, and had to be braced up from the outside for much of the 1997-98 school year! Proof of the Carleton chapter’s rebirth of Beta Spirit came in March 1996 when the district chief chose it as the first winners of the new Walter Massey Beta Spirit trophy of District XXXVIII, on the basis of its adherence to the first principles. — 327 —
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Another sign of the chapter’s improved condition was its successful application, in 1997, for a second Sisson Award. In addition, Epsilon Upsilon was named as runner-up for the John Holt Duncan Service Project Award. The men of the chapter took pride in these accomplishments, and rightly so. Pride of accomplishment showed clearly too when the chapter Carleton brothers at the 158 General Convention in 1997 with convened for its Installation their Sisson and Duncan awards Banquet every November, a yearly event since 1993. In 1996, this banquet saw the dedication of a new trophy for alumni service to the chapter. This trophy was dedicated to the memory of Peter Souw, who had passed away the previous spring after a recurrence of cancer. The first winner was the chapter counsellor, Thomas Golem, Carleton ’92. th
Apparently, too, the crisis of the post-charter slump had been successfully weathered. In 1994, Carleton had seemed like a chapter with a past, but no future. By 1998, Epsilon Upsilon had grown in numbers, spirit, strength and organization, and had placed the negatives of the past behind it — or so it seemed. The reality was that some problems still simmered under the surface. There were several incidents involving less-than-creditable conduct by some individual members of the chapter. These incidents involved other fraternities at Carleton, and in at least one case, another Beta chapter which came under threat of legal action because of the incident involving Carleton Betas. The individuals involved seemed (in some cases) less than mature in acknowledging their actions. The chapter was not always overly willing to call these individuals to account. All of these difficulties created unnecessary financial burdens for Epsilon Upsilon. The chapter fell prey once again to the one-step-forward, two-steps-back syndrome. By 2000, Carleton was again in debt to the General Fraternity, under suspension, and without any representation at the General Convention. In a way, the situation seemed reminiscent of what had happened at Delta Alpha. The — 328 —
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men of Carleton continued to talk about what a great chapter they had, but there were numerous aspects of their record that suggested otherwise. It was a great pity, because the strengths that had pulled this chapter to a peak of achievement a couple of years earlier were still there. They had the numbers and they had the spirit. Even viewed without rose-coloured glasses, there were many signs of excellence at Carleton. Yet, the chapter continued to be dogged by its weaknesses, and these too seemed to be inherent. The men of Epsilon Upsilon would have to go back to the first principles and truly live by them if these weaknesses were ever to be overcome.
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Battling Back In the new century, Carleton had to battle more than its own systemic
weaknesses. The chapter also had to struggle to come to terms with significant trends in the larger world of the General Fraternity. The most significant change here was the adoption of the Men of Principle initiative at the General Convention of 1999. This initiative was a challenge to every Beta chapter to live up in practice to the ideals which Beta had so long professed. Put simply, the initiative was a demand that, as Betas, we had to bring our actions into line with our words. The initiative began with three partner chapters that voluntarily agreed to participate. They received significant support from the administrative staff in Oxford as they worked on the key requirements of Men of Principle. Most contentious of these rules to many Canadian chapters was the requirement to hold dry recruitment. It was only too easy to dismiss these stringent requirements as the outgrowth of American law, which forbids drinking alcohol until age 21. With the lower drinking age in effect in Canada, these requirements need not apply to them – so many Canadian undergraduate Betas reasoned. But this line of thinking got them nowhere with the General Fraternity, because the requirement was about something much more than just conforming to law. The Fraternity was also concerned about damage to houses, about the fast-rising cost of public liability insurance and about public health issues potentially arising from excessive alcohol consumption. However, the requirement of the Fraternity which was to cause Carleton the most difficulty was the one that called for chapters to attain a minimum size in numbers of active members. As the Fraternity steadily recruited more chapters — 331 —
