The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I A History of Over One Hundred and Fifty Years Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom, Worthy Keeper of the Annals

February 2006 – February 2007

Officially adopted by the Beta-Beta Chapter, February 2007

— This complete document, when saved as one file, has a file size that is too large to host online. For that reason, this document has been divided into two volumes. For the reader’s convenience, the same appendices have been included with each volume. This is Volume I. Please see Volume II to read the rest of this document.

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Contents Preface...... 3 1856: The Founding of Southern University ...... 4 1865: The Founding of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity ...... 5 Reconstruction: The Arrival of Fraternities to Southern University ...... 11 1868-1885: How ATO Spread from V.M.I. to Southern University ...... 13 1897: The Founding of North Alabama Conference College ...... 14 A New Century: The Early Years of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity ...... 15 1906: National ATO Congress Held in Birmingham ...... 19 1910-1915: Marching Toward ATO’s Fiftieth Anniversary ...... 21 1918: Birmingham College and Southern University Become Birmingham-Southern College .. 25 World War One: The World Changes, As Does ATO and BSC ...... 28 The 1920’s: Roaring Parties and Great Depressions ...... 32 The 1930’s: Countdown to ATO’s Seventy-fifth Anniversary ...... 57 The 1940’s: World War II and Other Challenges ...... 87 The 1950’s: Continued Improvements ...... 129 The 1960’s: ATO Celebrates its One Hundredth Anniversary ...... 200 Appendix A: Roll of Chapters Significant to Beta-Beta ...... 277 Appendix B: Timeline...... 278 Appendix C: Major Sources Cited ...... 280 For More Information ...... 281

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Preface

History is a fiction. In order to attempt to communicate past events, one is forced to use fragments of texts and photos, which are only able to represent without fully encapsulating the events they reference. These fragments are passed down from the people who initially experienced or observed such events, and they are inevitably filtered through the perspectives of historian after historian. Instead of imposing my own interpretations upon the following fragments, I have simply chosen to present them as they were discovered, be they notes from chapter meetings, from meetings of the Executive Council, or IFC meetings; articles from publications such as BSC yearbooks, The Hilltop, or Birmingham newspapers; files and records from among fraternity archives; the National ATΩ website, www.ato.org; or first-hand accounts and information from brothers, both students and alumni.

I would like to gratefully acknowledge those who assisted me in the compilation of these materials to form the history of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at Birmingham-Southern College: current students, alumni, the ATΩ National Headquarters, various BSC publications, the BSC administration, and anyone else who played a vital role in the formation of this history, especially those brothers who formed the events of which this history is a meager representation.

I can only hope that these fragments form the closest thing to a comprehensive and accurate portrayal of our chapter’s history and that future brothers who hold this office will add to and maintain this history in the spirit in which it was begun and in the spirit of our brotherhood. As always, it is great to be here, loving my brothers.

Paul Blom Pledge Class 2004 – 2005

ATO Junior Delegate to IFC, 2006 Public Relations/Alumni Relations Chair, 2006 – 2007 Worthy Keeper of the Annals, 2006 – 2007

February 2007

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1856: The Founding of Southern University

“The General Assembly of Alabama passed an act on January 25th, 1856, incorporating the Southern University. The charter was presented at the first meeting of the Board of Trustees on March 17, 1856, by the Chairman, Col. John Erwin, of Greensboro…A site was purchased on the eastern edge of Greensboro, and the main building was ready for use in 1859. The corner stone had been laid on June 11, 1857, by Col. James M. Wiley, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Alabama Masons” (Perry 13-14). “The doors [of Southern University] were formally opened October 3, 1859” (Perry 18).

Studies at Southern University included ancient languages, moral philosophy, mathematics, biblical literature, modern languages, law, natural philosophy, elocution and composition, and public speaking. The two earliest societies on the campus of Southern University were literary societies: Belles Lettres, begun in 1859, and the Clariosophic Society, which was adopted as a chapter of Phi Kappa Sigma Society in 1860 (Perry 15-17).

During the Civil War, the University suffered greatly. Athletics were suspended and replaced with military drills. Most of the students and many faculty members ended up leaving the college for war. “The college building became a hiding place for refugees and deserters. The organization, however, was kept up. There were years when no formal opening could be made, but there was no year when some students did not matriculate” (Perry 21).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1865: The Founding of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

As is widely known throughout the history of ATΩ, Otis Allan Glazebrook founded the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia with Erskine Mayo Ross and Alfred Marshall on September 11, 1865. “Until July 5, 1870, it [the V.M.I. Chapter] was the executive chapter of the Fraternity and was called ‘The Mother Society.’ Its charter was withdrawn in 1881, because of a threatened antifraternity legislation. Members, 103” (Reno 241).

FOUNDER GLAZEBROOK FIFTY YEARS LATER JUDGE ROSS IN CALIFORNIA At the time of his resignation as Chairman of the High He filled important judicial posts for nearly 50 years Council in 1914, he had been a member of that supreme gave his opinions fearlessly and justly, helped found not body of Alpha Tau Omega for 36 years. No other Found- only Alpha Tau Omega but also the great city of Glen- er of a national college fraternity ever served so long or dale—both of which he loved and both of which honor so brilliantly in a comparable position. his shining memory. (Reno)

Within the first year of its founding, members of the V.M.I. Chapter, also known as Virginia Alpha Chapter (A), founded a second chapter, the Virginia Beta Chapter (B), at Washington College also in Lexington, now known as Washington and Lee University. The founding date was November 30, 1865, and Alfred Marshall served as the Installing Officer. “Its charter was surrendered on October 20, 1899, because of lack of material. The chapter was revived June 1,

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1906, by the absorption of Chi Rho, a local. Charter surrendered and placed in escrow with High Council, November 30, 1952. Members, 481” (Reno 241).

“After surrendering the Confederate forces under his command, General Robert E. Lee retired to Lexington, site of the Virginia Military Institute and of the institution which now honors him in its name, Washington and Lee University. He served the latter as president from 1865 to 1870. During these years, and in this community, appeared the first chapters of Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Sigma Kappa, Sigma Nu, and the Kappa Alpha Order” (Johnson 37).

ALFRED MARSHALL, 1845 – 1870 THE FOUNDERS AS YOUNG MEN This photograph, taken just before he left for his fatal Although the familiar pictures Tour of duty with Mobile & Montgomery Railroad, of Glazebrook, Marshall and Shows the personal charm and alert intelligence which Ross show them as much more Destined Founder Marshall for future greatness. mature, at the time of the founding of Alpha Tau Omega, Ross (lower left) had just turned 20; Cadet-Adjutant Glazebrook (upper left) and Cadet-Captain Marshall (upper right) were both 19. All three were born in 1845; Ross on June 30, Glazebrook on October 13 and Marshall on Christmas Day.

(Reno)

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

“In the beginning Glazebrook opposed formal ceremonial initiations. After his graduation, The Mother Society adopted a formal ceremony which Bennett and Hayes had devised. The ceremony, with the members hooded and gowned in white muslin, especially the climax where the candidate was purified for the stainless Order he was to enter, was clearly borrowed from the rites of medieval chivalry. Thereby initiates were impressed with the ideals of knighthood and they called themselves ‘Knights of Malta’ and ‘Knights of the Maltese Cross,’ names that are heard and written to this day. The Grand Seal, formerly the coat of arms, painted while this ceremony was being used, symbolizes the ideals of chivalry when they pervaded the Fraternity’s esoteric concepts” (Reno 46).

“Other national fraternities likewise established noncollegiate chapters. If now they do not freely acknowledge their existence they may be moved by potent reasons. Although Alpha Tau Omega eventually abolished its community chapters, it has never declared that they were a mistake and has never disavowed them or attempted to conceal them in parietal diction. To the contrary, Alpha Tau Omega rejoices in their existence, and is profoundly grateful for the contributions of their members, many distinguished in honorable vocations for their unswerving faith in and loyalty to the Fraternity” (Reno 47-48).

“In the fall of 1867 The Mother Society was seriously challenged by a group of cadets which, organizing as the Legion of Honor, eventually became the Sigma Nu fraternity…[J. Frank] Hopkins [who eventually became known as the ‘first founder’ of Sigma Nu] has indeed witnessed the climax, the purification rite of initiation ceremony. The ‘black feet’ were shoes protruding from the white gowns, and for that, not the color of their badge, Alpha Taus were called ‘Blackfeet’ while Sigma Nus were called ‘Whitefeet’ for the color of their badge…Feeling ran high. The Legion of Honor gathered 50 members and on January 1, 1869, publicly announced its new Greek name and revealed its badge, the French Legion of Honor emblem in the center of which was inscribed an awesome coiled serpent. Tardily recognizing that their paradisiac days were gone, the Alpha Taus could only say mournfully, ‘Lexington was Eden before the Serpent appeared there.’ Wily and preening Sigma Nus mysteriously whispered that the serpent’s open mouth contained a miniature Alpha Tau Omega badge. Whether the serpent was ingesting, regurgitating or choking was never revealed, but generations of credulous Alpha Taus have examined the Sigma Nu emblem under powerful microscopes without discovering the dubious compliment…To this day, a number of institutions where both are represented hold an annual ‘V.M.I. Prom’ or ‘Blackfoot-Whitefoot Dance’ jointly” (Reno 49-50).

“‘CHAPTERISM’—THE PROBLEM: The dark side of his [1877 Senior Grand Chief Anderson’s] picture exposed a painful but impressive lesson. The chapters which had admitted members failed to remit to the general treasury its share of the initiation fees. Virginia, for instance, had initiated 18 men without any payments to the general fund, and the others were equally negligent. Here Anderson placed his finger upon the basic defect in the structure and operation of the Fraternity’s government. The chapters were suffering and dying not so much from inanition as from lack of a sense of cohesiveness, want of contact with each other and the central authority. The evil was what Anderson called ‘Chapterism,’ narrow devotion to the unit with only a sentimental attachment to the whole” (Reno 70).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

“Incorporation of the Fraternity was authorized and Hayes, Hues, Green, Anderson, and Archer applied for the Supreme Bench of Baltimore granter, January 10, 1879, a charter for ‘Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity of Baltimore City.’ By appropriate proceedings the name was changed on November 10, 1948, to ‘The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Incorporated.’ Brooke’s coat of arms became the Grand Seal of the corporation. Alpha Tau Omega was the first national fraternity to be incorporated” (Reno 77).

Concerning Glazebrook’s devotional Ritual: “The ceremonies for opening and closing chapter meetings, starting with fervent prayer and ended with a profound benediction, are simple but solemn. The initiatory rite is a stately, vivid, spiritual drama, a ceremony inculcating the religious ideals and the significance of the sacred symbols graven upon the badge. It aims to make the inner world of the initiate’s life radiant, brotherly and reverent. Its central theme is sacrificial living and loving service in imitation of Him who died upon the Cross depicted on the badge. It teaches that the Cross is the most significant fact in man’s spiritual history, that Christ is the Life and Light of Man, the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. But let Glazebrook tell the lesson of the ceremony. In one of his notable addresses he declared: ‘Alpha Tau Omega holds before the young men of the country an ideal and something greater than a mere intellectual ideal. Alpha Tau Omega stands for heart as well as head. It has given men a true ideal of life. Recall the Altar. Bring to mind the Column. Fix your gaze upon the Cross. Know you what they mean. Have you failed to catch the spirit of the teaching of Alpha Tau Omega? Do you not know that those principles, graven not upon stone alone but upon the tablets in the hearts of men, are the real basis of all true and exalted mortality? Do not forget the teachings of the Cross, the magnificent lesson of sacrifice and self denial! To give ourselves freely, fully, absolutely, and irrevocably for others—that, my dear young brothers, is the supreme lesson of all life.’ The initiation’s ineffably beautiful message, clothed in tender, moving and exquisite diction, truly a literary triumph, has inspired and invigorated myriads of young men, sending them out into the world with high purpose and with blissful memories of a golden hour which the years never completely efface. With only a few slight verbal changes in the Ritual stands in the Fraternity’s arcana as Glazebrook wrote it” (Reno 79-80).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

GRAND SEAL OF THE FRATERNITY Adopted by the Second Congress of the Fraternity at Nashville, it was the work of Richard N. Brooke, V.M.I. THE PALM, official magazine of ATO, took its name from the central panel. The tower that tops the present coat of arms was suggested by the scene at the right.

(Reno)

Concerning the early years of the Fraternity: “The adolescents in the chapters were living their halcyon days. Small chapters in small colleges in small, quiet towns met in private residences, dormitories or in halls above the corner drug store or grocery stores. These were intimate circles of radiant fellowship and sunny comradeship, where affectionate and enduring friendships were formed in the springtime of life. With few of the distractions of the modern campus, the lessons of the Ritual, earnestly studied, afforded a deeper understanding of life and its ultimate meaning, and they were dedicated to the Fraternity’s paramount task: To make the inner world of men’s lives beautiful, reverent and brotherly” (Reno 101).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

“Meanwhile the Anderson-Lamar alumni project, endorsed by the 1880 Congress, flourished. Lamar, while still an undergraduate, organized the first, the Alabama State Association, April 1, 1881…Subsequent legislation authorized regional, city and chapter alumni associations…The associations are the outward expression of a precious sentiment firmly embedded in the Fraternity’s laws: ‘Once an Alpha Tau, always an Alpha Tau.’ They perpetuate the ties of undergraduate fellowship, manifesting the continuing loyalty of its members and their abiding faith in its prime ideal of promoting enduring friendships. They give the members an opportunity to advance the interests of Alpha Tau Omega; to practice its principles; to cherish its revered traditions; to engage actively in formulating and promoting its policies; to keep fresh and vitalizing the precious memories of undergraduate years; and generally, to make life membership a real and enriching experience” (Reno 101).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Reconstruction: The Arrival of Fraternities to Southern University

Concerning Southern University during the period of Reconstruction: “These were dark days for the institution. Debts had been incurred, which were secured by mortgages on the lands and the buildings. Suits were brought to recover these debts. Practically everything was lost except the main building. The faculty was unpaid. There was some danger for a time of losing the main building itself. The people of Greensboro and even the members of the Board of Trustees thought that the doors must close after the session of 1871-1872” (Perry 30).

“The crisis now under consideration was, without doubt, the most serious the institution [Southern University] has ever been called on to face” (Perry 34).

William May Main hall of Southern University Wightman, first president of Southern University

(Brown)

“Church attendance [at the Greensboro Church downtown] at the eleven o’clock service on Sunday was required of every student. This requirement was easily enforced in a town the size of Greensboro, about two thousand inhabitants, and in a school where the student body never numbered more than two hundred and fifty” (Perry 36-38).

“It was during this period of the school’s life [1875-1918] that the Greek letter fraternities were brought into it. These organizations form an important part of American college life, and without an account of them the history of Southern University would not be complete. The first fraternity to have a chapter at Southern University was Pi Kappa Alpha. A charter was granted to Delta Chapter in 1871, the first year of Dr. Andrews’ first administration…. The second group of ‘Greeks’ at Southern University was Alabama Iota Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. It was founded in 1878 by J.E.D. Shipp, who had been a member of Alpha Mu Chapter at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute at Auburn, Ala…Sigma Alpha Epsilon was the only fraternity that ever

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom owned its Chapter house at Southern University…. In 1879 Chi Chi Chapter of Sigma Chi was founded at Southern University…” (Perry 39-40)

Phi Chapter of Kappa Alpha was founded in 1882. “The founder was Phares Coleman, who was a resident of Greensboro at the time. He had received the secret work of the fraternity from a member of the Chapter at the University of Georgia…In 1884 a local fraternity was organized at Southern University by H.T. Strout, H. Graham Benners, and John W. Rollins. They secured a charter from the State of Alabama, naming their order the Iota Phi fraternity. Their intention was to establish chapters in other colleges, but after an existence of four years they disbanded, and some of them joined other fraternities at the College” (Perry 41-42).

“In 1882 the charter was amended to make the College [Southern University] the joint property of the Alabama Conference and the North Alabama Conference” (Perry 43).

ATO arrived to Southern University in 1885 when the Beta Beta Chapter was founded, but the following section delineates those events.

“One other fraternity had a Chapter at Southern University. This was Phi Delta Theta. Alabama Gamma Chapter of this order was chartered in 1887 and continued until 1896, when the charter was withdrawn by the officers of the fraternity. The chapter was founded by W.F. Andrews. For the nine years of its existence Phi Delta Theta held a prominent place among the fraternities of the College” (Perry 43).

