Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Gamma Chapter Purdue University 80th Anniversary Banquet 1932 – 2012

1. Alpha Phi Omega Alpha Gamma Chapter Purdue University 80th Anniversary Banquet 1932 – 2012 Our 80 Year History by Tony Ploughe, ΑΓ ‘86

2. Founding Story of Alpha Gamma “Even before APO came to Purdue there had been a number of students interested in Scouting and who were, therefore, devoting part of their spare time to serving as assistant Scoutmasters or merit badge counselors for troops in Harrison Trails Council. Through this association the various students became acquainted with each other. When in the late fall of 1931 this group heard about Alpha Phi Omega, they decided to form a chapter at Purdue. With due investigation and application and the help of a ritual team from the nearby University of Illinois chapter, Alpha Gamma was founded on May 20, 1932.” Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957

3. Alpha Gamma Charter Members May 20th, 1932 Robert M. Price Byron A. Burchby Paul A. Wolf William O. Orsinger William H. Foland Franklin T. White Lowell F. Baker James F. McDaniel Richard R. Lovell Arthur C. Golden Melvin P. Hemmer Herbert L. Creek * George I. Calvert H. Gerald Venemann * Oscar G. Reiber W. Lynn Parkinson * David M. Eckman Eugene L. Wheeler * Robert E. Jordan Richard G. Dukes * David F. Carter * Denotes Advisor Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957 (According to the recreation of the original charter)

4. Alpha Gamma in the 30’s 1933 6 Pledges 1936 25 Pledges Pledge Hours Requirements were: 15-30 hours Pledge Boards were used from almost the start ● Shape of the APO Key ● The reverse side has signatures 1933-1939 Annual Scout Day at Purdue ● Boy Scouts from all over Indiana invited ● In a Parade, went to a football game, Campus Tour 1938-1946 Campus Wide Finger Printing Chapter Project ● 2500 students finger printed ● J. Edgar Hoover sent letter to Lafayette Chief of Police, presented to the chapter, commending APO at Purdue. Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957

5. Eric Wadleigh Pictured from Alpha Gamma, Torch & Trefoil, Nov 1937

6. How Overnighter was started: 1930’s: Pledge Hikes were started ● “Pledgemaster usually ends up in the nearest body of water.” ● “Some work is planned and there are refreshments for all.” During WWII: ‘The Pledge Hike turns into an all night affair, (1941-1945) ending in the formal initiation ceremonies.’ 1957: “...the hike is turning into a Pledge-Active camping trip…” “Some time during the trip the pledges traditionally present a skit to the actives.” 2007: 50 Years Later: The Pledge-Active Camping Trip with the planned work is still going strong, known now as Overnighter. Overnighter: Includes a day of projects at a local camp, group pictures are immediately after lunch, including a picture from each pledge class at Overnighter there. Quite a few alumni show up for this event too. Often the Pledges take on the Actives in football, while some continue getting sigs. There is dinner, pledge review that seems to last all night, followed by a bonfire. (Video: Skits ..\..\..\Desktop\1 Stacie Meyers Skit.wmv..\..\..\Desktop\Linda Psycho Anstett imitating lisa stultz.wmv..\..\..\Desktop\8 Dave Wahl story telling at Cahill S94.wmv)Without a doubt, the most memorable event of the semester. Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957

7. Alpha Gamma in the 40’s 1942 Best Pledge Award started: 1st Recipient: Ross O. Shideler “…a decorated and very empty whiskey bottle…” 1947 Student Council asked APO to help run Campus Elections 1947 Frederick Hovde, Purdue University President inducted to Alpha Gamma 1948 First Alpha Gamma office in the Memorial Union Steve Lovelace gives away the Bird Dog Award he received the Spring 90 semester. (An empty wine bottle.)

8. How Blood Drives started: 1947: Alpha Gamma started a Blood Type List Program on campus ● 25 people from each class on file at Univ. Student Health Center 1949: List included all Alpha Gamma members & other students too 2007: Chapter works closely with Central Indiana Regional Blood Center each semester, as a week long campus wide blood drive. Members wear Charlie Corpuscle APO assists with recruiting donations, handing out (Photo: Approx. Spring ’89) juice, cookies and help off the floor (if needed). Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957(Photo: Approx. Spring ’89)

9. How Cancer Society Fundraisers started: 1949: Cancer Tag Day started 1950s: Cancer Tag Day continued on & off. By 1957, over $750 contributed to Cancer Societies ’80s-’90s: Daffodil Sales for American Cancer Society on campus Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957 John Mitchell & Jack ____ receiving contribution in downtown Lafayette. (Photo: Late 40s – 50s) Dick Newman accepting Cancer Foundation Contribution during Tag Day. (Photo: Late 40s – 50s)

10. 1949 Indiana Governor, Henry Schricker Initiated as Honorary Member George Cahill Pres. Hovde Prof. Barnett Tom R. Johnson Gov. Schricker C.M. Finnell Prof. Den Uyl Don Dynes

11. APO Calendars for Campus Students: 1949: ‘Alpha Gamma publishes a Fall Semester Calendar Listing dances, convocations, lectures & Organization meetings Sold to students on campus.’ - ‘This met with moderate success and was continued.’ 1951: Fall semester; ‘Profit was smaller and work greater.’ ‘Chapter dropped the project.’ 1952: ‘Mortar Board Honorary revives the project’ to what is known as a very succesful Mortar Board Calendar. Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957

12. Alpha Gamma National Board Members Dan Den Uyl APO National President 1950 – 1954 1954 National Pledge Class Namesake 1958 National DSK George Cahill APO National T&T Editor 1948 - 1950 George Cahill is presenting Purdue Professor and Alpha Gamma Advisor Dan Den Uyl with a Pearl Key in recognition of his service to Alpha Phi Omega. (Photo: Late 40s – Early 50s.)