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from large American campuses, the average chapter size was rising. It made sense for delegates of these larger chapters, voting on policy proposals at the General Convention, to apply a baseline size test which seemed to them a bare minimum for the kinds of campuses on which they were operating. For Carleton, though, these requirements verged on a demand for the chapter to do the impossible. The chapter had not managed to find a single house which it could continue to occupy. Its numbers still see-sawed up and down from year to year. As the chapter continually moved from house to house, in and out of various neighbourhoods in the city, there was little sense of continuity. And the debt due to the General Fraternity was on the rise again. Without quick action and serious follow-up, the chapter was doomed – just like its sister chapters at Guelph, Bishop’s, McGill and Western Ontario. This time, the man who pulled Carleton back from the brink was chapter president Brian Rogic, Carleton ’02. In what had become something of a chapter tradition, Brian served two years as president. During that time, he worked hard to pull the chapter up, with some success. But there was no reason to assume that the old pattern would change: the pattern in which a strong leader graduated, and the gains he had made were lost. What was different this time was that Brian Rogic graduated from the undergraduate chapter and promptly became the chapter counsellor. The timing was perfect. That was in 2005, the year the chapter was being considered for closure by the Board of Trustees along with Bishop’s. In the spring, there were two crisis phone conference calls held, one for each chapter. No brother from Bishop’s was available for the conference call, and so the decision to close that chapter was taken. Brian was on the phone, and persuaded the powers that be to let Carleton have a second chance for life at that summer’s convention. When the convention was called to order, Brian Rogic was there with his plans laid. The most critical step he had taken, and the one that set this effort apart from all others, was that he had recruited an entire advisory team to aid the chapter. Previously, Carleton (and all the other newer Canadian chapters) had been forced to make do with one or, at most, two advisors. Now, Brian was telling the convention committee that there was an entire team of seven advisors, with him leading it. The advisors were all committed to helping Carleton. Almost all of them were located in Ottawa. The areas of recruitment, finance, academics and ritual were all covered. Never before had this young chapter had such a comprehensive support team in place. — 332 —
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That was probably the turning point in Brother Rogic’s presentation. Everything else he had to say had been said many times before. But this was concrete action, a measurable step forward, and the convention was persuaded to give Carleton one more chance. Again, the battle to clear the debt had to be fought through. Again a combination of fundraising events, donations and pressure on uncooperative brothers brought the money in. This time, though, it stayed in. Carleton had been told, in no uncertain terms, that the next time it went into debt would be the last. Where the General Fraternity had in the past seen as many as 40 percent of chapters in debt in some years, the percentage was rapidly dropping to zero as the Fraternity simply closed chapters that couldn’t pay the bills. New procedures were put into place to ensure that bills were paid. The biggest one was that every new recruit was made clearly aware of the financial commitment he was taking on. Some recruits who were unable or unwilling to pay their shot sadly fell by the wayside, and a few had to be removed from the rolls. However, the mass delinquencies of past fiscal years were at an end. Another great innovation was Brian Rogic’s development of a clearly targeted workshop for yearly goal setting, and a clear process for officers’ handoff to their successors. This should have helped to put a stop to some of the reinvention of wheels which had marked the chapter for years. Unfortunately, it was not consistently repeated in subsequent years. The General Fraternity also helped substantially with the development of a broad range of training workshop opportunities for undergraduate Betas from all over the continent. In no time, it became possible for a sizable percentage of the chapter’s membership to attend one of these events each year, sometimes more than one. Brother Rogic assisted with fundraising to meet some of the travel costs for those members with limited personal resources. One significant change to arise out of those workshops and programs came from the Fraternity’s new re-emphasis on the importance of ritual. Chapters were now expected to have a ritual advisor, and to perform all rituals every year as specified in the book. The rituals themselves underwent some changes and modifications to make the books more user-friendly. The General Fraternity’s training courses and workshops all promoted the importance, not just of performing the ritual, but of living the ritual. Gradually, Carleton took steps to
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improve and augment ritual performance, as more of the members developed an appreciation of how the ritual’s meaning applied to daily life in the present day. Throughout these strenuous years, the routine of chapter events went on. In some years, one event or another would be missed, but on the whole the chapter remained on target. The 2006 Installation Banquet was highlighted when Tom Golem, the chapter’s oldest and most loyal advisor, won the Pete Souw Memorial Award for the second time. It was 10 years since he had been the first winner at the award’s inception. This decision was greeted with loud approval from the assembled brothers.
Tom Golem receives the Pete Souw Memorial Award for the second time, 2006.