“The list of expenses [1892] was as follows: Tuition, $25 a semester; bookkeeping, $15 a session; library fee, $2 a session; board, with lights and fuel, in private homes, $10 to $14 a month; board in Hamilton Hall, the College dormitory, $7.50a month. Total expense for the year, $190, with private board; $160, with board in Hamilton Hall” (Perry 45).

“Edwin Tutwiler, No. 10 [i.e., the 10th initiate at ATO’s first chapter, V.M.I.], became a mining engineer, organized the Tutwiler Coal, Coke & Iron Company at Birmingham and made a fortune. The Tutwiler Hotel in that city was a symbol of his success” (Reno 46).

“Southern University was established as a male school, but coeducation has gradually come until now when a large number of the graduates are women. It is said that Miss Julia Tutwiler asked for women the right of matriculation in 1868 and was refused. No data could be found as to the actual beginning of coeducation, but the first young woman to secure the A.B. degree from the institution was Miss Margaret Pickett in 1897. She was a niece of Miss Julia Tutwiler” (Perry 50).

“In 1897, the movement in the North Alabama Conference looking to the establishment of their own Conference college culminated in their deeding back to the Alabama Conference all interest in Southern University…The College continued to do good work, but the action taken in 1897 at the North Alabama Conference resulted twenty years later in the transfer of all Methodist interests in male education in Alabama to Birmingham [referring to the eventual consolidation of the two schools into BSC]” (Perry 48-49).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1868-1885: How ATO Spread from V.M.I. to Southern University

The tenth chapter of ATΩ, Virginia Delta (Δ), was founded on November 25, 1868 at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, Virginia. Its founders were William G. Bennett and Frederick A. Berlin. “It has maintained continuous existence to date. Members, 725” (Reno 242). Bennett was the sixth initiate of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at V.M.I. and the third outside initiate, i.e., the third after the original three founders. Berlin was one of the charter members of the second chapter of ATO, the Virginia Beta Chapter at Washington College. The Virginia Beta Chapter had been founded by members from the V.M.I. Chapter (Reno 40-42). Berlin, in fact, was actually the very first initiate of the Virginia Beta Chapter. (Reno 237).

On December 9, 1878, Peter F. Smith of the Virginia Delta Chapter founded the twenty-sixth chapter of ATΩ, Georgia Alpha Beta (AB) at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. “Members 974” (Reno 244).

Ignatius L. Candler of the Georgia Alpha Beta Chapter founded ATO’s twenty-eighth chapter, Alabama Alpha Epsilon (AE). This chapter was founded in Auburn, Alabama at Alabama Polytechnic Institute, now Auburn University, on December 18, 1879. “Members, 1,259” (Reno 244).

Alabama Beta Beta (BB) Chapter was the fifty-first chapter of ATO, founded at Southern University in Greensboro, Alabama by Thomas R. McCarty of the Auburn Chapter on March 28, 1885. “This institution is now known as Birmingham-Southern College and is located in Birmingham, Alabama. Members, 725” (Reno 246). According to this information, Beta Beta Chapter was the second ATO chapter to be formed in the year 1885 as well as the second ATO chapter to be formed in Alabama, the first being the Auburn Chapter.

“Eighteen hundred and eighty-five was the year of the establishment of Beta Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity at Southern University. Mr. Thomas R. McCarty, a member of Alpha Epsilon Chapter at the Alabama Polytechnic Institute, was the founded. In an old cemetery, on the north edge of the town, known as Stokes Graveyard, the charter members of the Chapter were initiated. The first Chapter roll was as follows: T.K. Terrell, E.M. Craig, H.B. Farish, O.C. Farish, John F. Gillis, Joseph E. Hutchinson, R.H. Long, W.H. Moore, Prof. F.M. Peterson, W.C. Swanson, J.L. Moore, F.E. Porter, W.R. Porter, E.W. Ormond, W.B. Hendrick, R.L. Stough, and L.L. Smith. The Chapter came to Birmingham when the college was removed from Greensboro and is one of the strong Greek letter organizations at Birmingham-Southern College” (Perry 42).

“The year 1885 saw the establishment of four [ATO] chapters, two in the South, one in New England, and one in the Midwest. All four are thriving today, but while the Southern chapters pursued uninterrupted careers, the two Northern chapters had their vicissitudes…To Southern University, then located at Greensboro, Alabama, now Birmingham-Southern College in Birmingham, came Thomas R. McCarty, Auburn, who had transferred to the Greensboro institution and would win highest distinction as a Methodist divine. He established Alabama Beta Beta there on March 28, 1885. It has enjoyed a continuous existence, having initiated members every year since” (Reno 114).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1897: The Founding of North Alabama Conference College

“In the nineties [1890’s] Dr. Z.A Parker made a motion at one of the meetings of the Birmingham Pastors’ Union that a Methodist paper be established in the North Alabama Conference in Birmingham…The paper was established and was called the Birmingham Methodist. It was primarily for the purpose of advocating the building of a college for the North Alabama Conference…Persistence usually wins in the long run, and this fight for a male college in North Alabama proved no exception…The committee met and proceeded to locate the college at Owenton…There was, then, no such reason in the way of this committee to keep it from locating the college at Owenton, which was so near Birmingham and destined soon to be a part of that great city…He [Mr. Rose Wellington Owen, who offered the land for the building of the college] had likewise dreamed of seeing the college on the hill at Owenton overlooking Jones Valley from Bessemer to Birmingham. He thoroughly agreed with Dr. Anson West [a member of the committee to build the college] when he said. ‘God created that hill for the site of a college’” (Perry 52-54). The quotation is in reference to the hill on which Munger Hall now stands. This hill was the site of the original building of the North Alabama Conference College.

“The College at Owenton was called North Alabama Conference College, or at least that was its official name. It was commonly called ‘Owenton College’…He [Dr. Anson West, who became the fourth President of the North Alabama Conference College], more that any other one man, perhaps, was responsible for the establishment of the school. He was a strong man and held to his opinions tenaciously, no matter what antagonisms he aroused. No doubt the present institution under the auspices of the two Conferences [i.e., Birmingham-Southern College] owes a great deal to his persistence and to his faithful service as President” (Perry 57).

“During these years [1900-1915] there arose one of the staunchest supporters the College [at Owenton] ever had. This was Mr. R.S. Munger. He gave liberally of his money and of his time to the support of the College, the name of which had been changed to Birmingham College in 1906” (Perry 58).

“[In 1916] it seemed that the school was beginning a new era of prosperity. America entered the World War, however, in 1917, and the bright prospects of the College [Birmingham College] were dimmed. The student body was greatly reduced by the volunteering of many of the young men for the service” (Perry 59-60).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

A New Century: The Early Years of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity

Lee C. Bradley, Birmingham-Southern, was elected as Worthy Grand Scribe in 1892 (Reno 256).

“Ferdinand E. Smith, Birmingham-Southern, entered Rose Polytechnic Institute, Terre Haute, Indiana, and by initiating seven, established Gamma Gamma, November 15, 1893” (Reno 135).

“Alpha Tau Omega has always been a singing society. The meetings of the Lexington chapters were invariably opened and closed with the devotional odes which were adopted by succeeding chapters and eventually became a part of the Secret Work. Newly initiated Brothers who had undergone the rather strenuous ceremony of that day were greeted by a noble song of welcome” (Reno 148).

ATΩ FACES THE TWENTIET CENTURY THE THIRD CHAPTER ALPHABET Third from left stands Founder Glazebrook in this portion of the Iowa BA, Simpson Ga. BN, Middle Georgia traditional “Congress Picture” taken at Boston in December 1900. Ala. BB, Birmingham-Southern S.C. BH, Charleston Thirty-seven chapters and ten alumni associations were represented. Mass. BΓ, M.I.T. Mich. BO, Albion Now firmly established in the North, the Fraternity looked to the Ala. BΔ, U. of Alabama Tenn. BΠ, Vanderbilt West for new fields to conquer. Chapters at California, Colorado, Kan- La. BE, Tulane Ohio BP, Marietta sas, Washington, Missouri, and other strong universities beyond the Vt. BZ, U. of Vermont Va. BΣ, Hampden-Sidney Mississippi were to follow in the next few years. Ohio BH, Ohio Wesleyan Me. BY, U. of Maine N.Y. BΘ, Cornell S.C. BΦ, Wofford Ga. BI, Georgia Tech Penn. BX, Haverford Mich. BK, Hillsdale Calif. BΨ, Stanford Mich. BA, U. of Michigan Ohio BΩ, Ohio State Ohio BM, U. of Wooster Tenn. BT, Southwestern* (Reno)

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Concerning the Fraternity song “Our Jewels”: “A lovely college romance produced the song which captured the Fraternity’s heart and through the years has remained for both actives and alumni the prime favorite, ‘the song of songs.’” Helen Choate Streeter wrote a poetic tribute to the badge of Alpha Tau Omega after being “pinned” by her boyfriend, Alpha Tau Linn Murdock Huntington at a chapter in Nebraska in 1900. “It was first published in the February, 1903, PALM under the title ‘The Azure and Gold.’ Harry A. Lyon, Cornell, a skilled musician and a noted bandmaster, set Helen’s charming verses to sparkling music, and the melodious and thrillingly beautiful song endeared itself to an appreciative Fraternity’s everlasting love. Its noble refrain is truly ‘a good song ringing clear’: Oh Alpha Tau Omega, Our hearts are ever thine! We set them as the jewels In The Maltese Cross to shine.

To thee we pledge allegiance, Our service true and bold, And ever we’ll be loyal To the azure and the gold” (Reno 148-49).

“Alpha Taus fought in the ranks of Roosevelt’s Rough Riders at San Juan Hill; with the Marines they landed at Guantanamo Bay; and at the destruction of Cervervas’ Spanish fleet…To Alpha Tau Omega the patriotic service of Founder Glazebrook, Confederate veteran, the cadet who had manned the artillery at New Market, whose rhapsodic vision of a united nation had inspired him to found the Fraternity, was most impressive and exemplary. He was a captain and the chaplain of the Third New Jersey Infantry. In an illustrated history of the war an equestrian portrait of him was printed under the caption ‘The Finest Horseman in the Service,’ (PALM, XIX, 12) a picture the Fraternity has valued as a precious keepsake” (Reno 150-51).

“Division of the Fraternity into Provinces for better administration was a topic of debate [at the 1886 Atlanta Congress], but the Province system did not materialize until the turn of the century” (Reno 117).

“Provinces consist of one or more states. [A footnote clarifies: ‘At the present time, some Provinces contain only parts of one or more states, divisions being made on the basis of nearness of chapters rather than state boundaries.]…From 1898 to 1901 Province I was composed of chapters in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina and during that period Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, was Chief of the Province” (Reno 259).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

AT THE GRAVE OF FOUNDER ROSS Arthur McCord, Birmingham-Southern, kneels with a wreath honoring Founder Erskine Mayo Ross. Stand- ing, left to right, are former Province Chiefs Wesley King and Chesters S. Van Brundt, and Sidney B. Fith- ian, then Worthy Grand Chief. Brothers McCord and Van Brundt were pioneers in the Westward expansion of the Fraternity (see pages 158, 164, 172, 200).

(Reno)

“In the beginning there were six provinces; now there are 26. The first Chiefs and the states included in their provinces follow: I. Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina…It would be difficult to compile a roster of more notable Alpha Taus. McCord, engaged in business, residing in Alabama when appointed, moved to Tennessee and later to California; wherever he lived he was a dynamic force in promoting the Fraternity’s welfare and served several terms as High Councillor” (Reno 154).

“‘Provincial Chiefs’ Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, Thomas Ruffin, North Carolina, and George W. Mitchell, Austin, were on hand [at the 1900 Boston Congress] to present their reports on Provinces I, III, and VI. Thus for the first time a Congress received reports from Province Chiefs, even though E.P. Lyon, II; Robert W. Bingham, IV; and Thaddeus M. Jones, V, were unable to give theirs in person. Instead of bombastic, highly optimistic chapter reports the

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Congress secured impartial and expert surveys of the actual conditions of all the chapters, revealing their strengths and weaknesses, and counseling needed improvements. The Province system had been tried and its extraordinary usefulness proved; the Congress unanimously voted a Constitutional amendment which, ratified by the chapters, made the system a permanent feature of the Fraternity’s government” (Reno 160-61).

“Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, was a Province Chief and as often a High Councillor. A champion of extension whose business took him to all sections of the Northwest, he casually called on the President of the University of Washington, seeking information concerning the fraternity situation on that campus…McCord enlisted the assistance of Chester S. Van Brundt, Illinois, then residing in North Yakima, Washington, another expansionist who had installed the Colorado chapter. Their joint efforts procured a charter with which they established Washington Gamma Pi, January 20, 1906.” (Reno 172).

“[At the 1904 New York Congress] An application for the revival of the Arkansas Chapter was rejected because, as Lamar [the current Worthy Grand Chief] explained, a statute of that state prohibited fraternities at the University. ‘It was out of harmony with the principles of ATO to violate or countenance the violation of any law, state or Federal,’ he said—a declaration that became the Fraternity’s settled policy” (Reno 168).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1906: National ATO Congress Held in Birmingham

“[At the conclusion of the 1904 New York Congress] Birmingham, Alabama, was unanimously chosen for the 1906 Congress. After the vote, Shives [who eventually became Worthy Grand Chief] said he hoped that ‘the Steel City of the South’ would be followed by ‘the Steel City of the North’ and that Pittsburgh would be the site of the Twenty-First Congress in 1908. He got his wish” (Reno 169).

The Twentieth Congress of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity was held in Birmingham, Alabama at the Hotel Hillman on December 26-29, 1906. The orator was Robert W. Bingham of the Bingham Chapter, and the poet was Alfred S. Hartzel of the Muhlenberg Chapter. It was declared the “Fortieth Anniversary Congress” (Reno 254).

“While the Fraternity was actually 41 years old when the delegates met in Birmingham, Alabama, the day after Christmas, 1906, the gathering became known as the 40th Anniversary Congress. And there were many present who could clearly recall the beginnings and early days of Alpha Tau Omega. An aura of poignant sorrow enveloped the 20th Congress as it met in the Hotel Hillman. Four days before, Founder Glazebrook’s wife, nee Virginia Calvert Key Smith, had passed away. As has been told, she was the daughter of the Superintendent of V.M.I. at the time the Fraternity was born. The loveliest of the charming bevy of Lexington girls, ‘The Alpha Tau Sisters,’ her radiant friendship and gracious service had immeasurably enhanced the cause and prestige of Alpha Tau Omega in its early days. Following her marriage to Otis Glazebrook in 1866, she had remained a staunch ‘Alpha Tau Girl,’ entertaining countless Brothers in her hospitable home, accompanying the Founder to Congress and other Fraternity functions, and acting as his secretary as Editor of THE PALM and Chairman of the High Council. She had lived to see ‘the Glazebrook dream’ become a nation-wide reality, and her oldest son became Worthy Grand Chief. She was buried in Richmond on Thursday, December 27, and the bereft Founder, with ‘Young Larkin’ [Glazebrook’s son], arrived in Birmingham on Friday” (Reno 172-73).

“By far the most important action [of the 1906 Birmingham Congress] was the adoption of the new Constitution…Copies of the new draft had been printed and distributed to the chapters…. on the final day of Congress [the committee to examine and report on the proposed draft] presented a new Constitution which was adopted unanimously” (Reno 173).

“‘FIRST’ AT BIRMINGHAM: The Twentieth Biennial Congress witnessed several innovations. W.G.C. Lyon proposed that each year the chapters set aside September 11, or as soon after as possible, to hold a special Founders Day meeting ‘at which the history of the Fraternity shall be studied and exercises in honor of our Founders to be conducted.’ The Ways and Means Committee made this recommendation, and it was approved. Over the years, because of the conflict with rushing and college opening, March 15 has become the traditional Founders Day, the exact date being left to the convenience of the group. It is often observed as a combined chapter-alumni dinner” (Reno 178-79).

“After selecting Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as the site of the 1908 Congress, the delegates accepted the report of the Nominating Committee for officers for the ensuing two years…The High Council included Dr. Otis A. Glazebrook, Chairman, Virginia Alpha; N. Wiley Thomas,

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Pennsylvania; Hugh Martin, Bingham; Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern; and Frank G. Wren, Tufts” (Reno 179-180).

Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, was elected to the High Council for the period of 1906-08 (Reno 258).