13. Alpha Gamma in the 50’s 1950s Pledge Class Banners were first made. 1951 Senior Paddles were first started 1951 Swimming & Life Saving Training started at YMCA Pool, Project continued thru 60s 1950 UMOC (Ugly Man on Campus) started by the Purdue Campus Chest Committee. Alpha Gamma had an active part. 1956 Alpha Gamma began sponsoring UMOC Funds contributed to: Polio Fund Heart Assoc., CARE, Comm Fund of Laf., American Red Cross 1956 raised $3068.60 1957 raised $1892.70 (Mid-Late 50s UMOC Photo) Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957 Phil Wankat (Senior), Course Director 22Feb 1966 Photo,

14. Alpha Gamma in the 50’s Continued 1957 Best Pledge Board was started 1957 25th year anniversary of Alpha Gamma Over 1100 members joined Alpha Gamma in first 25 years! Pledge class sizes were between 6 & 60. (The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957) 1957 APO Office, still known to be in the Memorial Center, Rm B-80 Spring ‘60 Pres. Hovde Pledge Class L to R: John Woods, (Sr); Pres. Hovde, Byron Niemeier (Sr) & Ron Alley (Soph) Pledge Class President Spring 57 John Sharp Pledge Class Banner

15. Dwight Scarseth Award 1954 Dwight Scarseth, Active in Spring ’54 ● Had accomplished several Alpha Gamma Officer positions ● Junior editor of the Exponent ● Joke Paddle was given to him that spring for being a Senior nine 1954 “…passed on after a freak accident in a softball game in Minnesota” (Summer ’54) 1954 Fall, “…Chapter created the Outstanding Senior Award. “This was the combined effort to honor G. Dwight Scarseth for his accomplishment in furthering the ideals and principles of Alpha Phi Omega and to perpetuate the chapter’s continuing interest in top senior APO leaders.” “The second paddle was given for the first time on Dec 12, 1954.” Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957

16. Alpha Gamma in the 60’s 1960s Boy Scout Lifesaving and Swimming training continue. 1961 Dedication of a living Memorial for Advisor & Prof Dan Den Uyl “…a white pine was dedicated with a bronze plaque inscribed as follows: In Memory of Prof. Dan Den Uyl, Alpha Phi Omega. The plaque can be found at the southwest corner of the Horticulture bldg.” 1964 Foster Families Pot-Luck Dinner (Chapter assists with this project) 1964 APO Office is known to have been in the Memorial Center, Rm 12-A 1968 April 13th, The RAG newsletter “…we have a reputation of being one of the most active chapters in the nation.” Written by: Ron (Old Man) Miller, Chapter President Walkout is a tradition continued from the 1930’s Pledge Hike.

17. Alpha Gamma in the 70’s 1971 APO Office is known to have been in Stew Center, Rm G-12-A 1974 APO Office moved to Stew Center, Box 602, Rm G-14 per Dale Sawyer, 1976 Chapter President in which the office has resided continuously thru to this date in 2012. 1947-1973 Membership records with the National Office are very limited: In these 25 years, we only have record of 130 new members. Seems like most of the communication between the APO National Office and the chapter is along the lines: Nat. Office: ‘Thank you for sending us your Fall roster, but we have found no record of (names) as pledges or actives’. Alpha Gamma, Roberta Bach, Chapter President April 30th, 1980 response: “Phil Wankat said he filled out an advisor’s application in 1970.” 1976 “I would like to apologize for sending these pledge forms and the check so late. Our chapter had not anticipated a pledge class of ninety-two people. Therefore, we ran out of pledge forms…” Submitted by: Roberta Bach, Archivist – Alpha Gamma Chapter, April 6, 1976

18. Alpha Gamma in the 80’s 1980 Superdance for Muscular Dystrophy Association raises $2555.00 1981 Prof./Advisor Phil Wankat creates APO National Advisors Handbook and contributes $750 to help print 2000 to 2500 copies. 1982 Alpha Gamma Celebrates 50th Anniversary on April 25th, 1982 1983 “In the morning, skits and our first “Scouts Own” are planned.” Letter to Darrell Spoon, APO National Executive Director, March 23, 1983 from Laurie Williams, Communications Coordinator, Alpha Gamma – APO (Video: Scouts Own) 1980s Scouts Own is presented by a graduating senior where most graduating seniors and others take the opportunity to share their experiences, pass along their hard earned wisdom and tell each other how much they appreciate each other. This is by far the strongest bonding event I have ever been a part of. Better have a crying towel ready and expect your jaw to hurt from laughing. ~tony (Video: Scouts Own ..\..\..\Desktop\Scouts Own spring 95.wmv) 1984 The Alpha Gammateer Newsletter, April 17, 1984 “We tried something different from recent years and hand delivered invitations for rushees to return for tapout. This, along with an increased emphasis on personal contact brought in 144 rushees…” “…and tapped out around 115 for the Roberta “Bubbles” Pledge Class.” Written by: Julie Johnson (Pres), Nancy Fitzgerald & Jim Smolen (PTs)