But sadly, not everything was sweetness and light. The chapter continued to have housing issues, and moved on a number of occasions. One rented house bore the singularly appropriate address of 2 Oxford Street, but it lasted the chapter only one year. In a couple of years, the men struggled to hang on with no house at all. And the numbers remained depressingly small. In a Canadian university with a limited culture and knowledge of fraternities, recruitment was a continual struggle. But the chapter kept on fighting, doggedly refusing to give up.
In some ways, the biggest problem continued to be the difficulty of getting all members to commit to doing the day-to-day work of the chapter. This had been a problem almost from the outset, but was less noticeable when the total number of members was higher. Now, with the chapter running at a smaller size, the lack of contribution of effort from all members had a greater negative effect. Plainly, Carleton would have to break down the old conditioning which had made this a part of the chapter ethos for so long. In 2011, Carleton celebrated its 20th anniversary with the traditional Installation Banquet, held as in several previous years at the National Arts Centre. There was a large turnout of brothers from all periods of the chapter’s history, including several of the Founding Fathers. As always, brotherly high spirits ensured some loud and hearty Beta singing after dinner!
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Carleton University Chapter
The 20th anniversary logo
Brothers singing enthusiastically after the 20th anniversary banquet
Throughout the years after 2005, the chapter finished each year with a zero balance due to the General Fraternity. In several years, though, this involved borrowing money from alumni to balance the books. There was a danger that the active chapter might come to regard such loans not only as normal practice, but also as something to which the chapter was entitled. It was a sign that financial management still needed significant tightening of controls. The irony, then, was that the chapter fell into trouble again with the General Fraternity in the spring of 2012 for totally different reasons. Several years earlier the members of the chapter had made a decision to eliminate all forms of pre-initiation activities that might even potentially be considered hazing. Not all of the members agreed with that course of action, nor did all of the alumni. As well, the chapter stated as its priority that all rituals would be performed in timely fashion. This, too, gave rise to some dissension. The potential for a dangerous split was in the air. In April 2012, the chapter had to be put on “warning” status due to some pre-initiation hazing activities that were brought to the attention of the district chief. At the same time, it came to light that none of the new recruits of the last two classes had been formally initiated according to ritual. A few of the senior active members had to be placed on immediate alumni status. And just a week earlier, the president had resigned! The chapter had to regroup under a new executive, consisting almost entirely of men who had been members of the fraternity for less than a year. This, as can be seen in other sections of this book, has been a recipe for disaster in other chapters. A further difficulty was that only one member of the executive had — 335 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
been formally initiated! The key difference this time was that Epsilon Upsilon now had almost 200 members, and a large number of the alumni stepped up to the plate to offer assistance, advice, and direction. A new advisory board was created, made up of men who were determined to become much more actively involved in guiding and assisting the decisions of the inexperienced executive members. Very quickly, an initiation ritual was organized and held at the Abbott-Young Memorial Temple at St. Lawrence University. The alumni advisors and a few of the senior active members collaborated on this ceremony, which was accompanied by nearly the same level of emotion and excitement that characterized the first initiation of the Carleton colony’s Founding Fathers 23 years earlier. The newly-initiated officers of the new chapter executive certainly understood that they had their work cut out for them. But their determination was unmistakable, and they quickly formed positive ties with the alumni who had volunteered to advise them. Most critical of all was the role of Fraser MacQuarrie, Carleton ’09, a former chapter president who had returned to Carleton to do advanced degree work and assumed the role of chapter counsellor. MacQuarrie’s organizational skills were important in harnessing the alumni desire to help, and channelling it where it was most needed. Quickly, the new men took up the challenge and began to organize themselves for the school year, which still lay a few months in the future. One significant move was the rental, within a month after the initiation, of a house at 8 Lewis Street, in the area between Elgin Street and the Rideau Canal, to be occupied from July 2012 on. This would give the men a sorely-needed base to support their rebuilding and reorganizing efforts. Time will tell how the chapter will fare in the future. Much work remains to be done to return Epsilon Upsilon to the peak of its earlier days. As always in the past, though, the indomitable spirit and determination of the Carleton brothers will go far. In the end, that spirit has done more than anything else to keep the chapter afloat through all the ups and downs of its first two decades of existence.