Concerning The Palm Junior, which “originated at the Birmingham Congress in 1906, it was revived by the Atlanta committee. A four-page, three-column daily, it contained announcements, personal, editorials and even advertisements. Harvey Reno, assistant publisher of THE PALM, and Robert Quin, Emory, did most of the work of producing three issues. The Palm Junior has been making its appearance at almost every Congress since that time” (Reno 204).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1910-1915: Marching Toward ATO’s Fiftieth Anniversary

“For the most part, houses were rented in the early days, since the chapters rarely had the means to build or buy. The membership was small and might fluctuate greatly; it was not uncommon for only a handful of men to return after a summer vacation, making chapter house ownership somewhat precarious. Then too, the chapters seldom had a large body of prosperous alumni to call upon for a fund-raising program. In the first decade of the twentieth century rents were low. One chapter recorded its annual house rent as $200. Others were paying up to that much per month. To help ease the burden, at institutions which had summer courses attracting special students, the chapter might rent out its rooms while the members were away on vacation. On some friendly campuses, the college or university might put up a ‘fraternity row’ or ‘quadrangle’ and either rend or sell the houses to the Greeks on very favorable terms. By way of contrast, more and more institutions were making it increasingly difficult for house-owning chapters to keep all their rooms filled, by requiring students to live in a residence hall, at least during freshman year” (Reno 189).

“On February 25, 1910, Oregon Gamma Phi was installed by Brother Crooks, assisted by F.S. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, brother of Arthur W. McCord (co-founder with Chester Van Brundt, Illinois, of the Washington chapter); Lewie Williams, Washington; Clyde H. Brand, California, and Van Brundt” (Reno 200).

“The leaders of Alpha Tau Omega have from the beginning emphasized scholarship, brotherhood, leadership, preparation for a career of useful service, as the fundamental purposes of higher education” (Reno 200).

“The Congress [the 1910 Atlanta Congress] took a strong stand on scholarship, requesting the faculties of ATΩ-represented colleges to adopt a rule forbidding initiation of freshmen by any fraternity until they shall have satisfactorily completed their first semester’s work” (Reno 202).

“He [Hugh Martin, Bingham, interim Worthy Grand Chief in 1912] had aided in the organizations of the New York, Texas, and Birmingham Alumni Associations, had been a member of important committees at various Congresses, including a leading role at the 1906 Congress in his home town. Following this he had been elected a High Councillor for 1907-08, and since 1909 had been Chief of Province I…He administered the affairs of high office most capably during his brief regency, but the demands of his flourishing Birmingham architectural business made it impossible for him to continue. He won lasting fame for his professional work, which included many buildings at the University of Alabama [and later at Birmingham-Southern College]” (Reno 209-10).

“[Quoting the author of the 1912 PALM] ‘It is no trite belief that the college fraternity moulds a man’s character. The fraternity comes just about the time a young man is beginning to show the traits that will predominate his life’” (Reno 212).

“By 1912, college fraternities had shown a definite maturing of outlook. Their systems of government had been perfected and the era of constant revision and alterations of constitutions had passed. They were so organized that they could effectually assert their will in the vital

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom problems of scholarship, of morality among active members, of methods for the systematic transaction of business, of developing the latent powers for good inherent in every fraternity…In Alpha Tau Omega, alumni participation grew in direct ratio to the strength of the national administration. College authorities, to a far greater degree than heretofore, looked to fraternity men to set the standards of leadership in all worth-while aspects of campus life” (Reno 212).

“‘It is not whether Alpha Tau Omega is ready for this century,’ he [Otis Allan Glazebrook at the closing Banquet of the 1912 Louisville Congress] cried in his ringing voice. “Is this century ready for Alpha Tau Omega? Are the young men of America ready to accept the principles for which Alpha Tau Omega stands? If you want to be progressive in a true sense, in an influential sense, to go on to grander heights of usefulness and blessedness; if you are ready for this, you are ready for Alpha Tau Omega” (Reno 218).

Concerning the 1914 Nashville Congress: “Among the many actions of Congress, space permits mentioning only a few:  The Worthy Grand Chief was authorized to appoint a special committee on scholarship to devise more practical methods for encouraging high scholastic standards and grades by undergraduates…  The serving of intoxicating liquors at all social functions within the control of Congress was prohibited. This followed many acts of Congress with references to the use of liquors in chapter houses. The Nashville Congress was ‘dry.’  The initiation of members of high school fraternities was prohibited after 1919, in accord with the resolutions of the National Interfraternity Conference.  Chapters were instructed to eliminate all ‘horse play’ from initiation ceremonies or risk annulment of their charters.  The Worthy Grand Chief was authorized to suspend the laws of the Fraternity when in conflict with the rules of an institution. This applied particularly to college regulations regarding rushing and initiation of members” (Reno 230-31).

Concerning the 1914 Nashville Congress: “The Worthy Grand Scribe, next on the program, discussed our nationwide expansion, declaring: ‘Alpha Tau Omega became a national fraternity because it deserved to be a national fraternity…. So on our fiftieth anniversary, when the cry of all the world is for more fraternity, for a union of all men in the bonds of a universal brotherhood of men under the eternal fatherhood of God, let us here consecrate ourselves to the cause to which we are pledged and go forward to labor zealously for the ideals of Alpha Tau Omega’…Past W.G.C. Van der Vries spoke on ‘The Nationalism of Alpha Tau Omega,’ emphasizing the variety of institutions where the Fraternity had chapters and the differences in Brothers. ‘In spite of the malingers of the fraternity system,’ he said, ‘Alpha Tau Omega is democratic to the core. Her membership is of all classes; wealth is not a prerequisite, nor is it a bar. A son of the Revolution is just as welcome as the son of an immigrant. Whoever they are, or wherever they may hail from, within the walls of her chapter hall all Alpha Taus are on a plane of absolute equality’…Paul Hickok, Chairman of the High Council, took the Founder’s place in responding to the final toast… ‘Be strong,’ he said. ‘We are not here to dream; to drift. We have hard work to do and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle; face it. Alpha Tau Omega means that to our Brotherhood. Alpha Tau Omega, to thee we pledge our love. Alpha Tau Omega, she leads us on above’” (Reno 232-33).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

Concerning the 1914 Nashville Congress: “The High Council…took an important step by dividing Province I, which had been too large for one Chief’s supervision. The Florida and Georgia chapters remained under able Ed Werner. Alabama, Auburn, Southern (Birmingham), Tulane and the University of Texas became Province X, with Ralph Goeth, Texas, as Province Chief” (Reno 233).

Beta Beta’s Province from 1898-1915: “[Province] I: States. 1898: Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina; 1901: Alabama, Georgia; 1903: Alabama, Florida, Georgia; 1907: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Texas; 1915: Florida, Georgia. Chiefs. 1898: Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern; 1901: Vassar L. Allen, Auburn; 1905: J. Samuel Slicer, Washington-Lee; 1907: Louis H. Putnam, Emory; 1909: Hugh Martin, Bingham; 1912: Edward A. Werner, Georgia Tech” (Reno 259).

“[Province] X: States. 1915: Alabama, Louisiana, Texas. Chiefs. Ralph C. Goeth, Texas” (Reno 261).

“On September 11, 1915, when the Fraternity officially reached its fiftieth milestone, ATΩ had grown from a single chapter at a small Virginia institution to a large national organization of 66 chapters in leading colleges of the North, South, East and West, numbering upon its roll of initiates a total membership of 12,000 men. A ‘southern fraternity,’ so-called because it was organized south of the historic Mason and Dixon line, it was among the first of that class to pass from its sectional habitation. By the end of its fifth decade it had chapters distributed from the Atlantic to the Pacific, with a sphere of influence as wide as the boundaries of the nation. Founded for the purpose of promoting social intercourse among college men, to the end that the men of the North and the men of the South, who had lately fought each other in the greatest fratricidal war of the ages, should again be joined in the new bonds of a pure fraternal love, it had lived to see its high ideals exemplified in the lives of thousands of members” (Reno 237).

From 1865-1915, 100 Chapters of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity were founded, and the Beta Beta Chapter was the 51st. ATO, which has endured for over one hundred and forty years at the time of this history’s compilation, was only 20 years old when the Chapter was founded (Reno 241-51).

“Alpha Tau Omega reached the half-century mark on September 11, 1915, with America at peace but much of the world at war” (Bird, Gold 3).

The era around the year 1915 was a time when a war against fraternities was being waged throughout college campuses across the United States (Bird, Gold 3). “Opposition to college fraternities was actually a blessing in disguise. It kept the Greeks from getting smug. In defending their system against attack, they were put on their mettle to live up to the ideals and standards of their founders. Alpha Taus have always been taught such basic principles in their pledge training” (Bird, Gold 6).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

“Alpha Tau Omega was founded at the close of a terrible war. It was to complete its first half century of existence with the nation on the verge of another bloody conflict, this one of world- wide magnitude” (Reno 209).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

1918: Birmingham College and Southern University Become Birmingham-Southern College

In the words of Donald Brown, author of Forward Ever, concerning Southern University at the end of the 1800’s: “The stately campus withstood the Civil War, Reconstruction, depression, and other hard times, only to face its death knell as a new century dawned.”

“The depression effects of the World War were felt by the College [Southern University]. The same effects were being felt in Birmingham College, the institution maintained by the North Alabama Conference. The leaders of Methodism in the State realized that a crisis was at hand. They decided to put aside old animosities, local prejudices, and personal preference. The agreed upon a plan for consolidating Methodist educational interests, and the two old institutions ceased to exist as separate colleges and began a career together as Birmingham-Southern College” (Perry 51).

“The final year of Birmingham College, 1917-1918, was a year of confusion and struggle. The student body was small to start with, and as the year went on more and more of the students were called into the service of their country. It soon became apparent to all concerned that, unless something could be done, the College must close its doors. Southern University at Greensboro was going through a very similar struggle. Many efforts had been made in the past to bring the two Conferences together in support of one college by merging the institution at Greensboro with the one at Owenton. Up to this time the opposition had been so strong on the part of the friends of Southern University that all efforts looking to this end had failed. The War had forced practically all of those in the opposition to see that the interests of Christian education were demanding that personal feelings and sentiment be put aside. The North Alabama Conference was almost unanimously in favor of the union and had been for a long time. An invitation to unite was given by the North Alabama Conference, and a commission was appointed to make arrangements looking to the proposed consolidation…The Commission met and drew up conditions upon which the consolidation would be made. These conditions were that Birmingham College should build an additional dormitory for the accommodation of the increased patronage from the southern part of the State and secure endowment funds amounting to one hundred thousand dollars. It was shown that the union of the two institutions would give Birmingham a college with assets of five hundred thousand dollars and with an annual income of thirty thousand dollars. It was determined to make an appeal to the citizens of Birmingham to give one hundred and fifty thousand dollars needed for the consummation of the consolidation…The Committee met with gratifying success in its canvass, and the money needed was subscribed…The conditions having been met, the Commission took the final steps of the union at a meeting in Montgomery the thirtieth day of May, 1918. A President and faculty were chosen and a name selected for the new College. The President chosen was Dr. C.C. Daniel, a graduate of Southern University and a member of the Alabama Conference. Dr. Daniel had been President of the College at Greensboro for a \year. The faculties of the two institutions were retained so far as it was possible. Several faculty members gave up the task of teaching and went into war work. In selecting a name for the College, the Commission sought to preserve the traditions of both institutions. At Greensboro the name Southern University had been retained in spite of the fact that the institution had long ceased to be a university and had been conducted as a liberal arts college. The Commission soon decided to keep the first part of the name, prefixing

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom to it the name of the College in Birmingham. Thus the new institution became known as Birmingham-Southern College” (Perry 60-63).

“The year 1918 saw the opening of a new era in the history of Methodism in Alabama so far as male education is concerned. For the first time since the days of Florence Wesleyan University, all the forces of the Methodist Church in the State of Alabama were centered in one institution of higher learning for young men. A recognition of and concern for the demands of the youth of the State for education under Christian influences had triumphed over the animosities of a former generation that had grown out of rivalries and personal preferences and local pride. The Church was pledged now to look forward and to build a male college fully able to meet the demands of the age that are made upon such an institution” (Perry 64).

“Birmingham-Southern College was opened in September, 1918, under the leadership of Dr. C.C. Daniel, the recently elected President…An effort was made to preserve, as far as could be done, the traditions of the two colleges, but in spite of this effort practically a new start had to be made in this respect” (Perry 64-65).

“Another change in the student life, so far as Birmingham College was concerned, was the bringing of the several chapters of Greek letter fraternities to Birmingham. The Alpha Tau Omega, the Pi Kappa Alpha, and the Sigma Alpha Epsilon were brought from Greensboro with the uniting of the schools. The Kappa Alpha, which once had a chapter at Southern University but had lost its charter, had the chapter restored at the new College. The new administration thought these order were of great service to the management of the College in helping to maintain discipline and in holding up the standards of scholarship” (Perry 65-66).

“Admission into the Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools of the Southern States had been sought for a long time, in order to make the College more efficient in service to its students…The admission of the College to the Southern Association meant a great advance, for graduates of Birmingham Southern could now enter universities anywhere in the United States for graduate study without taking entrance examinations. The College is now on the approved list of the Association of American Universities and is a member of the following, in addition to the Southern Association: the Association of American Colleges, the Association of Urban Universities, the Alabama College Association, the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association, the American Council on Education, and the American Association of University Women” (Perry 71-73).

“It [Munger Memorial Hall] was erected on the site of the original building of Birmingham College and occupies a commanding position, overlooking all of Jones Valley…Dr. West’s saying that God made this hill to be a site for a college seems to be finding its fulfillment when one looks upon this beautiful Munger Memorial Hall”(Perry 75).

“Since the days back in the seventies [1870’s] when Miss Julia Tutwiler practically forced the admission of girls to Southern University, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of ‘coeds.’ The increase had been especially large since the opening of the combined College in 1918” (Perry 77).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

“The two parent institutions, as well as Birmingham-Southern since the union, have turned out graduates and nongraduates who have attained high positions in almost every field of human endeavor…Thus we see that Birmingham-Southern College has made a rich contribution to State and nation. With the support of a loyal constituency behind it, the institution promises greater things yet for the future” (Perry 79-80).

(Southern Accent, 1970)

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

World War One: The World Changes, As Does ATO and BSC

“ATΩ Alumni Associations, first authorized by Congress in 1880, grew out of the old community chapters but were at first limited to members living in the same city. Then state associations were approved; they played an important role in some areas, particularly in supporting Province conclaves...The main alumni group activities by 1916 and thereafter were confined to the chapter association, which often took the form of a house corporation, and to the city or regional alumni association, centering around a large metropolitan area. Among the latter were Chicago, Detroit, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Cleveland, District of Columbia, Milwaukee, Atlanta, Birmingham, Dallas, Memphis, Omaha, San Antonio, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Portland (Ore.), New York City and Philadelphia” (Bird, Gold 7).

“[In 1918] Under a ruling of the military commandment no fraternity was allowed to hold installations or initiations. Following the armistice on November 11 this ban was lifted...The reason Uncle Sam stopped all fraternity ceremonies that Fall of 1918 was to clear the way for a new military experiment, the Students Army Training Corps. This was an abortive program designed to produce an adequate supply of young officers from the ranks of college men...Units were set up at hundreds of institutions, including every campus where ATΩ had a chapter. As we have seen, all fraternity activities were taboo. Fraternity life came to a standstill; virtually every fraternity house was taken over for barracks or officers’ quarters. Soon the older, more aggressive student soldiers were being shipped off to Army camps” (Bird, Gold 28-29).

“To Alpha Tau Omega the war [World War One] brought confusion, tragedy, loss of the old familiar college patterns, and above all the opportunity to rise to new heights. Thousands of its members saw service. They would return to civilian status older, tougher, more serious. The influx of veterans into the cloistered halls would work a profound change in the Fraternity. The old days were gone; a new day was dawning” (Bird, Gold 30).

“By the fall of 1917 a great many Alpha Taus had gone to war; just how many, nobody knew” (Bird, Gold 47).

“The desire to serve the country in time of need overrode all other considerations. For the first time since the stirring days of ‘61[1861], the College campus became the scene of military drill. The difference now was that the College itself was, in effect, an armed camp…At the same time the students generally were in a state of unrest because of the fact that they were constantly expecting to be called into the active service and be sent overseas” (Perry 66).

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(La Revue, 1919)

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(La Revue, 1919 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1919 cont.)

Herbert Belton Byars, A.B., A.T.Ω. Hugh O’Neal Smith, B.S., A.T.Ω.