19. Alpha Gamma 80’s Advisors: Prof. Teaford V.P. Ron Fruitt VP Housing & Food Services Advisor ’88 – late 90’s Pledge Class Namesake Spring ‘91 Advisor ’85 – Present Pledge Class Namesake Spring ‘88

20. Alpha Gamma 80’s Advisors Cont’d: Warren Luzadder Advisor ’57 – late ’90s National Namesake, Fall 1988 Spring Chapter Namesake, 3 times Awarded Chapter DSK, 4 times Shown with Kelly Henn, ’88 Nat Conv Shown with Keith Eaton, ’88 Nat Conv

21. Alpha Gamma in the 80’s Continued: 1986 Walkout with Stu Smith and Susan Young, Dean Pledge Class Stu climbs out the classroom window to escape us (the pledges) 1988 Stadium Cleanup Becomes fun? What? Thanks Mark Cudworth Where do you want all this TP? Steve Lovelace on jelly role patrol. 1988 Clothing Concepts contact us about selling clothes on campus. I was VP Service & remember being upset with Ron Olliver, Campus Finance Dept for not letting them pay us $1000 for one week of our work. He ended up getting us $2500 + 10% of their profits. ~ tony 1989 Walkout becomes PUTAA after National Office threatens us with suspension. No more Wabashing pledge trainers, car chases or keeping the PTs captive. PUTAA is Pledges United to Aggrevate Actives You call this GUS (Gathering, Uniting & Serving) now?

22. Scout Camps: 21 Eagle Scouts at F’94 O.N. Camp Sycamore w/ Lloyd Fike Camp Cary w/Clay Isley

23. Relationships: Yes, we had quite a few marriages too: Mike Cox & Lisa Kerhkof Tommy Brennan & Chris Hartman

24. A Few More Alpha Gamma Marriages: Christopher Heim and Christine Heim Jim Bundy and Sheryl Dworak Bundy Susan Knoll Stage and Brian Stage Sara Marfia Rebennack and Lee Rebennack Heather Polley-Lejman and Chris Lejman Sue Streeter Billian and Mark Billian Steve Kenny and Christine Moser Doug Birk and Kathy Lovelace-Birk Teresa Morgan and Chris Ballas Cindy Strawbridge Turner and Will Turner Andy Longbrake and Jenni Berning Angela Pomilio Johnson and Mike Johnson Shane Halbach and Sara Strack Halbach Jim Garrigus and Carolyn Woodward Garrigus Mark Hodapp and Sheryle Lawrence Hodapp Eileen Dashiell and Matt Dashiell Inter-Chapter Marriages with Alpha Gamma Jane McCann and Tom Jackson Julie Smith and Peter Smith Eric Smith and Wife from Miami of Ohio

25. Alpha Gamma in the 90’s: 1990 Pledge Trainer for Scarseth Pledge Class This is the best job ever in APO, thanks Jen Robinson (Co-PT) - great time. Picture Board: I made it the summer of ’90, help from friend Rob Schrumpf Office Phone Number: 494, 2 to do 69 twice Everybody Knows Your Name: Mike Newberg & Steve Lovelace usually named everyone at Overnighter, pledges & actives Banners: Stayed on the wall till everyone graduated or left. The Barn, Als Place, the Penthouse, the Dog House - The picture window at Harrys Stew G-14 Office: Around Town:

26. Conclude with a thought Question: Please join me in asking it one of our favorite Overnighter Thought Questions: You have landed …

27. Conclude with a thought Question: Please join me in asking it: You have landed on a distant planet, there are children there and they are brats, You manage to subdue them, and start a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega. You are to be the first committee chair, which committee would you start and why? Distant Planet – is where you live now w/college nearby, only children are not brats they are just like us – talented, caring, leaders & fun to be with. The Alpha Gamma Chapter: Has given us many memories, tears, laughs, hugs and life long friends. As alumni and soon to be alumni, lets give some of it back for others to enjoy. This summer Mark Straton our Alpha Phi Omega National President announced we met one of our long term goals of having over 25000 active members. Currently there are approximately 358 chapters. We have a goal of 500 chapters by 2025. That distant planet is where you live as alumni or will be moving to after you graduate. If there is not a chapter there, help us start it. If there is one, be an advisor & help them grow. If you don’t have the time, please contribute to the annual Torchbearer fund. Become a Life Member. Lets take up an entire page on the Torch and Trefoil for Torchbearer donations, just for the Alpha Gamma chapter. $75 This is an incredible chapter & I am very proud to be an Alpha Gamma!