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— Index —
Amherst Harold A. Bailey............................................................................................................... 124 Willard P. Smith................................................................................................................. 25 Ball State John Schaller.................................................................................................................... 267 Beloit Frank G. Ensign....................................................................................................... 128, 129 Bishop’s David Cole....................................................................................................................... 305 Philippe Hanna........................................................................................ 300, 302, 303, 305 Sasha Jacob....................................................................................................................... 300 Peter Neal......................................................................................................................... 288 Michael Riesberry..................................................................................... 283, 300, 301, 306 Eric Tardif................................................................................................................ 294, 295 Joseph Thomson....................................................................................... 299, 300, 305, 306 Philip Walker............................................................................................................ 288, 289 British Columbia Allan Ainsworth............................................................................................................... 142 Herbert Burke.................................................................................................................. 128 Maxwell A. Cameron........................................................................ 116, 127, 128, 132, 145 Kenneth Campbell........................................................................................................... 142 Lorne Campbell............................................................................................................... 160 W. Scott Canning............................................................................................................. 160 Alexander Charters........................................................................................................... 175 Ian D. Clark..................................................................................................................... 154 Allan Copping.................................................................................................. 162, 163, 164 Robin M. Elliot................................................................................................................ 157 Ivan R. Feltham................................................................................................................ 145 Richard French................................................................................................................. 154 Donald N. Ferguson......................................................................................................... 139 John D. Granger............................................................................................................... 139 Wilmer Haggerty.............................................................. 116, 122, 123, 127, 128, 130, 133 James C. Harmer.............................................................................................................. 139 Michael F. Harcourt......................................................................................................... 164 G. Sholto Hebenton......................................................................................................... 148 Larry Kancs...................................................................................................................... 160 Arnold Stanley Kerr.......................................................................................................... 146 William Kershaw.............................................................................................................. 160 Kevin Land....................................................................................................................... 160 — 337 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Edward Lavalle................................................................................................................. 154 Kenneth F. (Cuddles) Macdonald..................................................................... 134, 135, 139 A. Norman Martin........................................................................................................... 139 Murray Whorton Martindale............................................................................................ 146 Barry G. McDell...................................................................................... 153, 155, 156, 206 Robert F. Mcintyre........................................................................................................... 139 James F. McWilliams........................................................................................................ 144 A. Norman Martin........................................................................................................... 139 William Pedlar.................................................................................................................. 160 George Peter..................................................................................................................... 152 J. Ross Peters.................................................................................................................... 277 John Rea........................................................................................................................... 160 John Ronald Roberts................................................................................................ 133, 134 Donald Ross..................................................................................................................... 139 Robert M. Sinclair............................................................................................................ 139 John E. Storey.................................................................................................................. 139 James M. Strilesky............................................................................ 156, 162, 164, 166, 167 C.P.S. Taylor..................................................................................................................... 144 D. Blair Tully.................................................................................................................... 155 John Edward Turner.....................vii, ix, 93, 94, 99, 109, 142, 143, 163, 164, 174, 175, 253 Ronald Tysoe.................................................................................................................... 160 Robert Wallace................................................................................................................. 138 H. Ross Wilson................................................................................................................ 139 Alan G.. Young................................................................................. 156, 157, 161, 162, 164 Brock (colony) Daniel Mazor................................................................................................................... 230 Brown Bruce Lloyd.............................................................................................................. 293, 294 Francis Wayland Shepardson................... 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 45, 121, 123,125, 126, 128 Carleton Simon Brazier................................................................................................................... 283 Thomoas Golem....................................................................................................... 328, 334 Todd Houghton....................................................................................................... 312, 313 Sheldon Laporte............................................................................................... 277, 299, 323 Fraser MacQuarrie............................................................................................................ 336 Frederick Nieto................................................................................................................ 319 Brian Rogic.............................................................................................................. 332, 333 Peter Souw....................................................................................................... 326, 328, 334 Craig Watson............................................................................................................ 326, 327 Bradley Arthur Wilson Wylie............................................................ 311, 312, 313, 318, 326 Centre Jerry Blesch...................................................................................................... 171, 323, 324 George Howard Bruce.............................................................................................. 117, 118 Norm Dakin..................................................................................................................... 186 B. Hume Morris....................................................................... 211, 216, 242, 264, 266, 267 Cincinnati Thomas Cassady............................................................................................................... 318 Clifford C. Gregg............................................................................................. 180, 191, 192