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

The 1920’s: Roaring Parties and Great Depressions

President Snavely [who became president in 1921, following the return of Dr. C.C. Daniel to his pastoral work], in his inaugural address, stressed the obligation of a college such as Birmingham- Southern to the community in which it is located. He emphasized the fact that the College is here to serve the community and that the obligation rests upon it to furnish those opportunities for education which seem to be demanded by the community” (Perry 70).

“[At the Omaha Congress in 1921] official observance of [ATO] Founders Day was shifted from September 11, when virtually no chapters were open, to March 15 for maximum attendance” (Bird, Gold 69).

“[In 1921] Sidney Fithian, Chief of Province X, temporarily withdrew from Fraternity work and Reid Lawson, Birmingham-Southern, took his place, soon succeeded by C. Floyd Tillery, Alabama” (Bird, Gold 76).

Worthy Grand Chief Emerson H. Packard, who took his position in 1923 following the resignation of Dean Clark, toured the nation in 1924 and visited Birmingham among many other chapters that year (Bird, Gold 93).

Otis Allan Glazebrook’s opening words to the Philadelphia Congress in 1924: “I wish you could read on my heart the message that is indelibly inscribed there towards Alpha Tau Omega. It has a worth all its own. We have a great society with no superior, I believe, in its personnel or in its principles in the entire country” (Bird, Gold 99).

Otis Allan Glazebrook’s closing words at the Philadelphia Congress in 1924, his final words to an ATO Congress: “My Brothers in Alpha Tau Omega, with all the seriousness I possess, in the light of experience that has come to me in a long, active and varied life, let me impress upon you that the world today needs, above all else, the help of a consecrated manhood. To this end you will do well to exemplify in your lives the old principles of the Fraternity” (Bird, Gold 107).

Concerning a local fraternity begun on the campus of Occidental College in California: “Aided by Hal Harding and Speed S. Fry, California, former High Councilor Arthur McCord [Birmingham-Southern], and future Province Chiefs Alfred Mellinthin, Minnesota, and John Mead, Western Reserve, the local won ready approval and was installed as California Delta Phi on June 4, 1926. It was the first national on campus” (Bird, Gold 112). Arthur McCord was also a guest speaker at the installation banquet (Bird, Gold 113).

“Perhaps the greatest recognition ever accorded to an ATO came in 1927 when Dr. Arthur Holly Compton, Wooster, received the Nobel Prize in physics. Only 35 years old, the youngest of three Alpha Tau brothers, he was then a professor at the University of Chicago. His discovery of the ‘Compton effect,’ which made him world famous, was one of the basic factors that led to the atomic bomb ... [indicated to a footnote] Brother Compton demonstrated that the atom could be ‘split’ to release enormous power. He afterwards had a leading role in the development of the A- bomb in World War II along with Brothers Vannevar Bush, Karl Compton and Kenneth Bainbridge” (Bird, Gold 133).

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

“In 1928 Colonel Carl Ben Eielson, N. Dak., carried the ATO flag over the North Pole when he flew with Sir Hubert Wilkins. Late in 1929 the ‘Flying Viking’ was lost on a rescue mission to North Cape ... Yes, we have had our intrepid heroes. All honor to them and those who follow in their footsteps, even into outer space.” Eielson, the ‘Flying Viking,’ is now considered ‘the father of Alaska Aviation’ (Reno 109).

“[At the 1929 Los Angeles Ross Memorial Congress] Former High Councilor Arthur McCord told how Judge Ross had given $1,000 to help rebuild the Berkeley chapter house when it was destroyed by fire, and how pleased the Founder had been to learn that an ATO Congress was coming to Los Angeles” (Bird, Gold 126).

“Arthur McCord, who had been the mainstay of the Los Angeles ATO Alumni Association since its founding in 1907 and a Province Chief, High Councilor, leading figure in installing the chapters at Washington, Occidental and U.C.L.A., was General Chairman [of the Ross Memorial Congress in Los Angeles in 1929]” (Bird, Gold, 129).

“[At the Ross Memorial Congress in Los Angeles in 1929] Requirement for initiation was made one semester with an average grade equivalent to that required for graduation” (Bird, Gold 130).

Concerning the Nominations in 1929: “George Drake, a High Councilor for nine years, was selected as Worthy Grand Keeper of the Annals, Drake’s place on the High Council going to Arthur McCord, as a salute to the West and to Art’s fine work as General Congress Chairman” (Bird, Gold 131).

Concerning a compilation of all of the Alpha Taus who had appeared in Who’s Who in America for the year 1929: “One of the smallest chapters, Sewanee, led in number of alumni listed, with 20; Auburn was second with 15; Adrian had 12; Vanderbilt and Birmingham-Southern were tied with 10 each; Southwestern and Muhlenberg with nine apiece...Youngest to be listed was James Saxon Childers, Birmingham-Southern, just 30 but already a writer of note.” (Bird, Gold 134- 35).

“There was little evidence of a depression during the scholastic year of 1929-30, in ATO affairs...Few signs of economic stress were evident as the Fraternity gathered for its Thirty- second Congress at the Hotel President in Kansas City, Missouri, on December 29, 1930” (Bird, Gold 149-51).

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(La Revue, 1922)

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

(La Revue, 1922 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1922 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1922 cont.)

Robert Justin Rowe

Wilmer Dickens Webb

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom

(La Revue, 1923)

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(La Revue, 1923 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1923 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1924)

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(La Revue, 1924 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1924 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1924 cont.)

Orman Stanton Gandy, B.S.

Raymond Donald Hurlbert, B.S.

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(La Revue, 1926)

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John Robert Cole, A.B. Howard Ellington, B.S.

John Oscar Newton, B.S. J.E. Rawls, A.B.

Leon McCoy Stevenson, A.B.

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Spencer T. Kimbrough, A.B.

Frank Robinson Morris, A.B.

Guy Everett Snavely, Jr., A.B.

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Cecil Fain Hackney, A.B. John Ralph Hackney, A.B.

Joseph Sheldon Morris, A.B.

George Hollin Wakefield, A.B.

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Cecil Fain Hackney, A.B.

Walter Patterson McNeill, A.B.

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The 1930’s: Countdown to ATO’s Seventy-fifth Anniversary

“On May 24, 1930, with High Councilor McCord and the new Chief, Roy Milligan, as InstallingOfficers, Arizona Epsilon Beta joined the Fraternity. That day 21 actives and 26 alumni of the local [fraternity that eventually became an ATO chapter] were initiated” (Bird, Gold 150).

“[At the 1930 Kansas City Congress] An amendment was adopted requiring candidates for initiation to have a passing grade in three-fourths of their work and to be in compliance with eligibility requirements of the institution” (Bird, Gold 156).

Arthur W. McCord was on the Nominating Committee for the 1930 Congress in Kansas City. “That [committee], by the way, was a distinguished group. With Oscar Touchstone as chairman it included Arthur McCord, High Council; PALM Editor Frank Scott; Province Chiefs Ralph Knight, Fred Huebenthal and Willard Benton; and five actives, one the All-American Calvert ‘Foots’ de Coligny, Tulane” (Bird, Gold 157-58).

Founder Otis Allan Glazebrook died on April 26, 1931. “The Worthy Grand Chief...appointed May 26 as ‘Glazebrook Memorial Day,’ for holding memorial exercises” (Bird, Gold 168).

National Educational Adviser Dean Clark, reporting on the fraternity’s new emphasis on scholarship in a spring issue of THE PALM in 1932: “Unless he [a rushee or potential new member] has an interest in his studies, and an interest in his fraternity, he is a liability rather than an asset” (Bird, Gold 173).

National Educational Adviser Dean Clark’s last words to his Brothers: “My theory is that the undergraduate in college can do what he wants to do. If he really wants an education and has force of character, he can overcome any handicap that is laid upon him” (Bird, Gold 175).

A breakdown Beta Beta’s Province from 1915-1933: “[Province] X. States. 1915: Alabama, Louisiana, Texas; 1923: Alabama, Louisiana; 1927: Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi. Chiefs. 1915: Ralph C. Goeth, Texas; 1917: James W. Rogers, Vanderbilt, Sidney B. Fithian, Illinois; 1921: Reid Lawson, Birmingham-Southern, C. Floyd Tillery, Alabama; 1924: A. Hull Withers, Tennessee; 1925: William H. McAtee, Southwestern; 1931: George Janvier, Tulane; 1933: Roy M. Watson, Tulane” (Bird, Gold 268).

“The depression had driven college enrollments down; of the fewer men who entered, a higher percentage than normal had to earn their own way. Since wages were low, this meant longer hours of work that often left no time or funds for joining a fraternity. The term ‘drop-out’ had not yet come into wide usage but the act was prevalent” (Bird, Gold 185).

“Facing up to its shortcomings and striving constantly for improvement has always been a basic principle of Alpha Tau Omega. Never had this been more forcefully demonstrated than during the depression from which the Fraternity was rapidly emerging” (Bird, Gold 193).

“ ... AND TWO WESTWARD PIONEERS: That winter [of 1935] two more illustrious Taus joined the Chapter Eternal [died]-Arthur McCord and John Van der Vries. Although their

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom services had begun many years before, both were not old: Van dying at 59, McCord at 60 ... McCord, graduating from Birmingham-Southern, became the first Chief of Province I, 1898- 1901, then comprising all Southeastern states. Moving to the West Coast in 1903, he helped found the University of Washington chapter. While visiting his former home in Alabama, he attended the 1906 Birmingham Congress and was elected as the first representative of the West Coast on the High Council. He launched the Los Angeles ATO Alumni Association in 1912 and was, with Gus Wendt, a big factor in the establishment of the UCLA and Occidental chapters there. Years later, at the 1929 Los Angeles Congress of which he was General Chairman, he again became High Councilor, serving until 1933” (Bird, Gold, 203-204).

Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega national High Council from 1929-1931 and again from 1931-1933 (Bird, Gold 264-65).

Concerning the National Officers Conference in 1938 to prepare for the 75th Anniversary of the Fraternity, the “Diamond Jubilee”: “A memorial to be erected at Virginia Military Institute was discussed and left in the hands of a special committee ... Past WGC Hugh Martin of Birmingham [but not an alumni of the Birmingham-Southern chapter], a noted architect, was designing the memorial, a handsome granite monolith with a drinking fountain, facing the V.M.I. parade grounds and close to the site of the first ATO chapter” (Bird, Gold 231).

“Seventy-four years after its birth, Alpha Tau Omega returned to Richmond, Virginia for its Diamond Jubilee” (Bird, Gold 239).

“S1, Paul’s Episcopal Church [in Lexington, Virginia], where Founder Glazebrook as a boy had seen the Greek cross (Tau) subjoined by the letters Alpha and Omega in the monogram which inspired the Fraternity’s name” (Bird, Gold 241).

“The Diamond Jubilee of Alpha Tau Omega, celebrated in June 1939, more than a year ahead of the actual date, was a time of proud rejoicing for the Fraternity. Glazebrook’s youthful dream-a fellowship of college men to help wipe out sectional hatred-had become a far-flung reality. From the first historical meeting of the three Founders on September 11, 1865, it had taken over 15 years for ATO to breach the Northern barrier. Since then the Mason-Dixon Line had been crossed and recrossed many times. By the 75th anniversary nearly 40,000 Brothers had taken their solemn vows to accept and practice the ideals of Alpha Tau Omega. Chapters flourished on some 93 campuses from the Atlantic to the Pacific, from the Canadian border to Texas” (Bird, Centennial 3).

“World War I had dealt fraternities a body blow. The runaway prosperity of the Twenties followed by the devastation of the depression had been a trial of strength even more savage. Alpha Tau Omega survived both with courage, determination and self-discipline. It would have to face a still deadlier challenge in the very near future: World War II...Within ten weeks after the Richmond Congress [the Diamond Jubilee], war broke out in Europe and the world was never again the same” (Bird, Gold 252-53).

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Richard P. Shepherd, B.S.

William Jemison Simmons, A.B.

Owen Harris Stephens, B.S.

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Howard Leslie Buchanan, A.B.

Joseph McDowell Whitson, A.B. Samuel Buford Word, B.S.

Charles Albert Snavely, A.B.

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Sam John Barham Wilbur Melville Wilson

Elton Bryson Stephens

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Jesse Eugene Walters

Rufus Edward Elliott

James Crenshaw

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Bernard Andrew Monaghan Leo Donnell Van de Voort

Albert L. Fairley

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Elmer Key Sanders

Charles Lee Weston

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Woodford Wyndham Dinning Robert McNeill

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Ed Cummins

Ben Hill Stough William Sulzby

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Lamar Andrews Vernon Cain

John Sydney Pittman Richard Sexton

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Fletcher Comer

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Forney Brandon

John Sidney Pittman Wm. Johnston Powers

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The 1940’s: World War II and Other Challenges

“[At the 1941 Congress in French Lick, Indiana, a bill was passed] stipulating that before a pledge may be elected to membership he should undergo a period of training and that election to membership should be by open ballot and by unanimous vote, at least two weeks prior to the date fixed for his initiation ... No restrictions were placed on pledging, that being left up to the chapters ... the measure was eventually passed. To this day [1968] Article VII, Section 4d remains unchanged from the wording adopted there” (Bird, Centennial 21).

“From the days of its founding, ATO had always been considered a Christian fraternity: in other words, a fraternity for Christians only. Yet nothing in the Constitution or Laws prevented the initiation of a non-believer. This surprising fact had been over-looked for 76 years. A few days later after Bert Wilbur was installed as WGC, he received a letter from PC Earl Bennett asking this basic question: ‘May a man be legally initiated into the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity who does not accept or believe in the Christian faith and the Christian philosophy?’ Bert put the problem up to Worthy High Chancellor Oscar Touchstone, the only man who had the power to ‘construe’ the Constitution and Laws of the Fraternity. Had Oscar answered in the affirmative, the way would have been opened to admit members of any non-Christian belief—Jews, Mohammedans, Shintoists, and even atheists. And according to a strict interpretation of the ATO codex juris, this interpretation was perfectly sound. But the Worthy High Chancellor took the position that ‘the Ritual and Secret Work of the Fraternity constitute its very essence and teach and demonstrate its purpose and the foundation stones of philosophy and symbolism which constitute the basis and ideology of our Brotherhood.’ Since the Ritual contained numerous references to Christian faith and philosophy, and since the proposed initiate naturally could not know this, Touchstone decided that the candidate could not ‘legally’ be required to take oaths not inconformity with his inner beliefs ... The supreme judicial body of the Fraternity had spoken. From this pronouncement no appeal was possible. Nor would the vast majority of Alpha Taus have had it otherwise” (Bird, Centennial 33-34).

“December 7, 1941, that fateful day when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor and catapulted America into World War II, wrought little immediate change in the Fraternity ... For the vast majority of Alpha Taus in college, Pearl Harbor merely confirmed their inner feeling that America would enter the war sooner or later. The shocking event caused some to rush out and enlist, but most had already decided to finish as much of their education as possible” (Bird, Centennial 35).

Concerning the initiation of a local fraternity at the University of Tulsa into the Delta Sigma Xi Chapter in 1944: “Co-Installing Officers were Brothers Touchstone and W.E. Morris Jr., Birmingham-Southern, the University’s director of personnel” (Bird, Centennial 54).

“By the summer of 1943 the Allies had invaded France and the Philippines; the end of the war seemed near ... A significant change in attitude was noticeable as compared with a year before, when the officers had reflected the gloomy possibility of a total collapse of the entire Fraternity System. Chapter after chapter had closed its doors—not one ATO was in college to carry on. Undergraduate membership dropped from 2,215 in March ‘43 to only 623 by November ‘43, a loss of 70 percent. But March ‘44 showed a slight increase and by fall there was another small

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. I Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom gain. From then on the comeback was spectacular. [Here, directed to a footnote: ‘From a low of 623 undergraduate members in November ‘43 the number rose to 4,098 in November ‘46; a year later it passed the 5,000 mark’]” (Bird, Centennial 55-56).

“The son of Past Worthy Grand Chief Martin was hailed as the greatest new song writer with such hits as ‘Trolley Song,’ ‘Pass the Peace Pipe’ and others for which he wrote both words and music. Hugh Martin Jr. won additional laurels as accompanist for Judy Garland in her sensational performances at the Palace” (Bird, Centennial 102).

