1. I."EARLY" FRATERNITY EXPERIENCE @ DePAUW
   

DePauw has never had a shortage of fraternities. You may be aware that the first fraternity appeared on the old Indiana Asbury campus in 1845, and the first sorority, Kappa Alpha Theta, in 1870. In fact, seven (7) fraternities and two (2) sororities continue in operation, since the Indiana Asbury period.

Those fraternities are: Beta Theta Pi; Phi Kappa Psi; Sigma Chi; Delta Tau Delta; Phi Gamma Delta; Phi Delta Theta; and Delta Kappa Epsilon.

In 1884, W. C. DePauw offered to become a substantial benefactor to Indiana Asbury -- in exchange for which benefaction, the trustees eagerly made their pragmatic decision to change the name of their institution-to read (ever thereafter) DePAUW UNIVERSITY. In the succinct language of the then vice-president, John Clark Ridpath, the transition was described as follows: "The Indiana Asbury that was, has become the DePauw University that is."

In the years following the "DePauw" transition, six (6) fraternities and eight (8) sororities were added. Those fraternities were as follows: Delta Upsilon; Sigma Nu; Alpha Tau Omeag, DELTA CHI; Lambda Chi Alpha; and Sigma Alpha Epsilon.

II. FRATERNITY LIFE, PRIOR TO WORLD WAR I

It might be logical to imagine DePauw fraternity life, prior to the turn-of-the-century, as somehow similar to fraternity life as we know it today. We might allow that life in those "old days" was more quaint, more museum-like, more like "Walt Disney World" --- but otherwise, pretty much as we find campus life today. Logical? Perhaps. Accurate? Not quite.

The facts are these. DePauw, and many other universities at that time, did not permit their fraternities to be "residence fraternities." Chapters met only occasionally in rented rooms of commercial buildings throughout Greencastle. It was not until 1889, when Phi Kappa Psi first rented an entire building for their exclusive use as a "Chapter Building," could anyone point to a structure in Putnam county and declare, absolutely, that here (at last) was a fraternity property --- albeit a rented property. In 1890, the Betas purchased a small house from a retiring professor, and they began actual residency on a small scale.

By 1905, nine (9) fraternities, including the Betas and the Phi Psis, lived in small houses -- either owned or rented. Likewise, six (6) sororities were residence-houses. However, it was not until 1913 that we can find evidence of a "real" fraternity house -- a brick structure -- designed for housing students. Sigma Chi had erected a new house as their "residence" Chapter House -- a brick structure -- designed for housing students.

III. THE GREAT FRATERNITY "BUILDING BOOM"

University life for men at DePauw was interrupted by World War I; but, when school resumed in the fall of 1919, the university administration could not restrain the zest for fraternity experience. The great fraternity "Building Boom" was to begin in full operation. During this period, all of the existing fraternities joined the Betas and Sigs with new, first-rate chapter houses -- built to house students in large numbers.

4. IV.NEW FRATERNITIES
   
   

During this post World War decade, two (2) fraternities went through the processes of (1) establishing "local" chapters (2) building new chapter houses and (3) attracting national fraternity charters. In 1924, Alpha Tau Omega was chartered from a "local," which dated back to 1920. As you men know, DELTA CHI chartered our "local," Kappa Phi Sigma, in 1928. Our chapter founders presented our "National" with a fine, new house -- built in the architectural style of a large, Mediterranean villa. Hence, our original house nickname was "Villa Lante."

In 1939, another "local" achieved affiliation with Lambda Chi Alpha --- who had had antecedent experience on the DePauw campus. In 1949, yet another "local" affiliated with Sigma Alpha Epsilon -- also known as "Sigma After Everyone." The SAEs purchased the old Alpha Chi Omega chapter house, and they remain there, today.

The last sorority to be established at DePauw was Delta Gamma in 1950.

And so, the Greek family of DePauw was completed.

5. V.UNIVERSITY ATTITUDES
   
   

As fraternity men, we look fondly upon our experiences. We like to think that fraternity, indeed, means "fraternity." We like to think that fraternity means student self-government, and the countless opportunities for effective leadership within that process of self-government. We say that we are a legitimate "community of scholars."

However, our university has seldom shared our sense of enthusiasm and idealism for "fraternity." In 1919, university president, George R. Grose, reported to the trustees that our fraternities tended to "cultivate extravagance, to foster an exclusive spirit, and to become cheap loafing clubs --rather than well-ordered residences. The over-crowded conditions in most of them produce conditions unfavorable for study." Sound familiar?