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Index
Columbia John McCready.................................................................................................................. 36 Cornell H. Pearce Atkins....................................................................................................... 162, 197 James T. Brown................................................................................................................... 23 Charles E. Dykes.............................................................................................................. 196 Dartmouth H. Sheridan Baketel............................................................................................................ 44 Davidson James Martin.................................................................................................................... 210 Denison Francis Wayland Shepardson.......... 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 39, 45, 109, 121, 123, 125, 126, 128 Richard (Misty) Shoop............................................................................................... 93, 157 DePauw James L. Gavin................................................................................................................... 36 Richard E. Locke................................................................................................................ 25 G. Herbert Smith....................................................... 51, 128, 129, 132, 134, 138, 144, 187 Paul P. Van Riper.............................................................. 152, 193, 196, 199, 200, 218, 219 East Carolina Paul Puckett..................................................................................................... 296, 297, 317 Eastern Kentucky L. Martin Cobb..................................................................................................................xiii Florida Stephen B. Becker.................................................................................................... 283, 305 Guelph Timothy Bond.......................................................................................................... 247, 248 Mike Christie................................................................................................................... 247 Ross McKenzie................................................................................................................. 241 Rodney Monkman................................................................................................... 236, 242 Stuart Morcombe............................................................................................................. 249 Douglas Palm........................................................................................................... 246, 271 Jack Purdy........................................................................................................................ 239 David Redman................................................................................................................. 242 Darren Savage.................................................................................................................. 241 Colin Skeates.................................................................................................................... 253 Mark Tanden.................................................................................................................... 247 Peter Yungblut.................................................................................................................. 253 Idaho A.J.G. Priest....................................................................................................................... 62 William Stoneman............................................................................................................ 301 Indiana Wilbur D. Dunkel.............................................................................................................. 45
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Sons of the Northern Stars
Illinois Edwin C. Lesch................................................................................................................ 125 Iowa Todd Johnson................................................................................................................... 274 Iowa State Judson A. Horras.............................................................................................................. 226 Kansas Lloyd Kirk........................................................................................................................ 161 Kansas State Jack McClung.................................................................................................................. 164 P. Thomas Purinton.................................................................................................. 110, 226 John J. Rhodes..................................................................................... 14, 99, 164, 240, 242 Lynchburg Charles W. Warner............................................................................................. 12, 226, 306 Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Walter E.H. Massey................................................. 190, 262, 266, 276, 277, 280, 282, 284, . 291, 292, 293, 313, 316, 317, 318, 319, 323, 328 McGill Walter Bak........................................................................................................................ 282 Patrick Buchholz...................................................................................................... 261, 263 Marc Cernovitch...................................................................................................... 280, 282 Lorenzo Ferri.................................................................................................................... 276 Karl Foy-Cernovitch................................................................................................. 282, 283 Richard Priest................................................................................................................... 262 Doug Palm............................................................................................................... 246, 271 Ian Palm........................................................................................... 246, 261, 266, 267, 271 Robert Palm............................................................................................................. 271, 275 Richard Priest................................................................................................................... 262 Serge Robinette........................................................................................................ 263, 265 Timothy Edward Stiles............................................. 262, 263, 266, 267, 272, 276, 280, 281 Darren Tangen................................................................................................................. 275 William Traynor............................................................................................................... 276 Miami Peter Barnhart.................................................................................................................... 81 Jonathan Brant........................................................................................................... 93, 210 H.H. (Hi) Stephenson.............................................................................................. 210, 239 Michigan George M. Chandler.................................................................................. 26, 133, 193, 195 Michigan State Dale R. (Bud) Beatty........................................................................................................ 264 Minnesota Peter F. Greiner................................................................................................................. 157
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Index