“In a Congress featured by many ‘firsts,’ the Fraternity gathered at Sun Valley, Idaho, for its Thirty-ninth Biennial, July 1-4, 1948. It was the first ATO Congress in the Pacific Northwest, the first shared by Canada and the United States, the first with 100 chapters represented; the first ‘resort’ Congress to attract an attendance comparable to that of a big-city gathering: a registration of almost 600 ... Many noteworthy Alpha Taus attended the Sun Valley Congress ... Hugh Martin Jr., Birmingham-Southern, renowned composer-lyricist, with his father [Hugh Martin, a Birmingham architect who was an ATO of another chapter]” (Bird, Centennial 104- 105).

“For decades every college fraternity, including Alpha Tau Omega, had sought to abolish what Dean Clark called ‘the barbaric, hazardous, obscene and childish practices of the traditional “Hell Week.’’’ But the concept of pre-initiation hazing [here the reader is directed to a footnote: “The American College Dictionary defines the verb ‘haze’ as: ‘to subject (freshmen in a college or newcomers generally) to abusive or ridiculous tricks; to harass with unnecessary or disagreeable tasks.”‘] was deeply ingrained in most chapters, perpetuated by sadistic upperclassmen who wished to even the score for their own suffering as freshmen, and by alumni for whom the tribal rites had a nostalgic glamour. . .In place of Hell Week he [Robert W. Lollar, a Worthy Master of the chapter at Indiana University] set up a program which he called ‘Neophyte Standardization Week,’ with the idea of performing a community service as well as teaching the pledges to work together for a constructive purpose.” Thus, Help Week was born (Bird, Centennial 144).

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(Bird, Gold)

“SERVICE—NOT SAVAGERY!” Help Week instead of hell week—pre-initiation community service rather than time-wasting stunts or brutal punishments—has done more to rid fraternities of this blight than all anti-hazing laws combined. Moreover, the new concept has upgraded the Greek image to a marked degree. Alpha Tau Omega is proud to have originated Help Week and to have aided in its spread throughout the fraternity world. It is one of the most praiseworthy developments in ATO history.

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(Bird, Gold)

CHAPTER HOUSES OF THE FORTIES

Florida built this planta- tion-style beauty in ‘40, with then Governor, now U.S. Senator, Spensand Holland, Emory, as one of the main factors in the alumni building drive.

Colby started to plan a fine house before WWII; it was not actually built till this $132,000 home rose on Mayflower Hill, new college campus, in 1949. It housed 32 men.

Kansas had just dedicated its handsome “Tau Hut” at start of Fraternity’s fourth quarter century. It cost $75,000; new harmonizing wing in ‘64, over twice that amount.

Washington’s dramatic ATO house in Seattle was a show place of the early forties, maintained at near-capacity throughout World War II years.

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John B. Benson, capt. (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army at Maxwell Field in Montgomery, AI. James K. Watts, c/o Fleet Postoffice (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy in San Francisco, California. Kenneth H. Liles (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy at the Naval Reserve Midshipmen’s School in Notre Dame, Indiana (PALM, 62.4, March 1943).

John R. Cole, It., Fleet Airship Wing 31 (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Navy in Moffett Field, California (PALM, 63.3, Dec. 1943).

Those brothers of Alpha Tau Omega who have reached their fiftieth year of active service to the fraternity since their initiation become members of the Golden Circle and will be honored at Founders Day Banquets, receiving certificates and a complimentary life-time subscription to THE PALM. The list of Golden Circlers of 1943-those who were initiated in 1893-includes: Rev. James AJ. Brock, BB, now living in Birmingham, AI; Rev. George Stoves, BB, now living in Nashville, Tenn. (PALM, 62.4, March 1943).

“Fraternity Casualties About 4 Per Cent: About 4 per cent of all uniformed fraternity men have been named on casualty lists as of last November, and about 3 per cent are either dead or missing. More than one third of the 92 per cent in uniform are now either overseas or on duty afloat. These figures were released by the National Interfraternity Conference” (PALM, 64.1, March 1944).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1944—those who were initiated in 1894—includes: John E. Northcutt, BB, now living in Montgomery, AI.; Peyton O. Thomas, BB, now living in Selma, AI.; Albert Urquhart, BB, now living in Buffalo, New York (PALM, 64.1, March 1944).

Donald C. Brabston, ens. (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy overseas and can be reached c/o Fleet Postoffice, San Francisco (PALM, 64.1, March 1944).

Sam Connor, It., A.P.O. 782 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o the Postmaster, New York City. Buford Word, It. Col., A.P.O. 928 (Birmingham- Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o the Postmaster, San Francisco. (PALM, 64.2, June 1944).

Richard P. Shepherd, Birmingham-Southern, was born June 8, 1908 and initiated Feb. 22, 1926. He died on Dec. 27, 1943 (PALM, 64.2, June 1944).

William A. Brown, Jr., pvt., Sec. C, 25391h AAF BU (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army in Foster Field, Texas. Wayne F. Plant, pvt., Hq. Btry, 220th FA Grp. (North) (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army in Camp Hood, Texas. Joseph G. Robertson, pvt., 315th Depot Supply Sqdn. (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army in Kelly Field, Texas. Don O. Brush, Co. B, th Bn. (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Frank H. Colmant, pfc., A.P.O. 964 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, San Francisco. Raeford B. Liles, A/C, B 5, Flight Brigade 579 (Birmingham), James R. Ritchie, Bldg. 45 NATC, Comm. (Birmingham), and Chatfield H. Thompson, A/C, Class 8 B-44 P (c) c/o Flight Brigade, Bldg. 679

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USNATC (Birmingham Southern) are serving the Navy at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Fla. Sam G. Smith, Sqdn. 8-C (Birmingham) is serving the Navy at Whiting Field in Pensacola, Fla. Raymond D. Hurlbert, Jr., Co. 2, Plat. 2, NROTC (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Felton M. Collier, 9 Old West Dorm, NROTC (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy at the University of North Carolina in North Carolina. Otto L. Robertson, It. (jg) (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Navy overseas and can be reached c/o Fleet Postoffice, San Francisco. (PALM, 64.3, Sept.-Oct. 1944).

Joseph G. Robertson, pvt., Co. A, 33191h SU (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army at Lafayette College in Easton, Pennsylvania (PALM, 64.4, Dec. 1944).

Robert T. Bowen, It., APO 557 (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, New York City. Henry L. Kersh, colonel, APO 301 (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, San Francisco. William R. Mizelle, Jr., It., 11 Azalea Rd. (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy in Charleston, South Carolina (PALM, 65.1, March 1945).

(PALM, 65.1, March 1945)

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(PALM, 65.3, Sept. 1945)

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Robert H. Wharton, Jr., Birmingham Southern ‘36, married Lt. Dorothy Swann, Covington, Ga., March 4 (PALM, 65.1, March 1945).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1945-those who were initiated in 1895-includes: Robert E. Chadwick, BB, now living in Ensley, AI.; Joseph L. Henry, BB, now living in Guntersville, AI.; James M. Ward, BB, now living in Prattville, AI.; William F. Ormond, BB, now living in Selma, AI. (PALM, 65.1, March 1945).

Walter D. Meyer, pvt., APO 887 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, New York City. Robert O. Whiddon, Jr., sgt., APO 501 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, San Francisco. Ralph E. Tiller, Dispensary, USNAS (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy at Patuxent River, Maryland (PALM, 65.2, June-July 1945).

Those brothers of Alpha Tau Omega who have reached their twenty-fifth year of active service to the fraternity since their initiation become members of the Silver Circle and will be honored at Founders Day Banquets, receiving certificates. The list of Silver Circlers of 1945—those who were initiated in1820—includes: Lee A.B. Crumly (Birmingham-Southern) and Eugene C. Malone (Birmingham-Southern) who are both now living in Birmingham, AI. (PALM, 65.3, Sept. 1945).

Conrad M. Dendy, Jr., cpl., APO 149 (Birmingham-Southern) and Guy E. Snavely, Jr., capt., APO 403 (Birmingham-Southern) are serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, New York City. Frank H. Colmant, pfc., APO 241 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army overseas and can be reached c/o Postmaster, San Francisco (PALM, 65.3, Sept. 1945).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern College to the ATO PALM, 65.4, Dec. 1945: “Beta Beta came back from the wars literally and figuratively, with the beginning of the fall quarter. The return of many veterans was the highlight of the opening of school. When the smoke of rush week cleared we counted fourteen new pledges, eleven of whom were vets. This was the largest pledge class on the campus. Listed among the new men were Sam Adams, Jack Bazemore, Jack Buchanan, Blair Cox, Dick Fleming, Leon Goodwin, Joe Ed Hastings, Willis Israel, Johnny Jeff, Vic Knox, Ernest Pharo, Fred Sherrill, Farley Warner, and Johnny Wise. The new pledges jumped into the midst of things early when Adams, Fleming, Israel, and Warner grabbed the leading spots in the fall production of the College Theatre. The pledges are leading the football team to a successful season to date with the team in possession of second place. The horseshoe cup seems to be a certainty with Brothers Bowen, Buchanan, Cox and Fleming showing the way. A chicken fry (whoever heard of steaks!) was the highlight of the social season to date. The gang gathered for an evening of feasting and fun shortly after the close of rush week. Brother Liles was discovered to be an expert in a grass skirt doing the hula. Brother Crowe, W.M., wielding the gavel of the Interfraternity Council and Brother Bowen as vice-president of ODX, give us a good representation in the high offices of the campus. We are looking forward to Sadie Hawkins Day when the football team tackles the Independents in what may settle the championship, and when the women chase the men-especially the latter” (PALM, 65.4, Dec. 1945).

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“From the Mailbag: Fifteen Alpha Taus are enrolled in medicine, dentistry and pharmacy at the University of Tennessee. Besides local grads there are men from Ole Miss, Miss. State, Union, Tulane, and B’ham Southern” (PALM, 66.1, March 1946).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 66.1, March 1946: “Rush week added 13 new pledges to our chapter: John Boyce, Barclay Hurley, J.M. Knox, Jimmy Lee, Calvin Lowrey, Earl Moncrief, Webb Roberts, Charles Sizemore, Quinton Thomas, Frank Vance, Frank Wagner, Wallace Welch and Thomas Williams. As a result of the fall sports program, we now occupy first place in the race for the year’s intramural honors. Second to the independents in football, we won all the other trophies. With Bowen and Fleming showing the way, we took the horseshoe and badminton cups. In volleyball the team of Cox, Knox, Bazemore, Adams, Bowen, Fleming and Jeff led the race for individual honors but are pressed by Cox, Knox and Hastings. We also gained three of the places on the All-Star football team, Fleming being unanimous choice and Adams and Bowen also receiving places. The chapter has installed these new officers: Blair Cox, W.M.; Brothers Fleming, W.C.; Jeff, W.K.E.; Crowe, W.Sc.; Sherrill, W.U.; Buchanan, W.K.A., and Bazemore, W.S. This fall, Brother Fleming was named “Mr. Hilltopper,” by reason of his popularity and position on the campus. This distinction falls to a campus leader once a year. Brother Cox was elected to a position on the student executive council. Brother Pharo is our star piano player. Returning to the campus after an enforced absence of three years or more, we were happy to receive the assistance of Alumni Brothers Brabston, Callen, Dent, Hurlbert, Mitchell, McArthur, Robertson and Smith in our recent initiation” (PALM, 66.1, March 1946).

Ferdinand E. Smith, Birmingham-Southern, was born Oct. 1, 1874 and initiated 1890. He died Dec. 29, 1945 (PALM, 66.1, March 1946).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 66.2, June 1946: “Beta Beta continues to show the way in athletics, politics and social life. The beginning of a new quarter saw another prize crop of rusheees. The eleven new pledges are Cletus Bonds, Bill Brown, Dick Crabtree, “Sweetie” Downs, Holmes Irving, Ed Johnson, Gene Morgan, Frank Praytor, Jack Reynolds, Lofton Rutledge, and Fred Schoen. Recent initiates include Joe Ed Hastings, Calvin Bolton, Vic Knox, Jimmy Lee, Calvin Lowrey, Webb Roberts, Arthur Sharbel, Frank Vance, Frank Wagner and Tommy Williams. In intramural athletics Beta Beta is leading the fraternities for the year’s trophy. The softball team is atop the league led by the strong right arm of Brother Geno. The tennis and golf teams rate as the teams to beat if anyone is to win the cup. Brothers Bowen and Fleming are still the two top men in the race for individual honors. Brother Cox in the recent all-school elections was a landslide winner for the office of Business Manager of the Hilltop News. Brother Jeff was elected to a position on the Honor Council. Highlights of the social calendar have been the Monte Carlo Party, a weiner roast and numerous parties at the Cave Room. The big event, our summer formal, is scheduled for May 4” (PALM, 66.2, June 1946).

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(PALM, 66.3, Sept. 1946)

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(PALM, 66.3, Sept. 1946)

In December of 1946, Sigma Alpha Epsilon was the largest fraternity with 114 chapters and 61,138 members. Sigma Chi was the fifth largest in the nation with 103 chapters and 50,000 members, followed by Sigma Nu at number six with 98 chapters and 46,455 members. Alpha Tau Omega was the seventh largest with 95 chapters and 44,975 members. Theta Chi was thirteenth with 69 chapters and 25,268 members, followed by Kappa Alpha Order at number sixteen with 50 chapters and 30,000 members (PALM, 66.4, Dec. 1946).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 68.1, March 1948: “Six men were initiated Jan. 18, four of whom were listed on the dean’s list for the fall quarter. The new initiates are: Blane, Bodden, Schoen, Stuart, Ezell, and Howard. One of the members of Beta Beta won the annual AOPi contest to find the “best all-round guy,” and thus earned the title “Mr. Hilltopper” for 1947. W.M. John L. Jeff was tapped by ODK at the end of the fall quarter. Along with the rest of Birmingham, the chapter is looking forward to the visit of Brother Karl T. Compton, who will lecture on our campus. In addition to the parties and dances held in the fall, we had a party Christmas night attended by quite a number of Brothers from other chapters. -Bill Putnam” (PALM, 68.1, March 1948).

Quarterly report from Birmingham Alumni Association to the ATO PALM, 68.2, June 1948: “The Birmingham ATO Alumni Association rounded out its first full year of activity since the war with its Founders Day banquet, given as a part of the second annual State Conclave. At the banquet Elton Stephens, retiring president, reviewed details of the scholarship which the Association will offer as its major project this year. One hundred dollars will be given each fall to a member of the chapter with the highest scholastic average for the previous year. The winning chapter is to name three candidates and an alumni committee will select the recipient of the award on the basis of scholarship, character, extra-curricular activities, and need. Dr. C.B. Glenn, former superintendent of Birmingham schools, is chairman of the scholarship committee. Br. Frazer Banks, present superintendent of schools, Dr. Buford Word, J.M. Dannelly, Jr., and 97

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Dudley D. Stephens are other members of the committee. Newly elected officers of the association are Chris H. King, president; David Hamilton, vice president; Donald C. Brabston, secretary; Jimmy McCauley, treasurer; Schaler Houser, P.R. With a sound job of organization back of it, the association looks forward to a year of great promise under its new officers. -Bob Mitchelf’ (PALM, 68.2, June 1948).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 68.2, June 1948: “The second annual State Conclave was held in Birmingham April 2, 3, and 4. The affair is a joint effort of the Birmingham Alumni Association, Auburn, Alabama, and Birmingham Southern. Special credit for planning and arrangements goes to Fred Sherrill. The activities began with a banquet Friday night with several prominent alumni present; Worthy Grand Chaplain Richardson was the principal speaker. He told us about our Founders and the principles that guided them. His message will stay with all who heard him a very long time. Saturday at noon we had a luncheon followed by meetings of various committees of the chapters to swap ideas and plans. The social event of the Conclave was the ball held Saturday night at a downtown hotel. The weekend ended with the group attending church together. Frank Wagner was on the varsity tennis team, for the second year. This is Frank’s last year on the team; he will soon be a school teacher. Another kind of talent is that of Ralph Algood, now a disk jockey over station WAFM in Birmingham. Three of our musically minded members, Bill Horton, Joe Ed Hastings and Carey Chitwood went to New Orleans with the College Choir. -Bill Putnam” PALM, 68.2, June 1948).

(PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949)

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“Hugh Martin, Birmingham Southern ‘33, composer of ‘The Trolley Song’ and other hit tunes (PALM, March, 1948) will write the score for the new Ziegfeld Follies. He is the son of Past W.G.C. Hugh Martin, Bingham ‘89, famous builder of college buildings” (PALM, 68.3, Sept. 1948).