VI. DELTA CHI's "ROOTS"

The 1928 DELTA CHI charter had its antecedent on the DePauw campus in 1892. During the 1880s, and until 1894, DePauw offered an undergraduate School of Law, which issued a LLB (Bachelor of Law) degree. In those days, a post-graduate degree in law was not required for state licensing of attorneys. Apparently, lawyers were not as well paid as their counter-parts of today. In the 1890s, theology students outnumbered the future lawyers on campus by a wide margin.

In any event, the legal fraternity from Cornell University caused quite a stir among law students across the country. After all, Robert Todd Lincoln was one of their early members A group of DePauw law students petitioned DELTA CHI for a charter in 1982, and became one of the first franchised chapters.

However, in 1894, the DePauw Law School was in financial trouble; and the university trustees were only too happy to arrange for the wholesale transfer of students, faculty, and library to the Northwestern University School of Law in Evanston, Illinois. Thus ended DELTA CHI's initial experience at DePauw.

Between 1894 and the 1920s, the zeal for fraternities reached an historic high-water mark. DePauw had no shortage of big-name fraternities; AND YET two (2) major chapters called themselves into existence, and attracted large followings in the 1920s. So it was with ATO and DELTA CHI.

In our case, KAPPA PHI SIGMA was an interesting group. They met in a rented room, at first. Then, they rented an entire house. Apparently, the "key" to their Chapter Room could be opened only by the key from Phi Beta Kappa -- the coveted national scholastic honorary. Yes, many of our chapter forbearers were Phi Beta Kappa, and our "local," KAPPA PHI SIGMA, was powerful in terms of scholarship. Can you imagine any of their chapter meetings? These clever men imagined for themselves simply gigantic plans. They flat resolved to build a new, first-rate fraternity house --- and none of them had any money.

The father of Jim and George Obear was a successful Indianapolis attorney, and perhaps he helped them to devise the elaborate plan for issuing both common and preferred stock in Locust Street Realty --- an unincorporated association of investors. Then, the KAPPA PHI SIGMAs sold this very dubious stock wherever they could. With the proceeds, they qualified the equity-base necessary for a property mortgage.

Imagine if our present chapter house were destroyed by some uninsured hazard, and we were left without a house. Would you men love your chapter enough to "sell stocks," or whatever, to qualify for a new house mortgage? If this would seem to be an awesome task by today's banking standards, you may be certain that their task was equally awesome in 1928 --- and they did it.

We said that the KAPPA PHI SIGMAs were college kids without money. Let me illustrate just how "broke" they were. When Mr. O. K. Patton, "CC" of the DELTA CHI National in 1928, required $75.00 for the chartering fee, the men could not produce the cash. Joe Beaseley, a Phi Beta Kappa and the captain of the DePauw baseball team, came up with a plan. An industrial baseball league was entering its championship game in Washington, Indiana. Joe and two (2) varsity baseball playing brothers agreed to play this final game for one of these teams IF the industrial sponsor would pay each of them $25.00. The sponsor agreed ONLY IF his team won. Our chapter history literally rode upon the strong bats of Joe Beaseley and his two (2) KAPPA PHI SIGMA brothers. They won, and we won, and O. K. Patton returned to "National" with our $75.00.

VII. GOING "UP-CAMPUS"

The newly chartered DELTA CHIs were brainy, brawny, and a long way from the center of campus. As you might suspect, these clever founders devised a "plan." One of the members had his father's Model "T" Ford truck on campus. Date-nights were strictly limited to Friday and Saturday evenings -- until 12:00 midnight, exactly. Shortly after midnight on most Friday and Saturday evenings, our intrepid forbearers would load an up-right piano (which they bought "used" for $10.00) onto the deck of that shaky old Model "T" truck. Then, our men would travel to the various sororities and ladies dorms --- serenading them in three-part harmony. I once asked a brother of that vintage if they made this beautiful effort to gain recognition and respect within the campus community. He said, "Hell no. DELTA CHIs always ended up with the prettiest girls, and our singing helped to make that happen. That's all."after the chartering, the DELTA CHI's were the "new kids on the block." Their numbers were small, and their talents were enormous. Competing against the up-campus fraternities was never easy, and so our older brothers devised a "plan" for "quality growth" through Spring Pledging. Throughout the 1930s, 1940s, and the 1950s, our chapter was very intentional about pledging the best available rush candidates, during the Spring Rush season. Some of the older fraternities assumed they could rush well enough, during Fall Rush, only. So, while the older fraternities relaxed in the springtime, the DELTA CHIs were aggressively "spiking" from among the best talent in the forthcoming freshman classes.