Missouri Vince Del Pizzo................................................................................................ 276, 323, 324 Nebraska Burton W. Folsom............................................................................................................ 205 Northwestern Elmer H. Jennings............................................................................................................ 196 Oregon Thomas I. (Nish) Chapman...................................................................................... 133, 135 Pennsylvania William Altmann..................................................................................................... 182, 188 Bruce Lloyd.............................................................................................................. 293, 294 St. Lawrence Seth R. Brooks.......................................................................................... 127, 146, 188, 191 Peter Van de Water............................................................................................... 82, 83, 161 South Dakota Stephen Proctor................................................................................................................ 298 Stevens William Raimond Baird............................................................................................... 23, 24 Syracuse James Kirkgasser............................................................................................................... 230 Lewis E. Parmenter............................................................................................................. 44 Kenneth Rogers.................................................................................................................. 15 Texas A&M Conrad Hametner............................................................................................................ 223 Texas A&M, Corpus Christi Josh Machicek.................................................................................................................. 225 Toronto Alexander Watson Baird............................................................................................... 31, 37 Thomas Beament.............................................................................................................. 121 Fred E. Bryan..................................................................................................................... 35 Gordon Burke............ 82, 118, 121, 124, 126, 127, 128, 129, 132, 148, 149, 151, 152, 176 Adam Carson........................................................................................... 106, 108, 109, 110 Norman S. Caudwell........................................................................................ 35, 82, 83, 91 Joseph Dawson............................................................................................................. 82, 83 Carman B. Draper.............................................................................................................. 35 Lawrence Drew-Brook........................................................................................................ 35 John Durran..................................................................................................................... 188 Frederick Horace DuVerner................................................................................................ 23 Thomas E. Eakin................................................................................................................ 23 W. Gordon Firstbrook........................................................................................................ 35 David (Keener) Free......................................................................................................... 106 John M. (Jack) Geddes............. 169, 208, 210, 212, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236, 237, 247, 248 John E.L. Graham.............................................................................................................. 51 — 341 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Daniel Galer Hagarty......................................................................................................... 37 George Hagerty.................................................................................................................. 23 Eric Halenby...................................................................................................................... 37 Harold A. Hall (HAH)....................................................................................................... 43 James Frederick Hall......................................................................................................... 107 Robert Gordon Hamilton................................................................................................... 37 Beverley Hannah.............................. 31, 46, 47, 62, 63, 82, 83, 84, 103, 111, 117, 148, 217 James Cuthbert Hartney..................................................................................................... 37 Charles Sumner Herzberg................................................................................................. 107 John R. Hetherington......................................................................................................... 61 Sidney C. Hetherington..................................................................................................... 61 Arthur Hillary.................................................................................................................. 182 W. Anthony Houghton.................................................................................................... 313 John Turner Howard.......................................................................................................... 37 Douglas A. Johnson............................................................................................................ 61 Douglas R. Johnson............................................................................................................ 61 Harlan David Kelley......................................................................................................... 107 Arthur Gerald Knight......................................................................................................... 37 David A. Legge................................................................................................................... 61 Kenneth C. Legge............................................................................................................... 61 Carle B. Lowndes......................................................................................................... 35, 45 Douglas Maclean.......................................................................................................... 24, 45 Robert D. Macauley........................................................................................... 35, 123, 128 Maurice Edward (Mike) Malone................................................ 37, 38, 46, 52, 55, 111, 136 Robert (Rob) McConnell..................... 88, 99, 230, 232, 236, 237, 239, 262, 263, 288, 289 Barstow H. Miller............................................................................................................... 35 William Ernest Bristol Moore................................................................... 21, 22, 25, 46, 311 Jeff Mores......................................................................................................................... 226 Gordon Morris................................................................................................................. 127 D.W. Morrison............................................................................................................. 35, 37 Stanley Neal............................................................................................................... 91, 288 Harry Reid Nicholson........................................................................................................ 37 Peter Van Norman............................................................................................................ 196 Jack Northcote................................................................................................................... 60 Henry George Northway.................................................................................................. 107 William H. Palm................................................................................................ 61, 267, 271 William Palm, Jr......................................................................................................... 61, 271 G. Vert Rayner....................................................................................................... 35, 42, 43 Douglas Reid...................................................................................................................... 83 Bruce Sale..................................................................................................................... 64, 65 Ronald Franklin Sedgwick................................................................................................ 107 Gerald Shier..................................................................................................................... 190 Ernest Alroy Simpson......................................................................................................... 37 Joseph Donald Simpson..................................................................................................... 37 John Skinner.......................................................................................................... 33, 34, 35 Arnold C. Smith................................................................................................................. 50 Geoffrey Allan Snow........................................................................................................... 37 Bredin Stapells.................................................................................................................... 58 Kenneth Stephen.............................................................................................................. v, xi John Stephenson................................................................................................................. 90 George Stacey Stratford...................................................................................................... 37 Paul Surtel.................................................................................................................. 98, 238 Bertie Luther Symmes.................................................................................... 42, 43, 61, 123 George Luther Symmes...................................................................................................... 61 — 342 —