“Hugh Martin Scores Again With Broadway Musical Hit: Hugh Martin, Birmingham Southern ‘35, talented young composer and man-about-music, has added another distinguished feather to his theatrical cap with the top-notch vocal arrangements he created and directed for the score of the glittering new musical comedy hit As the Girls Go, now current at the famous Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway. Starring the beloved comedian Bobby Clark in the uproariously funny role of the husband of the first woman president of the United States (Lucille Wellington, played by Irene Rich), this Michael Todd production has offered Brother Martin a wide scope for his versatile talents in the realm of musical arrangements. A distinguished composer in his own right—last season’s big hit, Look, Ma, I’m Dancin’was his—Brother Martin is as adept in arranging as in composing. The name of Hugh Martin on the program of a Broadway musical has come to be known as a mark of distinction in the world of the theatre. Brother Martin is the son of Past Worthy Grand Chief Hugh Martin, Bingham ‘89” (PALM” 68.4, Dec. 1948).

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HIS SONGS RATE TOPS ON THE HIT PARADE Composer and lyricist of numerous popular songs, Hugh Martin, Birmingham Southern ‘35, is perhaps most celebrated for his sensational “Trolley Song.” He wrote one of the present favorites, “Pass the Peace Pipe” and did songs for the new musicomedy success, “Look, Ma, I’m Dancing!” (PALM, 68.4, Dec. 1948)

Quarterly report from Birmingham Alumni Association to the ATO PALM, 68.4, Dec. 1948: “With enthusiasm and determination to increase membership attendance, the Bermingham [sic] Alumni Association has resumed its regular meetings this fall under the able direction of president Chris King. We plan an active Vocational Placement Service in this area, and have a plan for increasing our present scholarship fund. Dick Webb, Birmingham Southern, with the Tennessee Company here, was awarded his Silver Circle certificate by Dave Hamilton. His son, Dick Jr. is a member of the active chapter at Auburn. An excellent first-hand account of the Sun Valley Congress was given by Joe Ed Hastings and Edgar Elliott, delegates from Birmingham Southern. We expect soon to have the grades from the ATO chapters in the state of Alabama. The $100 scholarship award will then be presented to the member chosen by the committee as ranking highest in scholarship, character, extracurricular activities and need. -Shaler C. Houser” (PALM, 68.4, Dec. 1948).

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“One of three U.S. delegates to the Midsummer Seminar on Education and Training of Teachers held in London last summer was Reuben H. Eliassen, Birmingham-Southern. He is now head of the department of education at Bethany College” (PALM, 68.4, Dec. 1948).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1949-those who were initiated in 1899-includes: Horace C. Cleveland, BB, now living in Centerville, AI.; William W. McGehee, BB, now living in Montgomery, AI.; Alonzo Abrams, BB, now living in Talladega, AI.; Sidney L. Gibson, BB, now living in Verbena, AI. (PALM, 69.1, March 1949).

Quarterly report from Birmingham Alumni Association to the ATO PALM, 69.1, March 1949): “Cliff D. Jenkins Jr., Auburn senior, has been named winner of the $100 scholarship award presented by the Birmingham Alumni Association. Brother Jenkins is the first winner of the award which is to be presented annually on the basis of scholarship, character, extracurricular activities and need. An industrial management student, he has maintained a 3.5 average for the 10 quarters he has been in attendance at Auburn. He has served as rushing chairman and Worthy Scribe. The 23-year old Birmingham Alpha Tau was recently tapped by Scabbard and Blade, honor society for outstanding advanced R.O.T.C men. He is also a member of the Society for the Advancement of Management. His industry has been demonstrated by the job he held as an agent for a dry cleaner. The income from this concession he used to augment his subsistence received from the GJ. Bill. Brother Jenkins was the unanimous choice of the committee composed of Dr. Buford Word, J.M. Dannelly, Jr., L. Frazer Banks, Dudley D. Stephens and Dr. C.B. Glenn, chairman. Two Golden Circle and four Silver Circle certificates are to be awarded at the Province Conclave to convene in Birmingham this spring. New officers of the Birmingham Alumni Association will be elected at the next meeting. -Shaler C. Houser” (PALM, 69.1, March 1949).

“For those who are interested in the overall picture of college fraternities as to numbers, here appears to be the latest, gleaned from The Fraternity Month: Members-l,432,637; Members initiated last year-82,2 J 0; Pledges-23,467; Active chapters-3,nO; New chapters installed last year-222; Colonies organized up to the present time since war-188; Alumni chapters-2,743; Alumni chapters organized this year-219; Chapter houses owned-l,564” (PALM, 69.2, June 1949).

William C. Mattison, Birmingham-Southern, was born Apr. 28, 1907 and initiated Feb. 4, 1924. He died Apr. 2, 1949 (PALM, 69.2, June 1949).

Quarterly report from Birmingham Alumni Association to the ATO PALM, 69.2, June 1949: “The third annual AATO State Conclave, with actives from the University of Alabama, Auburn, and Birmingham-Southern and alumni in this area, opened at the Thomas Jefferson Hotel on the evening of Friday, April 15, with a stag banquet. The feature speaker at this banquet was ‘Stew’ Daniels. Golden Circle certificates were awarded to: Dr. Earl Drennen, Alabama ‘01; Dr. Joseph Leland, Alabama ‘01; and Alonzo Abrams, Birmingham Southern ‘02. The 25-year certificates went to Edgar M. Elliott Jr., Birmingham Southern; Frank R. Trechsel, Carnegie Tech; and Raymond A. Hodge, Birmingham Southern. At noon on Saturday, a luncheon was held, and the conclave closed with a dance that evening at the Terrace Ball Room of the Thomas Jefferson Hotel. The new officers for the Birmingham Alumni Association are Chris King, president; Jim

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Conner, vice president; Ben Ash, secretary; Jimmie McCauley, treasurer; and Dick Webb, PALM Reporter. Actives and alumni are invited to attend our monthly meetings which will be held on the second Thursday of each month, on the balcony of the U.S Steak House. -Shaler C. Houser” (PALM, 69.2, June 1949).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 69.2, June 1949: “We started training for softball with a vengeance. Campus sportscasters predicted that with such stalwart repeaters as shortstop Webb Roberts, second baseman “Rusty” McDonald and outfielders Willis Neely and Bill Phillips, plus an array of newcomers including third baseman Quintus Fuller, and pitchers ‘Swede’ Engdahl and ‘Booty’ Jennings, the ATOs seem destined to add another leaf to their laurel. Other activities claiming the attention of the individual members of Beta Beta are the college theater’s production of The Rivals for which James Ogle is stage manager and in which Vic Moore, G.c. Draper and Bill Johnson have leading roles; Ed Elliott, vice president of the student body, direction of the May Day committee; and Bill Johnson’s yearbook, which is having the finishing touches put on it. Although ATOmic runner Art Sharbel has been graduated, the BB boys are running every day and Brothers Rupert Bodden, Bill Phillips, “Booty” Jennings and Ed Elliott should help us to win the championship for the third time since the war. Bill Johnson and Jim Ogle are president Phi. Engdahl and Cunniff also members of this national honorary classical language society. Ralph Ritchie was tapped for Kappa Phi Kappa, educational fraternity. Bodden is our representative in Skull and Bones, pre-med fraternity, while Earl Thorne, Joe Cunniff and Bill Johnson were elected to Omicron Delta Kappa. We have welcomed to the campus Homer Smiles of the Sewanee Chapter. Recent initiates include: Alfred Tyron Jennings, Bob Draper, G.c. Draper, Van Bailey, Ralph Powell, ‘Swede’ Engdahl, John Lovin, Jack Burney, Quintus Suller, Bill Grayson, Orland B. Finch, Jimmy Bethune and Tommy Nielsen. New pledges are Tommy McWilliams and Bill Collins. –Jimmy Ogle” (PALM, 69.2, June 1949).

Quarterly report from Birmingham Alumni Association to the ATO PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949: “ELTON STEPHENS, former president of the Birmingham Alumni Association was recently elected president of the Birmingham Southern College Alumni Association. An honorary Doctor of General Laws degree was conferred upon FRANK P. SAMFORD, Auburn’ 14, at spring graduation exercises of Howard College. He is president of the Liberty National Life Insurance Co. Past W.G.C. HUGH MARTIN, an initiate of the old Bingham’s School chapter at Mebane, N.C., designed the Birmingham Central Library, Birmingham Trust & Savings Bank Building, eight buildings for Birmingham Southern College and 31 buildings for the University of Alabama. He is a member of the Alabama Society of Architects and the American Institute of Architects. DR. MARYE Y. DABNEY, Sewanee, is professor of gynecology at the Alabama Medical College and editor of The Southern Medical Journal. DR. EARLE DRENNEN, Alabama ‘01, a retired surgeon, recently received his Golden Circle certificate. HENRY P. JOHNSTON, Washington & Lee ‘29, is vice president of the Birmingham News Company .... McClelland VanderVeer, Tulane’ 15, is associate editor of The Birmingham Age-Herald ... and William L. Waddell, Georgia ‘35, is city editor of The Birmingham Post. DICK WEBB Jr., Auburn (your reporter’s son) is captain of the 1950 Auburn baseball team. He signed to play the summer of ‘49 in the Flint River semi-pro league in Georgia. –W. Dick Webb” (PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949).

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JEFF SAID! W.M. Johnny Jeff (far right) of Birm- NEW AUBURN BASEBALL CAPTAIN ingham Southern entertains at chapter rushing party, Dick Webb, who will lead the Auburn nine John Blane and Ken Little (seated) became pledges. in 1950, is son of W. Dick Webb, Bir- Ed Elliott and Calvin Bolton (standing) join fun. mingham Southern ‘22, officer of the ATO Alumni Association there.

(PALM, 68.1, March 1948; PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949)

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949: “New officers are Ed Elliott, W.M.; Carey Chitwood, W.e.; Bill Phillips, W.K.E.; Ralph Powell, W.Sc.; Rupert Bodden, W.K.A.; Bill Carter, W.U.; Van Bailey, W.S.; and Bill Putnam, P.R. Tapped for membership in Omicron Delta Kappa last spring were ED EILLIOTT, JIMMY OGLE and VIC MOORE. CAREY CHITWOOD is a member of the Student Executive Council and BILL PHILLIPS is vice president of the Interfraternity Council. ED MORRIS ‘25 is Director of Athletics at the University of Tulsa. An Oklahoman who came our way is EUGENE A. HOLTMAN, Oklahoma A. & M. ‘42, who is librarian at Birmingham Southern. JAMES S. CHILDERS, former Beta Beta faculty adviser, now writes in Chapel Hill, N.C. A Rhodes Scholar in 1923, he was formerly professor of English at Birmingham Southern and literary editor and feature writer for The Birmingham Age-Herald. -Bill Putnam” (PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949).

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Who’s Who in Alpha Tau Omega in the 1940’s: John R. McDuffie, Birmingham-Southern, United States Judge for Southern District of Alabama; W.E. Morris Jr., Birmingham-Southern, director of athletics, Tulsa University; Hugh Martin Jr., Birmingham-Southern, Broadway composer; James S. Childers, Birmingham-Southern, author; Robert B. Barnes, Birmingham- Southern, vice pres. American Optical Co. (PALM, 69.3, Sept. 1949).

(Bird, Centennial)

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(La Revue, 1941)

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(La Revue, 1941 cont.)

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(La Revue, 1941 cont.)

Hugh Hawk Cecil Parson

Paul Rockhill

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(Southern Accent, 1942)

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Kenneth Liles Terrell Reese

James Dent War is Declared

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The 1950’s: Continued Improvements

The list of Golden Circlers for 1950—those who were initiated in 1900—includes: Ferdinand H. Bryant, BB, now living in Birmingham, Al.; John McDuffie, Jr., BB, now living in Mobile, Al.; John W. Frazer, BB, now living in Selma, Al. (PALM, 70.1, March 1950).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 70.1, March 1950: “Initiated January 15 were Bill Hemming (winner of a plaque denoting him “Most Valuable Pledge”), Tim Jones, Grover White, Clayton Carper, Tommy MacWilliams, Don Englebert, John Merchant and Don Legler. Among mid-term graduates were Ralph Ritchie, who has begun teaching, and Joe Ed Hastings, who has sailed for India, to be a Methodist missionary there. The Beta Beta football team won second place in intramural competition. Buddy Oxford is playing his last year of Varsity basketball, after having been captain twice. He was succeeded as captain for this year by Bill Ware, Beta Beta pledge. Plans for the Alabama State Conclave, an annual affair of Beta Delta, Alpha Epsilon and Beta Beta, are well under way. The tapping of Carey Chitwood, W.C., for ODK, was followed by his election as president of the school’s Honor Council. One of the recent initiates, Tim Jones, has been made Greek Editor of the College newspaper of which John Merchant is photographer. —Bill Putnam” (PALM, 70.1, March 1950).

“Primitive Indian Shield Displays ATO Symbols: While on a recent photographic expedition into the Southwest and Mexico, Dr. Charles H. Creighton, Albion ‘36, discovered an Indian buffalo hide shield; the familiar crescent and three stars displayed in the upper portion of the painted design show a striking similarity to the figures (although inverted) used in the ATO badge and pledge button. Dr. Creighton observes, “This likely represents the first time these particular figures were used in connection with ritual and symbolism in this portion of the world, since the shield pattern is purely aboriginal in design. The shields were endowed with special potency in battle by means of the unusual and occult designs painted upon them. This one, which measures two feet in diameter, has further been adorned by two tufts of horsehair, a feather and a red flannel strip which impart an additional quantity of ‘medicine’ to the user” (PALM, 70.2, June 1950).

This North American Indian buffalo hide shield from a Pueblo in the upper Rio Grande valley was photographed by Dr. Charles H. Creighton, Albion ’36. The crescent and three stars, familiar to any Alpha Tau, present a striking similarity to our badges and pledge buttons.

(PALM, 70.2, June 1950)

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CO-AUTHORS James Childers (right), Birmingham-Southern, and James Street collab- orated in writing To- morrow We Reap (The Dial Press), a novel About the post-Civil War South. Brother Childers, a former Rhodes Scholar, now lives in Chapel Hill, N.C. Laurel and Straw, which he wrote while teaching at Birmingham-South- ern, was made into the film “A Yank at Ox- ford.”

(PALM, 70.2, June 1950)

“Joe Ed Hastings, Birmingham-Southern ‘49, sailed for India in January to become a teacher in the Mount Hernon School at Darjeeling. A former W.M. of Beta Beta, he will be there for three years under the auspices of he Board of Missions of the Methodist Church” (PALM, 70.2, June 1950).

Quarterly Report from Birmingham Alumni Association to the ATO PALM, 70.2, June 1950: “New officers of the Birmingham Alumni Association, elected at the March meeting held in conjunction with the Annual State of Alabama Conclave, are Albert Mills, Birmingham Southern ‘35, president; Jim Connor, Auburn ‘42, vice president; Lofton Rutledge Jr., Alabama ‘50, secretary-treasurer; Cliff D. Jenkins, Auburn ‘49, P.R. The Fourth Annual State of Alabama Conclave was held in Birmingham on March 3 and 4. The weekend opened with a banquet Friday night at which Johnnie Vann, Chairman of the High Council, was principal speaker. Brothers Kenneth Perrine, Edgar Elliot Sr., Cecil Hackney and Frank Samford were awarded their Silver Circle certificates. The annual football trophy awarded to the winner of the Alabama- Auburn game was turned over to W.M. Dick Allison of Auburn for a year’s safe keeping. The actives of the three state chapters and the alumni joined in a smoker Saturday afternoon and that night entertained their wives and dates at the Conclave Ball. The Birmingham Alumni $100 scholarship award was presented to Harry Colemon of Auburn. This award is given each year to the state chapter maintaining the highest grade point average for the past year. The qualifying chapter nominates three men and the alumni select the one man most deserving of the award. Harry is a junior in architecture, member of Spades, president of Westminster Fellowship, editor of college yearbook, past Rush Chairman and House Manager. Birmingham alumni stages a

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“kick off breakfast” to get the ball rolling on the Birmingham Southern chapter house fund. Dr. Buford Word, chairman of the drive, reports that the fund is only $2,000 short at present. The C.B. Glenn High School being erected in Birmingham bears the name of a very prominent and beloved brother, Dr. C.B. Glenn, Auburn ‘98, retired superintendent of the Birmingham public schools. —Cliff Jenkins” (PALM, 70.2, June 1950).

“At the University of Tulsa ED MORRIS, Birmingham-Southern ‘25, is Director of Athletics” (PALM, 70.4, Dec. 1950).