The rush "message" was easy to understand. They would ask the rush-prospects how they might image themselves as future leaders within a young organization -- which offered them room and opportunity for leadership. Apparently, this "message" proved to be appealing -- because DELTA CHI quickly established itself as a "House of Leaders." In 1947, Fisk Field won the coveted "Walker Cup." Campus "Gold Keys" soon outnumbered the Phi Beta Kappa "Keys." The Publication Building was euphemistically referred to as the "DELTA CHI ANNEX." Top quality leadership became so common that certain "Gold Key" DELTA CHIs lost out to other DELTA CHI "Gold Keys, during the annual selection of the Chapter Luminary awards.

8. VIII.ANECDOTE: "I CAN'T TAKE IT ANYMORE!”
   
   

In the late 1940s, a DELTA CHI psychology student was quietly working his way through a Final Exam. It was a sunny and hot day in May -- and the classroom. was perfectly quiet. Our DELTA CHI suddenly jumped to his feet, and screamed, "I can't take it, anymore!" The professor looked aghast. Fellow students were "frozen" with shock. Nobody moved -- except, of course, our DELTA CHI friend. He ran to the large, open second-story window of this Harrison Hall classroom, climbed onto the window sill with both feet, and (without a further word to anyone) jumped to certain injury, or perhaps even to his death_ The horrified professor and the trembling class of psychology students raced to. the windows to see the broken remains of our DELTA CHI brother. What they found was a laughing young man -- suspended on a canvas tarpaulin -tightly held by fifteen or twenty loyal brothers of the "Bond."

This moment was not lost to history, either, Some of the journalist brothers photographed the jumping sequence in great detail, and the picture-with-story made the national news services (A.P. & U.P.I.), instantly. Without a doubt, DePauw University received more recognition from this classic story than from any other event in that school year. Indeed, DELTA CHI put DePauw on the "Map" in that year.

9. IX.THE WAR YEARS --- 1942 THROUGH 1945
   
   

Most DePauw men did not complete school year 1942-1943. Every able-bodied man entered military service. By Christmas of 1942, most of the men were gone. However, the U.S. Navy trained WAVS (Women's Auxiliary Volunteer Service) in certain of the "empty" DePauw classrooms. One of the available housing units was the DELTA CHI house. What a different place this must have been with women residents. At least, they kept the place clean.

10. X.THE "VETERANS" RETURN
    
    

Except for Robert Hagemann, Chapter "A", and another brother named Fauschnut (both of whom were killed in action) -- the brothers returned to DELTA CHI as "veterans." The impact upon the freshmen pledges must have been awful.

Fraternities nationwide operated as quasi-military units in which the semblance of discipline was paramount, and the observance of rank superiority between Actives and Pledges was constantly reinforced by a host of rules and rituals. For example, freshmen were integrated throughout the House with upper-classmen roommates. The purpose of this arrangement was to provide each room with a live-in janitor. Without schedule or warning, the Pledge Master (usually a "Mafia" type) would conduct inspections of rooms. He would wear a pair of freshly washed white-gloves, and he would use the fingers to find dirt dirt --- perhaps over door-frame, or perhaps other various surfaces. Clothes had to be picked up at all times. Each day, freshmen had to dust, vacuum, and dry-mop their rooms. Each Saturday, freshmen had to wash windows, was floors, and render at least two (2) hours of service. Toilets, showers, the kitchen, the dining room, the Parlors, the yard, the commissary, the House Mother's quarters, and even the dormitory were thoroughly cleaned -- each weekend -- and this work was subject to tight inspection.

Freshmen were required to carry (1) Notebook (2) Pen and (3) Matches at all times; and they were required to wear a small, green "beanie" cap, whenever they left the House. WHY? The Notebook had to be produced for any Active, who wanted to write down a demerit in the Pledge's book. The Pen had to be produced on demand for any Active, so that he would have an instrument for writing down any demerit in the Pledge's book. The Matches were required in case any upper-classman, Active or coed, needed a "light" for a cigarette. In those days, cigarettes were considered both fashionable and healthy. The green "beanie" was an all campus requirement for all fraternity pledges.

This "Military Mentality" seemed to have four (4) objectives in our Pledge Training:

1. To exploit the freshmen as a work force.

2. To enforce the learning of pledge lessons (Hazing).

3. To break-down the former "High School" person of the pledge, so that a new "fraternity" person might develop in its place.

4. 4.To encourage freshman class unity through the process of class work efforts and from class deprivation.
   
   

This system was ruthlessly efficient. If a freshman failed to keep his room clean, he was (individually) punished. If the Class failed to do a proper job with their Saturday duties, the entire class would be punished. The effects of the punishment virtually guaranteed future compliance.