Index
Richard Luther Symmes..................................................................................................... 61 Brian Tunnicliffe................................................................................................................. 63 G.E. Wait........................................................................................................................... 35 Owen Stephen Williams...................v, 54, 63, 69, 71, 73, 81, 82, 83, 93, 94, 102, 103, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 196, 203, 283, 298 Donald Yeomans.............................................................................................................. 314 Fred W. Young.............................................................................................................. 63, 70 Stan Zuly...................................................................................................................... 72, 73 Union George W. Campbell.......................................................................................................... 55 Washington Gordon Burke................................................... 82, 117, 118, 121. 126, 127, 128, 129, 132, 146, 148, 149, 151, 152, 176, 217 Ray Eckman............................................................................................................. 123, 125 Washington & Jefferson Edward C. Friedrichs.......................................................................................................... 91 Washington State Stanley R. Church.................................................................................................... 138, 142 Western Ontario David Clutchey................................................................................................................ 231 Mark Conron........................................................................................................... 290, 295 David Corbeth......................................................................................................... 211. 212 Michael Corbeth...................................................................................................... 211, 212 Neville Corbeth........................................................................................................ 211, 212 Robert Corbeth........................................................................................................ 211, 212 Kevin Dale............................................................................................................... 231, 232 John Duke........................................................................................................................ 214 F.M. Engelhardt............................................................................................................... 230 Scott Falconer................................................................................................... 103, 226, 230 Alex Faust......................................................................................................................... 260 Brock Fuller...................................................................................................................... 200 Michael Gates........................................................................................................... 211, 260 John M. (Jack) Geddes............. 169, 208, 210, 212, 230, 231, 232, 235, 236, 237, 247, 248 John Geddes, Jr................................................................................................................ 208 Ian Haley.......................................................................................................................... 231 Nelson Hart..................................................................................................................... 224 Randy Lewis............................................................................................................. 247, 255 William Logie........................................................................................................... 218, 297 Greg MacKenzie............................................................................................................... 281 Barrie Martland................................................................................................................ 224 Bennett McBride.............................................................................................................. 226 Robert McClelland........................................................................................................... 199 Duncan McLarty........................................................................................ 82, 192, 199, 217 William McMurray.................................................................................................. 199, 219 James Mignault........................................ 210, 216, 217, 218, 221, 247, 249, 250, 260, 313 Richard Mignault............................................................................................................. 210 Carl Park.......................................................................................................................... 208 Steven Peirone.................................................................................................................. 207 David Peterson................................................................................................................. 211 — 343 —
Sons of the Northern Stars
Louis Pollack.................................................................................................................... 208 Douglas Reid.................................................................................................... 106, 206, 207 Paul Romanson................................................................................................................ 224 Ged Tillman..................................................................................................................... 206 Robert D. Weese.............................................................................................................. 204 Mark Wellman................................................................................................................. 225 Michael Wooding..................................................................................................... 204, 205 Wesleyan John K. (Jack) Eaton, Jr............................................................................................ 318, 319 William & Mary MacGregor Hill........................................................................................................ 226, 305 Wittenberg Benjamin C. Grosscup...................................................................................................... 129 Wooster John Ker Davis................................................................................................................. 135 Non-Betas John D. Arnup, QC............................................................................................... 68, 69, 74 Marijke Corbet......................................................................................................... 211, 212 Harold A. Hall (HAH) Theta Zeta Corp............................................................................. 43 (Dr.) Hall, Sigma Chi (Western Ontario)......................................................................... 181 B.E. Hauser.............................................................................................................. 143, 144 King Edward VIII.............................................................................................................. 25 P.M. Sir Wilfrid Laurier...................................................................................................... 21 Jenna Noah........................................................................................................................xiii Queen Elizabeth II........................................................................................................... 162 Alma (Mrs. Mac) McIlroy.................................................................................... 64, 65, 199 Olive (Mom) Munday.............................................................................................. 199, 200 Martha Prewitt................................................................................................................... 36 Ben Wooglin............................................................................................................ 241, 242
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“The history of any Beta chapter is made up of triumphs and tragedies, of successes and failures. . . . the histories of two chapters are never exactly alike.”