DeWitt Weaver, Tennessee ’37, associate coach at Tulsa, and Athletic Director Ed Morris, Birmingham-Southern ’25, prepare to see the Golden Hurricane on celluloid. Brother Morris is the son of the Rev. Dr. W.E. Morris, Birmingham-Southern ’91, and was once Worthy Master of his chapter. He is also professor of English at Tulsa. DeWitt Weaver captained the 1936 Tennessee football team and was president of his senior class.

(PALM, 70.4, Dec. 1950)

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Pledge Class of 1950 at Birmingham-Southern: James G. Atkins, Birmingham; Robert Bailey, Birmingham; Donald Bearden, Birmingham; Ray Dyer, Birmingham; Robert M. Gray, Birmingham; Ronald Head, ‘52, Birmingham; Gene Lockhart, ‘53, Birmingham; Richard McCulloch, Birmingham; Thomas Mitchel, Birmingham; Gene Montgomery, Birmingham; John Putman, ‘53, Birmingham; Eugene Stone, Harpersville; William Vines, Birmingham (PALM, 70.4, Dec. 1950).

ELLIOTT EPIC Edgar M. Elliott Jr. (center), Birmingham Southern ’26, receives his Silver Circle awards from Johnnie Vann while Ed Elliott III, W.M. of Birmingham Southern, looks on. The Elliotts, son and grand- son, respectively, of Ed- gar Meadow Elliott, Bir- mingham Southern ’89, were among those present at the Birmingham Founders Day celebration.

(PALM, 70.2, June 1950)

Quotation from THE PALM from Ting Abbott, National ATΩ Educational Adviser in the early 1950’s: “Men who are better than average academically are also better than average in assuming and discharging responsibilities in all activities relating to their college, their fraternity and personal affairs. Always remember, the scholastic standing of a chapter has an immediate bearing on the graduation expectancy of its members. A good chapter cannot be built with a fluctuating and transient personnel. Look to the future—your future, your chapter’s future!” (Bird, Centennial 157).

“To look at the bright side of the mirror first, we have seven chapters ranking first on their respective campuses. In most cases, there is a long tradition of good scholarship in these chapters. All honor due to M.I.T., BOWDOIN, SEWANEE, SOUTHWESTERN, ST. LAWRENCE, BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN, SOUTH DAKOTA AND W. & J.” Birmingham- Southern’s chapter is ranked fifth with a GPA 11.97% above the All-Men’s Average at BSC, an 18.71% gain over the 1948-49 school year. At the time, Beta Beta Chapter was ranked first out of the seven fraternities at BSC (PALM, 71.1, March 1951).

“McCord Presents Glazebrook Memento to Fraternity: A handsome gold watch-fob locket, made from the cuff links of Founder Otis A. Glazebrook, is the latest addition to the Fraternity archives in the Central Office. Presentation of the locket was made by Ferd S. McCord, Birmingham-

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Southern ‘00, on behalf of Alabama Beta-Beta, at a recent dinner meeting of the San Francisco Alumni Association. Executive Secretary Stewart D. Daniels accepted it for the Fraternity. Brother McCord explained that the locket was given in 1887 to Dr. Glazebrook who wore it until his passing in 1931. Some years later the locket was given to the late Arthur W. McCord, Birmingham-Southern ‘99, by Larkin W. Glazebrook, the Founder’s son, who was Worthy Grand Chief from 1894 to 1900. Arthur McCord was the logical person to receive the Glazebrook memento, for he was a close friend of Larkin Glazebrook and was the first man appointed by him when the Province Chief system was established in 1898. Brother McCord was provisional Chief of Province I, then comprised of chapters in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and South Carolina. Two years later, the Province Chief system having been permanently adopted and Brother McCord having moved to Nashville, he was made Chief of Province III. He served on the High Council from 1906 to 1908 and from 1929 to 1931 and became Deputy Alumni Director for Province XII after moving to California. He was responsible for much of the Fraternity’s activity on the West Coast and it was during his term as president of the Los Angeles Alumni Association in 1926 that charters were granted to the Occidental and U.C.L.A. chapters” (PALM, 71.1, March 1951).

GLAZEBROOK MEMENTO RECEIVED BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN CAGE MEN Executive Secretary Stewart D. Daniels Alpha Taus on the Birmingham-Southern basketball team are (l. to r.) Lucius de receiving from Ferd S. McCord, Birming- Yampert, Bob Gray, Bill Ware and Larry Striplin ham-Southern ’00, the locket made from Founder Glazebrook’s cuff links.

(PALM, 71.1, March 1951)

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 71.1, March 1951: “Beta Beta has lost Brother Quintus Fuller and pledges Ray Dyer and Gene Lockhart to the Air Force, and Brother Ty Hill to the Marin Corps. The football team came out second in the intramural league, being undefeated until the last game. The basketball team is still undefeated early in the season. We hold the scholarship cup for the spring semester. Results for the fall quarter have not as yet been tabulated. W.M. Ralph Powell was recently selected to serve on the Honor Council after his retirement as president of the Interfraternity Council. Bill Grayson has been appointed fraternity editor of the college newspaper on which John Putman and Donald Bearden serve as columnists. Initiation was held in February for the fall pledge class, including Ralph Parsons and Larry Striplin. —Barrie Bodden” (PALM, 71.1, March 1951).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1951—those who were initiated in 1901—includes: Howard L. Cleveland, BB, now living in Centreville, Al.; Thomas B. Ward, BB, now living in Demopolis, Al.; Robert R. Jones, BB, now living in Greenville, South Carolina (PALM, 71.1, March 1951).

“Tennessee Alpha Tau at SOUTHWESTERN AT MEMPHIS takes the Worthy Grand Chief Award as our top chapter scholastically for 1949-50…. All these chapters except Mississippi Southern, took first place on their respective campuses as did BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN, ST. LAWRENCE, NEVADA, TENNESSEE, MARIETTA and ADRIAN. TULANE wins the High th Council Award for showing the greatest improvement during the year, having jumped from 14 of 16 to fourth place and a percentage gain of 20.98%. BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN, moving up from fifth of seven to first place, was the runner-up with an 18.71 percentage gain (PALM, 71.2, June 1951).

“The standing of the 10 fraternities with 100 or more chapters, according to latest information at hand, is: Lamda Chi Alpha—137; Sigma Alpha Epsilon—127; Kappa Sigma—122; Sigma Chi—119; Phi Delta Theta—113; Alpha Tau Omega—109; Sigma Nu—107; Sigma Phi Epsilon—103; Phi Kappa Alpha—100; Theta Chi—100” (PALM, 71.2, June 1951).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 71.2, June 1951: “Beta Beta won the intramural basketball trophy for the year, and our quintet reached the semifinals in the city Park and Recreation Board tournament. This intramural title for paddleball was awarded to Brother ‘Supe’ Phillips, who is now serving with the U.S. Air Force. Brothers Ralph Powell and George Draper felt that they derived much from the joint conclave of Provinces X and XV which was held in Dallas, Texas. The Mothers Club, organized earlier in the year under the leadership of Mrs. J.W. Lovin, has become extremely active. This group provided refreshments for all of our social functions. They also planned a tea in honor of the graduating members. Donald Bearden was named “outstanding pledge” for the fall quarter. During recent weeks Carl Rosebrough was added to the list of pledges. Brothers George Draper, Barrie Bodden, and John Putman have all taken active parts recently in the College Theatre. Brother Draper, who had parts in the last four productions, recently accepted a position with Fairfield High School teaching history and drama. —Barrie Bodden” (PALM, 71.2, June 1951).

George T. Hill, pfc. USMC, Yermo Annex (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy or Marine Corps in Barstow, California. Osa L. Andrews Jr., lt. comdr., Staff-Charleston Group

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Atlantic Reserve Fleet Naval Base (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy or Marine Corps in Charleston, South Carolina (PALM, 71.2, June 1951).

Osa L. Andrews, Birmingham-Southern, pictured in front row center (PALM, 1952)

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 71.3, Sept. 1951: “In intramural sports Beta Beta won first-place awards in basketball, softball, volleyball, track, paddleball and tennis, and second place in touch football and swimming. Having the best intramural record, the chapter received the all-sports trophy, and of the ten high-point men in sports selected on campus, seven were ATOs. ATO topped all other fraternities on the campus in scholarship for the fall quarter and received two national awards for scholastic improvement. BILL HENNING, ODK, was elected Student Body president; BARRIE BODDEN, editor of Southern Accent, the college annual; and DON BEARDEN was elected to represent Men’s Lower Division. Officers for the coming year are CARROLL GARDNER, W.M.; JOHN MERCHANT, W.C.; BUDDY FINCH, W.K.E.; JOHN LOVIN, W.K.A.; DON BEARDEN, W.Sc.; DON ENGLEBERT, W.U.; CLAYTON CARPER, W.S.; BOB GRAY, P.R.; TOM McWILLIAMS, Rush Captain. —Bob Gray” (PALM, 71.3, Sept. 1951).

“Up to the present time we have had reports from 73 chapters with at least one report from each province, 34 chapters being above the All-Men’s Average for 1950-51. Is your province and chapter in this list? Those chapters and provinces are: Prov. X—Birmingham-Southern, Mississippi, Mississippi Southern, Tulane” (PALM, 71.4, Dec. 1951).

th th LeRoy D. Crabtree, t/sgt., 14 Air Div. 9 Bomb. Wg. (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Air th Force at Travis Air Force Base in California. James J. Bethune Jr., cpl., Hq. Btry., 200 Armed FABN (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army or Air Force at Fort Campbell in Kentucky. th Frank D. Praytor, cpl., 14 Repl. Draft (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Navy or Marine Corp at Camp Pendleton in California (PALM, 71.4, Dec. 1951). 135

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Pledge Class of 1951 at Birmingham-Southern: M. Lamar Aman, ‘53 Birmingham; Roger C. Clayton, Birmingham; Robert L. Cross, Birmingham; Vernon E. Innerarity, Spring Hill; Lawrence E. McGinty, ‘52, Birmingham; Paul E. McGinty, Birmingham; Richard S. Moore, Ensley; Thomas W. Ogletree, Birmingham; John B. Ponder; Herbert M. Snuggs, Birmingham; James O. Williams, Lipscomb (PALM, 71.4, Dec. 1951).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1952—those who were initiated in 1902—includes: Frank G. Hastings, BB, now living in Monroeville, Al. (PALM, 72.1, Feb. 1952).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 72.1, Feb. 1952: “(With the following chapter letters are shown the chapters’ scholastic reports for the past three years. The numbers mean the percentage above or below the All-Men’s Average; the asterisk means data not available for year indicated; and the dash means that data for last year not yet received or tabulated.—Ed.) Birmingham-Southern—1948-49 (-7); 1949-50 (+12); 1950-51(+2) [Originally a +3, but corrected as +2 in the PALM, 72.2, May 1952]. ODK membership has been conferred on W.M. Carroll Gardner and W.K.A. John Lovin. Beta Beta’s intramural football championship, based on an undefeated season, and a second-place finish in volleyball brighten prospects for retaining the all-sports trophy won last year as seven men were chosen among the top ten athletes of the year. Holding down spots on Southern’s basketball squad are Lucius DeYampert and Tommy McWilliams. Pledges Roger Clayton, James Williams and Tommy Ogletree held leading roles in the College Theatre production of the musical Iolanthe. Clayton and Ogletree are president and vice president, respectively, of the pledge class; Milner Smuggs is secretary. Dr. Arnold F. Powell has taken the position of Chapter Adviser vacated by Dr. Herman R. Butts, who was called into service. —Robert Gray” (PALM, 72.1, Feb. 1952).

George C. Draper Jr., Birmingham Southern ‘51, married Beverly Murphy, Fairfield, Ala., Nov. 23. William P. Phillips, Birmingham Southern ‘51, married Marion McCoy, Birmingham, Ala., th Dec. 22 (PALM, 72.1, Feb. 1952). David E. Daniel, col., Hqs. 314 Trp. Carrier Grp., APO 75 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Army or Air Force overseas (PALM, 72.1, Feb. 1952). Jesse Walters, Birmingham Southern, was born Jan. 16, 1912 and initiated 1930. He died December 1, 1951 (PALM, 72.1, Feb. 1951). James G. Atkins, SN, Naval Air Station (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Navy in Birmingham, Al. (PALM, 72.2, May 1952).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 72.2, May 1952: “Beta Beta chapter started off the spring quarter in high style with its annual house party, held this year at Gulf Shores. The “A” basketball squad finished a highly successful season of play, capturing the intramural first place title and placing Carroll Gardner and Dickie McCulloch on the intramural all-star team. Tommy McWilliams and Lucius DeYampert lettered on the Southern varsity squad. The chapter has been busy remodeling a newly-acquired set of rooms located in one wing of North Hall. Barrie Bodden, Tim Jones, and Lucius DeYampert are supervising the furnishing and decorating of the rooms, which lend themselves very nicely to use fraternity functions in the absence of a chapter house. Roger Clayton, Tommy Ogletree, Larry McGinty and John Ponder, who was chosen “outstanding pledge of the year,” were recently initiated. —Robert Gray” (PALM, 72.2, May 1952).

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(PALM, 71.4, Dec. 1951)

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(PALM, 71.4, Dec. 1951 cont.)

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 72.3, Sept. 1952: “Beta Beta’s new officers are BILL GRAYSON, W.M.; ORLAND (BUDDY) FINCH, W.C.; DON ENGLEBERT, W.K.W.; BOB GRAY, W.K.A.; BILL DALE, W.Sc.; TOMMY OGLETREE, W.U.; and FICK McCULLOCH, W.S. The all-sports trophy was won by ATO for the second straight year, with first place trophies in touch football, basketball, softball, paddleball and swimming, and with second places in ping pong and tennis. ATO places six men in the top ten all-campus athletes, with CARROLL GARDNER capturing the Robertson Athletic Medal for the second straight year as top all-round athlete. In other campus activities, RONALD HEAD has been tapped for ODK and BILL HENNING, last year’s student body president, was named most outstanding senior of the graduating class. JOHN LOVIN was elected president of the senior class. In the student body elections, DON BEARDEN was elected business manager of Southern Accent. Beta Beta came through with the upset of the year in winning the coveted Intrafraternity Sing trophy for the first time in many years. New initiates are WALTER LEWIS, LAWRENCE CROSS and MILNER SNUGGS. —Robert Gray” (PALM, 72.3, Sept. 1952).

Beta Beta Chapter had a GPA 2 points above the Birmingham-Southern All-Men’s Average for the 1950-51 school year, but only a GPA 1 point above the A.M.A. for the 1951-52 school year (PALM, 72.4, Dec. 1952).

“The commencement address at the University of Georgia in June was delivered by James Saxon Childers, Birmingham-Southern, associate editor of The Atlanta Journal, novelist and short story writer and former Rhodes Scholar from Alabama” (PALM, 72.4, Dec. 1952).

The last surviving member of ATO’s Alpha chapter and dean of Missouri bankers, Graham G. Lacy, V.M.I. ‘79 [1879] died at his home in St. Joseph, Mo., on June 14, two months before he would have been 94 years old (PALM, 72.4, Dec. 1952).

“Now there are 10 fraternities that have more than 100 chapters and two others that are very close to the line. Most of them, too, have grown mightily since World War II…. The standing of these larger fraternities, according to their latest magazines and other information at hand, is: Lambda Chi Alpha—140; Sigma Alpha Epsilon—130; Kappa Sigma—124; Sigma Chi—123; Alpha Tau Omega—115; Sigma Nu—115; Theta Chi—110” (PALM, 72.4, Dec. 1952).

Grover White, Birmingham-Southern ‘52, married Betty Jean Pendle, Birmingham, June 3 (PALM, 72.4, Dec. 1952).

“A year ago Alpha Tau Omega had 15 campus “firsts.” Here are the “firsts” for 1954. Birmingham-Southern 1/7 [referring to school football player who has acceptable scholarship; the fraction refers to scholastic standing].” Beta Beta chapter was ranked fifth out of all of the ATO chapters in the nation for chapter’s percentage above the All-Men’s Average GPA, above the A.M.A. by 12.67% (PALM, 75.1, Feb. 1953).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1955—those who were initiated in 1905—includes: George S. Frazer, BB, now living in Montgomery, Al.; Richard C. Rush, BB, now living in San Fernando, California; John R. Hill, BB, now living in Orlando, Florida (PALM, 75.1, Feb. 1955).

