Allegheny College - Kaldron Yearbook (Meadville, PA)

Page 20 text:

The Fraternities as a rule contain the best life of the college. Most of the college enterprises are under their management. It is they who have prolonged the life of the literary societies, pos- sibly for the sake of the offices, but that matters nothing. Prayer meetings contain as many Greeks as barbarians. College paper, annual, almost everything Worth having, have fallen into their hands. Many think the Fraternities have also the monopoly of sinning. In this respect they only emulate the great Caesar: All his faults observed, Set in a note book, learned and conned by rote. Even when a person is gone from the college into active life, he feels an interest, a love for his fraternity. Of all his college life, that is the brightest spot. The friendships there formed are life friendships. With eagerness he hastens back to meet his broth- ers, and the Fraternity banquet becomes the crowning glory of commencement weeks. I4

Page 19 text:

perfectly free, he may have solitude or companionship at will. Here he finds opportunities for a social life, or sympathies with and incentives toward scholarly attainments. He is also to corn- pare his thoughts Qif he should by chance have anyj, and his experiences with thoseof other people. He grows broader, he sees and tolerates a diversity of opinion, but best of all, learns to centralize his forces and works harmoniously with others. Know- ing that the continuance of the chapter depends- entirely on public opinion, in the absence of any authority, each member feels a responsibility for the rest. Any failure in study, manner ormorals, if discovered, is promptly brought to notice and criticism is remarkably full and free. Some chapters even go so far in their imi- tation of family life, as to possess a Skeleton in the Closet. But such skeletons in true orthodox style stalk forth in public view, and then either the ghost must be allayed or the chapter life ends. Then also a Greek is brought by direct communication into a sort of relation with other colleges. He becomes in the widest sense a college man and learns to realize the universal system of edu- 7 cation. He watches the growth of his alma male? with a jealous eye, seeing,far beyond what is possible in a barbarian, that the value of a diploma depends entirely on the relative standing of the college. The Greek has yet another important advantage. There has always been a secret dissatisfaction with a diploma that can not be worn or carried about so that a man's capabilities may be partially recognized without the tremendous efforts now required. It has . . f even been suggested that diplomas be granted in the form o cam- paign buttons. But, since such a course has not yet been adopted, the fraternity pin most nearly fills the requirements. Its posses- sion at once marks the wearer as a college man, and is the open 'sesame to many a charmed door. I3

Page 21 text:

in sa 1... -- --'VH ' - -- . . ' f f A. A, -f . I 1