Insubordination -- Pledge to "Veteran" Active,-- simply was not tolerated. The House was kept spotlessly clean. The freshmen were obedient, and they were being trained to make these same expectations from future pledges. Everything was neat, clean, orderly, and efficient. This basic system remained operative in most aspects through the mid-1960s.

Here is a curious detail. No one ever de-pledged. I cannot recall any.

11. XI.ANECDOTE: THE "WILD" VETERANS
    
    

In 1946, men from all of the military services returned to 912 S. Locust Street -- including an exceptionally high number of pilots. Mostly fighter pilots. You probably know that Captain Eddie Rickenbacker was the most decorated Flying Ace of W. W. I. In W. W. II, someone else was the "Ace" with the most "Kills." Second to old what's-his-name was a DELTA CHI named Alex Varachu (sp. ?). History records that he was, in fact, the fighter pilot with the second highest number of combat "Kills."

Maybe Alex was just a little tense from all of those aerial "Dog Fights." He seemed to need a lot of loving, when he returned to Greencastle. The sorority sisters around campus did the best they could, but (still) Alex seemed a bit lonely. He met some "Townies," including an attractive married gal. One winter evening, Alex was enjoying a moment of sweet when her husband (very unexpectedly) returned playful Alex was totally unaware until he heard the loud pounding against the locked bedroom door. You might be wondering, did our War Hero stand his ground and fight? By the time Alex could grab his pants and shoes, the wooden door literally exploded open --- revealing a very upset husband, estimated to stand about 17-ft. tall. Alas, our Alex was not brave, but he was quick. He dove through the closed window -- and went running through the streets of Greencastle, with, his pants in one hand and his shoes in the other -- praying aloud the combat soldier's earnest prayer for deliverance. Indeed, the "Veterans" had returned to campus.

12. XII.SUNDAY: A SPECIAL DAY
    
    

Sunday was a special day. The noon meal was "formal," every Sunday. The dress-code called for suits-and-ties. Lighting was by candles, only. Our waiters wore short, white jackets. Actives (only) could invite coed guests, providing they made advanced reservations for them. These were relaxed, unhurried, leisurely meals -- requiring about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Following the main dinner course, the DELTA CHI men would sing the sorority songs of each unit - as represented by the coed guests. Usually, this would involve about a half-dozen songs. Then, the men would sing five, or six, DELTA CHI songs -- and perhaps a few others.

No one was excused to leave the dining room, early. After all of the songs and conversations were completed, we would depart in order: (1) House Mother & Escort (usually, the Chapter "A"), (2) Actives-with-dates, (3) Actives without dates, and (4) Freshmen.

13. XIII."HELL WEEK"
    
    

You have all heard about Hell Week. The last Hell Week at DELTA CHI was administered in early March of 1955. It was an intense week --- designed to "test" the loyalty and toughness of those freshmen pledges, who sought to become Actives in this Chapter.

Hell Week varied greatly from house to house; but you may rest assured that, DELTA CHI's was very challenging. It was the creation of war veterans from W. W. II and Korea. Within the Greek community, Hell Week was not only considered an indispensable "test" --- it was actually popular. All of the sororities on campus practiced a "sissy" form of Hell Week with the coed pledges, immediately prior to their initiations.

Hell Week consisted of intense hazing, intense physical work, and a tremendous loss of sleep. Almost anyone could endure the hazing and the hard work. But our loss of sleep was a killer.

Some of Hell Week was pure nonsense. For example, pledges had to wear two (2) fresh eggs in our "Jock Straps." Periodically, the Pledge Master "checked" for the freshness of these eggs by breaking a few randomly sampled eggs from among the pledge classmates. If the eggs broke in the steel bucket, all was well. If someone had substituted a hard-boiled egg, each-pledge would carry one (1) additional egg for this transgression. Likewise, if a pledge lost an egg, it was cheerfully replaced with two (2) more.

Pledge Brother Dick Moore and I sat in the front row of an eight o'clock Spanish class. By the middle of Hell Week, we would hope to sleep in any class -- especially in one at eight o'clock in the morning. By the middle of the Hell Week, we would hope to sleep in any class -- especially in one at eight o'clock in the morning. Dick Moore tried to position himself as comfortably as possible in his old student desk chair, when he committed the unpardonable mistake of crossing his legs. One farm-fresh chicken egg literally shot out of his right pants leg, and broke unceremoniously in front of Senor Carl -- the Spanish Professor. He exclaimed, "El Heuvo!" The whole class enjoyed a good laugh on us.

 - The preceding was written by Brother C.E. Ray in 1986.