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Quarterly Report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 75.1, Feb. 1955: “(With the following chapter letters are shown the chapters’ scholastic reports for the past three years. The numbers indicate the percentage above or below the All-Men’s Average on a particular campus; the asterisk means data not available for the year indicated; and the dash means that data for last year have not yet been received or tabulated. Dates by chapter names indicate year of founding.—Ed.) Birmingham-Southern—1951-52 (0.00); 1952-53 (3.79); 1953-54 (12.67)

“Beta Beta pledged 16 men last fall: Pop Asken, Allen O’Dell, Larry Mosely, Milton Boikin, Steve Moreno, George Calvert, Stan Gullege, Horton Smith, Don Paty, Eugene Morrison, Don Michel, Albert Morris, Dave Keathley, Jim Pigman, Joe Estes and Fred Stephens. ATO won the intramural football title in an undefeated season. Gene Montgomery was runner-up in ping pong. For the third straight time ATO retired the scholarship cup, ahead of the next group by almost a point. Barry Anderson is a new member of ODK. —Grady Looney” (PALM, 75.1, Feb. 1955).

John E. Northcutt, Birmingham-Southern, was born Dec. 27, 1870 and initiated Aug. 25, 1894. He died May 26, 1954 (PALM, 75.1, Feb. 1955).

David E. Daniel, col., Hqs. USAF-AFMTP Pentagon (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Air Force in Washington, D.C. Paul von S. Liles, lt. col., USA OTRS 370 (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Air Force or Army in Fort Lewis, Washington (PALM, 75.1, Feb. 1955).

Beta Beta Chapter was 12.67% above the All-Men’s Average at Birmingham-Southern for the 1953-54 school year and 14.45% above the A.M.A. for the first reporting period of the 1954-55 school year (PALM, 75.2, May 1955).

th Richard D. McCulloch, pvt., Co. H, 86 Inf. Reg. (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army at Fort Riley in Kansas. Paul vonS. Liles, lt. col., Qtrs. 370 (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army or Air Force in Washington (PALM, 75.2, May 1955).

Thomas Ogletree wins Thomas Arkle Clark Award for Province X

(PALM, 1955)

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 75.3, Sept. 1955: “The announcement was recently made that brother THOMAS WARREN OGLETREE, had won the Thomas Arkle Clark award for being the most outstanding senior ATO of Province X. Brother Ogletree, in addition to maintaining an A average throughout his college career, held the office of Chaplain of Beta Beta and was president of the student body. He was a member of several active campus organizations, as well as many honorary organizations. Recently he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. BARRY HOLLIS ANDERSON, was recently elected president of the student body thus giving ATO two successive presidents. Brother Anderson is a ministerial student who has maintained an A average over this three years at Southern. For the past nine consecutive quarters Beta Beta has had the top average scholastically of all fraternities on Southern’s campus. Also, for the fifth consecutive year, we have won the Intramural High Point Trophy for being the top organization in intramural sports the year round. During the past year we won first place trophies for football, basketball, volleyball, ping pong, the basketball play-off and swimming. In all the other sports we placed second. At the end of the year, announcement was made of the ten outstanding men in Southern’s intramural program. Four of these were ATOs. Number one on this list was PHILIP DANIEL TIMBERLAKE, W.M. who for the second consecutive year walked away with all the honors. The new officers of Beta Beta are: DON McNEIL, W.M.; GRADY LOONEY, W.C.; ROYCE MURRAY, W.K.E.; BILL DEAN, W.Sc.; JIM GRAY, W.K.A.; CHARLES GRAFFED, W.S.; LAWRENCE CROSS, W.U.; RAYMOND ASKEW, Palm Reporter. The new faculty advisor is DR. HOYT M. KAYLOR, 804 Thirteenth street, S.W., Birmingham. — Raymond F. Askew” (PALM, 75.3, Sept. 1955).

(Photo courtesy of Raymond F. Askew)

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(Photos courtesy of Raymond F. Askew)

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(Photos courtesy of Raymond F. Askew cont.)

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(Photos courtesy of Raymond F. Askew, circa 1955-1956 cont.)

The following four photos are enlargements of the four photos that appear together on the bottom of the previous page:

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(Photos courtesy of Raymond F. Askew, circa 1955-1956 cont.)

rd Edgar M. Elliott III, 1/lt., JAGC, Hq. 3 Army (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army at th st Fort McPherson in Georgia. William E. Vines, pvt., Co. …, 100 Tank Bn., 1 Armd. Div. (Birmingham Southern) is serving the Army at Fort Hood in Texas (PALM, 75.4, Dec. 1955).

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“In addition to Sewanee and Southwestern, the following chapters finished the year 10% or more above the AMA [All-Men’s Average]: Birmingham-Southern (11.85%)” (PALM, 76.1, Feb. 1956).

“These chapters, which failed to submit material for the February PALM, have three-year scholastic standings above or below the All-Men’s Average as follows: Birmingham-Southern— 1952-53 (3.79); 1953-54 (12.67); 1954-55 (11.85)” (PALM, 76.1, Feb. 1956).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1956—those who were initiated in 1906—includes: Oliver C. Weaver, BB, now living in Brewton, Alabama (PALM, 76.1, Feb. 1956).

“Founders Day—1956: Founders Day saw again saw many undergraduate chapters joining alumni groups to celebrate the Fraternity’s founding…. Elsewhere in Alabama, a joint Founders Day celebration was held by the active chapters at Alabama and Birmingham-Southern, with Worthy Grand Chief J. Milton Richardson as speaker” (PALM, 76.2, May 1956).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 76.3, Sept. 1956: “Beta Beta has finished another successful year as Birmingham-Southern College brought to a close its Centennial Anniversary. In sports the Taus here got off to only a fair start, tying for third in baseball but placing BARRY ANDERSON, POP ASQUE and CHARLES GRAFFEO on the all- star team. Pledge JERRY GREENHILL represented ATO on the all-star basketball team with Beta Beta placing second in the actual tournament. The Taus won the intramural softball trophy for the third time to retire it. For the sixth straight year, the all-year high-points trophy went to our sports trophy shelf. Worthy Master GRADY LOONEY was elected vice president of student government; BILL DEAN, Hilltop News business manager; and Pledge BOBBY WINGARD, Lower Division representative. Brother WILLIE GRAVES directed “De Animals Am A- coming” and “Our Jewels” to retire, following a six-year struggle, the Interfraternity Sing Trophy. After retiring the interfraternity scholarship trophy for two consecutive years, ATO was on top scholastically in the spring quarter. Plans for the upcoming year include a project for a new chapter house. Chapter officers are GRADY LOONEY, W.M.; JOE ESTES, W.C.; ROYCE MURREY, W.K.E.; MILTON BOYKIN, W.K.A.; BILL DEAN, W.Sc.; FRED STEPHENS, W.U.; HORTON SMITH, W.S.; HARVEY WINGO, Social Chairman; DAVID KEATHLEY, Alumni Representative; WILLIAM GRAVES, Director of Music. —Richard Branscomb” (PALM, 76.3, Sept. 1956).

“Newly appointed business manager of Atlanta Newspapers, Inc., is George C. Biggers, Jr., Birmingham-Southern & Vanderbilt ‘36, who since 1952 had been advertising director of the organization…” (PALM, 76.4, Dec. 1956).

Pledge class of 1956 at Birmingham-Southern: John W. Ayers, Birmingham; Jim R. Cash, Birmingham; David Drummand Jr., Birmingham; Robert Gunn, Alexander City; William L. Gunn, Alexander City; Bob Howard, Birmingham; Dan Kitchens, Roanoke; John E. Rush, ‘58, Boaz; Charles Self, Birmingham; Joal Shannon, ‘59, Birmingham; Charles Tuggle, Bessemer; Richard K. Ward, ‘59, Birmingham (PALM, 76.4, Dec. 1956).

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Birmingham-Southern ATOs competed in the Interfraternity Sing to take all three of the Birmingham-Southern’s ATO Sweetheart judges’ first place votes and retire the Sing trophy. For this performance of the fraternity for 1956-57 Miss Claire Palmer (second was invited to sing at a special entertainment program at one of Alabama’s leading from left) stands with her fiancé Barry movie theaters. Anderson, the former Sweetheart, Jane M. Timberlake, and her husband Phillip Tim- berlake, former W.M. (PALM, 1956)

Barry H. Anderson, Birmingham-Southern ‘56, married Claire Palmer, Tuscaloosa, June 6. Raymond F. Askew, Birmingham-Southern ‘56, married Ann M. Daugherty, Birmingham, Sept. 1. Orland B. Finch, Birmingham-Southern ‘55, married Mariam Oglesby, Birmingham, Sept. 14. Vincent P. Furio Jr., Birmingham-Southern ‘54, married Peggy L. Massey, Florence, June 20. Larry D. Mosley, Birmingham-Southern ‘58, married Sarah Prosser, St. Simons Island, Ga., July 12. C. Allen O’Dell, Birmingham-Southern ‘57, married Mary Blackburn, Birmingham, April 12 (PALM, 76.4, Dec. 1956).

“The back cover of THE PALM for February 1957 presented a new feature—the appearance of an informal report from WGC Long, headed ‘The Good of the Order.’…In his first message he chatted about the work and the rewards of his new position, called for new efforts and new ideas, and gave his upcoming itinerary…” (Bird, Centennial 196). A regular report/critique on the general condition of the fraternity with this title is probably the inspiration for the GOTO ritual.

“The spring of ‘57 marked a half-century since the then Worthy Grand Chief, Dr. E. P. Lyon, had proposed a day set aside annually to celebrate the Fraternity’s birth. Many great gatherings were held that year: over 225 Taus at Kansas City, the same number at Dallas, 150 at Des Moines, 135 at Houston, 100 or more at Atlanta, Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami, St. Louis, Birmingham and Milwaukee. WGC Long spoke at several of these banquets” (Bird, Centennial 197).

“Congratulations to Sewanee and Province Chief Hubert Garrecht [for winning the Worthy Grand Chief Award]! A tip of the hat, also, to the runners-up: Birmingham-Southern (20.55%

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Above the All-Men’s Average)…. Every single chapter of the following provinces is Above the All-Men’s Average! Province X (Auburn, Birmingham-Southern, Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State)…. With Marietta and Syracuse still unreported (in addition to Drake and Minnesota), cast your eyes at the following list of chapters which were first on their campuses last year: Birmingham-Southern” (PALM, 78.1, Feb. 1958).

“Listed below, by province, is our scholastic record for the past three year [with numbers indicating GPA above or below the school’s All-Men’s Average]: Birmingham-Southern—1954- 55 (12); 1955-56 (16); 1956-57 (21)” (PALM, 78.1, Feb. 1958).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1958—those who were initiated in 1908—includes: Charles W. Rush, BB, now living in Dothan, Al.; Oscar E. Hightower, BB, now living in Geneva, Al.; Lyman C. Brannon, BB, now living in Headland, Al.; Joseph C. Reddoch, BB, now living in Luverne, Al.; Milton C. Smith, BB, now living in Southport, Florida; Collin C. Williams, BB, now living in Corley, Texas (PALM, 78.1, Feb 1958).

“Here’s What Happened on Founders Day: At the Birmingham Congress in December 1906, Worthy Grand Chief Elias P. Lyon recommended a day set aside for celebrating the Fraternity’s st birth. This then is the 51 anniversary of Founders Day. Speeches, singing, reunions, Circle Certificates, Golden and Silver—Down South, Birmingham-Southern actives and Birmingham alumni teamed together to celebrate Founders Day. Province X Alumni Director Chris King was after-dinner speaker. He presented a program patterned after “This Is Your Life” and centered it around the life of Founder Otis Allan Glazebrook. Several awards were made at the Birmingham dinner. Golden Circles were presented to Robert P. McDavid and Wallace A. Shelby, both 1908 initiates at the University of Alabama. Silver Circle awards were presented to Richard M. Donahue, Richard L. Dabney, Alfred P. Pugh, Shaler C. Houser Jr., and Ralph B. Tate. Brother John Putnam was awarded the “outstanding pledge” award. Distinguished guests at the Birmingham dinner included Past Worthy Grand Chief Hugh Martin, Bingham’s School & Cornell ‘94; Dr. Henry King Stanford, president of Birmingham-Southern College; Dean Henry T. Shanks, and Dr. Louis Bumgardner, local IFC adviser” (PALM, 78.2, May 1958).

Birmingham-Southern active and Bir- mingham alumni officers are: (first row, l. to r.) Shaler Houser, alumni secretary; Chris King, Province X Alumni Director; W.M. Jerry Greenhill; Alumni President Bill Spidell; W.K.E. Jim Pigman; (second row) W.S. Harvey Wingo; Blair Cox, alumni vice-president; W.K.A. Bill Gunn; Russell McDonald, alumni treasurer; and W.C. John Martin.

(PALM, 1958)

“For many years ATO, like all major fraternities, had taken a strong stand against drinking in the chapter houses, or serving liquor at Fraternity affairs. Alcoholism had been a growing problem

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“After 28 years with Eli Lilly and Company, E.G. Burchfield, Birmingham-Southern ‘23 has retired. He had been in Lilly’s San Antonio office since 1948” (PALM, 78.2, May 1958).

th Donald W. Englebert, 356 USAF Hosp. (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Air Force at Connally AFB in Texas (PALM, 78.2, May 1958).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 78.3, Sept. 1958: “News from the Campus—Birmingham-Southern Wins Seventh All-Sports Trophy—1957-58 was a successful year. Beta Beta received the Phi Eta Sigma scholarship cup, given to the fraternity with the highest pledge average, and the all-sports trophy. This was the seventh year ATO has received the sports cup. MILTON BOYKIN, HARVEY WINGO and JOHN MARTIN were named to Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. ROBERT WINGARD, WILLIAM GRAVES, RAY MATHIS, and JOHN MARTIN were elected to Omicron Delta Kappa, and BOB GUNN, HENRY GOLSON, and DAN KITCHENS were members of the Triangle club, sophomore service group. Brother Boykin served as president of the student body and also held important positions on the Publication, Elections, and Finance boards. Other Taus in the student government were WALLACE GRADDICK, treasurer, and BOB GUNN, men’s lower division representative to the student organization. JOHN MARTIN edited the campus newspaper while HARVEY WINGO was president of the College Theatre. ELLIOTT WRIGHT was the theatre business manager and a columnist for the paper. LARRY SHARPE and CHARLEY REYNOLDS were respectively president and vice president of the freshman class. RAY MATHIS was vice president of the senior class as well as president of the Methodist Student movement. Brother Mathis will be succeeded in the MSM by HENRY GOLSON. Brother JOHN PUTNAM, who received the “best pledge” award, was chosen “outstanding freshman man” of the College, and JIM SMITH received the Freshman Mathematics prize. BILL GRAVES was president of the College choir and sand one of the leading roles in the winter production of Brigadoon. DAN KITCHENS and FRED STEPHENS were members of the Dorm council. Brother Stephens was also treasurer of the Interfraternity council. ROBERT WINGARD served as vice president of Eta Sigma Phi and treasurer of the Religious council. ELLIOTT WRIGHT and JOHN THOMPSON were officers in this organization also. Pledge ELVIN HILYER served as president of Price Fellowship. Pledge Hilyer is a student government representative. ROBERT WINGARD will be president of the Ministerial association and a member of the Honor council. ELLIOTT WRIGHT will serve as co-editor of Quad, campus literary magazine, and as

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“MEN’S INTRAMURAL SPORTS—This year the ATOs were the team to beat in football, basketball, swimming and volleyball. Jim Pigman [ATO WKOE] was the outstanding individual athlete” (Southern Accent, 1958).

“In this group are those chapters which have been above the AMA [All-Men’s Average for their campus] for at least the last two consecutive years: Birmingham-Southern” (PALM, 78.4, Dec. 1958).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 78.4, Dec. 1958: “PLEGDED— Jerry Abbett, Alexander City; Larry Barksdale, ‘61, Dothan; George Dunbar, Chattanooga, Tenn.; David Franks, Birmingham; Van Gamble, ‘60, Birmingham; Hank Gary, Roanoke; David Head, Birmingham; William Hicks, Fairfield; Larry Hinds, Montgomery; Tommy Holbrooks, Birmingham; Jerry Hollis, Troy; Tibby King, Birmingham; Robert Kontzen, Birmingham; Cecil Parks, ‘60, Birmingham; Billy Patton, Irondale; Andy Pickrell, ‘61, Cordova; Edward Putnam, Birmingham; Grady Richardson, ‘61, Birmingham; Pete Searcy, Fairfield; Ben Sexton, Birmingham; Max Skidmore, ‘60, Priceville; