Chapter History
of the Rho Phi Chapter
of Phi Gamma Delta

Les Haman
Chapter Historian (EE '86)
1985 - 1986 School Year

Over the summer, three worksessions were held.  The carport ceiling was painted, the south bathroom was remodeled and the house was cleaned from top to bottom.  The undergraduate chapter, however, was not alone in working on the house.  The house corporation spent over $11,000 refinishing the living and dining room floors, and installing water heaters, a new furnace and a new dishwasher.

The 136^th Ekklesia was also held over the summer.  Rho Phi brothers in attendance were John Hesford, Wayne Mark, Steve Patterson, and myself.  After the unending list of meetings we had to attend each day, we were finally free to explore the sights and sounds of New Orleans.  Bourbon Street can definitely be a learning experience!

When we returned from New Orleans we learned that someone had broken into the house while we were gone and had stolen our entire stereo system!  Reacting to our situation, financial wizard Wayne Mark began to purchase a completely new system, piece by piece.  The results were a better stereo system and a heightened chapter awareness about house security.

The new school year began a little differently.  We decided to have Fiji Isle in the fall this year instead of the Spring.  On the Friday night before Fiji Isle we held an outdoor party.  The garage was decorated with straw and sand was brought in to give the party a real island feel.

On Saturday, the real Fiji Isle party was held at Mazananes’ pond, northeast of Terre Haute.  Dean Cowling and John Hesford spent many hours working on preparations and roasting a full size hog.

Although Fiji Isle is traditionally an all-night party, only a few brave souls lasted until morning.  These few included John Hesford, Mike Bates and his date.  No one is 100% sure what went on in the early hours before day break, but in all the confusion Hess lost the only keys to the only car left on the “island”.  Finally a rescue crew arrived.  The survivors were found to be somewhat dazed, but still alive.

This time of year is once again time for the chapter to tackle the task of rushing a new pledge class.  Unfortunately our rush chairman, David Zabel, did not return to school.  His replacement, Erich Teske, however, did an outstanding job in light of the circumstances.

On September 24 David Plantz not only turned 20 years old, but he and Dennis Ison also went active on this date.  It was definitely a surprise party for both of them!

During the remainder of the school year Andy Beerwart kept the Thorn informed by writing the Fiji section in the school paper.  Brent Hendrix was elected to represent our chapter on SGA and Mark Bower was elected sophomore class president.  Other Fijis active on campus were Todd Griffith and Jim Bielefeld on the football team with Joe Weist as manager.  David Plantz, Brad Kiess, Marc Ruhling and Jeff “Wheels” Wheeler were on the basketball team with Brian Mappes as manager.  Other Fiji athletes were Steve Patterson and Mick Smythe on the varsity tennis team and Dennis Aldridge and Mark Bower on the golf team.

Later in the fall our public relations committee, led by Larry Epley, organized a roadblock to collect money for the American Cancer Society.  Over $800 was raised for this worthy cause.

In October our chapter celebrated its fifteenth anniversary at homecoming.  On Friday night a purple passion party was held and on Saturday Night the graduates and undergraduates got to know each other at an open bar party.  Before the game on Saturday, however, a cookout was held near the football field along with a grad/undergrad football game.  Our homecoming queen candidate, Dottie Walters, did not win the queen contest, but our amazingly well-practiced cheer, written and directed by Chuck Moss and Jeff Wheeler won the cheer contest amidst stiff competition.  Our banner designed by Greg Bielefeld and Jon Pelland also made a good showing, but unfortunately broke down during the judging.

On November 12, 1984 our chapter welcomed the first addition of the 1984-85 school year.  On this day Fred Krick was formally pledged.  Fred later moved into the house for the winter and spring quarters.

Even with all the activity which was going on during the fall quarter, our Rho Phi editors still could not find enough good printable material.  Since the chapter was not being of much help, they resorted to asking their parents for some suitable material.  One particularly humorous article describing the life and habitat of the Indiana Eel, however, became the source of controversy within the administration on campus.  Dr. Hulbert sentenced us to one year on probation and sent letters to our Moms and Dads saying he was disappointed in us.  We responded by inviting Dr. Hulbert and Dean Lucas over to the house for a discussion on the topic with our chapter.  This proved to be a very tense moment, revealing to the chapter the motives and terms of our probation.  Briefly, we were not allowed to use school facilities, represent the school in any way, or do anything that could be considered negative.  Such a negative action would result in losing a pledge class - something that can severely hurt a strong chapter.

Fortunately we stayed on our very best behavior and took another outstanding pledge class.  This class included: Brad Barnes, Duane Braunecker, Joe Caughey, Bryan Eckhoff, Miles Fletcher, Mike Insko, Thomas Kowalski, Fred Krick, Mike Leakey, Drew Lorimer, Brad Mills, Jed Mitchner, Jerry Mourey, Steve Press, Matt Strabley, Steve Turpin, Dave Urbanek, and Rob Winkeljohn.

Also during the week of Bid Monday two pledges from previous spring were initiated into the chapter.  On December 3, 1984, Andy Jones and Doug Morris became the last two pledges to be initiated by the reigning cabinet.

The year ended with the celebration of Mick Smythe’s 21^st birthday.  Mick’s parents treated the chapter to an outstanding variety of hors d’oeuvres and a special kind of punch that had a character all its own.