Miami University - Recensio Yearbook (Oxford, OH)

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The history of Greek societies at Miami University, the Mother of Fraternities , spans 140 years. Originally, fraternities were Closely related to the literary organiza- tions, such as the Erodelphian So- ciety and the Miami Union. In 1835, two new initiates of Alpha Delta Phi fraternity opened a chapter at Miami, and was thus the first fraternity west of the A1.- legheny Mountains. The Alpha Delts were soon joined by three Miaminfounded fraternities, known as the Miami Triad. John Knox, president of the Union Giterary? Society founded the Beta Theta Pi fraternity in 1839, and Robert Morrison began the Phi Delts Theta fraternity in North Hall in 1848. The Phi Delts took a pledge against the use of alcohol and, at the meetings, reprimanded The Kappa Kappa Gamma are en- gaging in party festivities in 19570 The Kappa chapter was estab- lished in 1940. 12 The lower end of High Street was the location of Old Frat. Row. The Deke's, Sigma Chi's and Phi Delt's were the proprieters of the original houses. Violators of this oath. Three of- fenders were expelled from the fra- ternity, and they, along with Kappa Chapter of Delta Kappa Ep- silon in 1852. The Dekes divided over an election of a poet t0 the Erodelphian Society, and in 1855, splinter group formed the Sigma Chi torginally Sigma PhD fraterni- ty, the third member of the Triad. In 1868, Delta Upsilon joined the growing Greek community. In 1906, Dean E.E. Brandon and William H. Shideler established a non-fraternity association. The group derived its name, Fre-nom com or Phrenecon, from a combie nation of Miami Friends, Non- fraternity, and Miami Com- rades. By 1916, the Phrenecon As- sociation had evolved into the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. In the early days of fraternities, the groups met in various mem- bers' rooms. They later rented rooms from the university and Ox- ford businessmen. By 1909, Miami offered to lease land on lower High Street to the fraternities. The Phi Delt's, Deke's, and Sigma Chi's all built houses there, thus creating Miami's first fraternity row. After World War I, a new fraternity row sprang up when Delta Tau Delta and Sigma Nu built houses on Tal- lawanda Avenue. A fraternity square developed with the con- struction of houses by Phi Kappa Tau, Delta Upsilon, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon. As academic build- ings spread further south on High Street, the Phi Delt's, Deke's, and Sigma Chi's moved to new houses. Not long after Miami became coeducational, sororities joined the fraternities of the Greek system.

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John Pont returns his lst col- legiate punt for a TD, in 1949. Pont held many records and was honored by having his jersey the first to be retired. DARING Nationally known for his Cheer- leading antics and his gate- crashing techniques, Harry S. Thobe, was also known as Miami's most devoted fan. TO EXCEL ting records and bringing fame to Miami. Throughout the history of ath- letic growth, a high-degree of ex- cellence has been achieved, and the trophies and placques lining the halls serve as convincing evi- dence. In 1952, sprinter James Gordon made Miami's name well-known for both athletics and academics. Bill Mullikan was another example, When eight years later he led the world's swimmers in the 200-meter breast stroke. Bob Schul as the Winner of the 5,000-meter race at Tokyo, in 1964 added to the grow- ing list of famous Miami athletes. The athletes of '76 are by no means outdone by their predecessors, as witnessed by the three Redskin football stars chosen in the pro draft. Miami remains rooted in the traditions stemming from the first football team: they remain unal- tered despite the growth and de- velopment of today's nearly- professional organization. - Chris Jahoda 11

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Fighting for the league champi- onship, the Pike's scare again. The Greeks have played an imporn tant role in the continuation of in- tramural sports. Founded STET in 1902, Delta Zeta was the first sorority on cam- pus. By 1920; it had been joined by Delta Delta Delta, Chi Omega, and Alpha Omicron Pi. The 1930's saw a dozen sororities 0n Miami's campus. Like fraternities and liter- ary societies, sororities first met in Classrooms. They now lease suits on the first floors of Hamilton, Richard, and MacCracken Halls. 1 , Today, one out of ten fraternities .. ' . .. i. 9. . . H ' 4 ..... in existence was founded at ' H V V i 1 Miami, and one sixth of all frater- nity members helohg te fraternities The Sigma Chi fraternity was Chartered at Mlaml- Wlth the addl' founded after closing hours in this tion of the Phi Mu sorority in 1975, Drug Storeolocated b910W tWO 0f . . . . the founder s apartment. Miami has twenty sororities and twenty-six fraternities on campus. ... Gail Saville GREEKS: THE DOMINANT FACTOR Since its beginning the bike race of Greek Week has gone through many changes. This Greek Week spectacular ini- tiated by Delta Upsilon still draws a crowd, just as it did in 1956. 13