Ken has been working, formally and informally, with many of the eastern Canadian chapters for more than 25 years, including four years as chief of District XXXVIII. Ken taught high school in Elliot Lake, Ont., for 32 years and was active in many community organizations there. Since retiring in 2010, Ken has lived in Woodstock Ont., much closer to his home chapter of Toronto. He enjoys having more time for writing, blogging and travel. He now serves as ritual advisor to the Carleton chapter, and in his “spare time” holds the volunteer position of vice president of Theatre Ontario.
Jacket art: Jenna Noah, graphic designer, Beta Theta Pi. Printed in U.S.A. in 2013 by Alliance Printing & Mailing Services. All rights reserved.
Accordingly, the Foundation is grateful to Ken Stephen, Toronto ’77, for authoring another treasure in the library of Beta books. Sons of the Northern Stars explores the rich history of Beta’s Canadian chapters through personal accounts and anecdotes. As with every generation, it is important and critical that significant resources are invested in actively developing the young leaders of tomorrow. The Beta Theta Pi Foundation is proud of its unique role and historic partnership in helping the larger Fraternity achieve its important mission, vision and ever-evolving goals. For information on how one can best personally advance the efforts of the Beta Foundation, please contact an Administrative Office staff member in Oxford at 800.800.BETA or www.betathetapi.org.
STEPHEN
To purchase a copy of Sons of the Northern Stars, contact the Beta Theta Pi Administrative Office in Oxford, Ohio: 800.800.BETA.
The Beta Theta Pi Foundation plays an instrumental role in “developing men of principle for a principled life.” Primary funder of the Men of Principle initiative since its inception in 1998, the Foundation plays a key role in the success of the Fraternity by securing, investing and allocating generous donor gifts to leadership and educational programs that serve the Fraternity’s members and constituents – ones with noteworthy, effective, proven results.
SONS OF THE NORTHERN STARS
A proud Toronto Beta, Ken served his chapter as recorder for two years and attended the 137th General Convention in 1976 as chapter delegate. In the years since he has attended 28 more conventions (27 of them consecutive.)
In 19 0 6, t he T het a Z et a Chapter at the Universit y of Toronto received its charter, becoming the f irst chapter of Beta Theta Pi to emerge in Canada. Upon the accomplishments of the Theta Zeta Chapter, the idea of expansion was ever present amidst students on other Canadian campuses. Yet, for the next three decades, Theta Zeta stood proudly, but remained the lone chapter. As years passed, new chapters were chartered, while others failed to become more than a colony. There is a value in knowing one’s heritage; lessons to be learned, memories to be shared and bonds to be created. This extensive a ntholog y of a necdotes a nd stories will keep the reader enthralled and entertained. Sons of the Northern Stars is the fi rst comprehensive history of Beta Theta Pi in Canada. Detailing more than 100 years of Beta brotherhood in Canada, it adds meaning and significance regarding the special contributions of “Canadian Kai” to a Great and Good Fraternity: • The historic Toronto Chapter Fund and the story of Mike Malone, Toronto 1917 • Memorializing brothers lost through the difficulties of war; • British Columbia’s roster of Rhodes S c h o l a r s a n d d om i n a n c e i n t h e classroom and on the ball field; • Western Ontario’s loyal alumni, and the emergence of four energetic new chapters in the ’80s/90s; • And what may be considered the greatest of contributions to Beta Theta Pi, that unique, inspiring Canadian Beta Spirit. What began as a 75th anniversary tribute to the author’s own chapter, Sons of the Northern Stars symbolizes a 33-year research and story-telling project that adds additional depth to the library of treasured Beta books. And for that, the Fraternity is especially grateful to Ken Stephen, Toronto ’77.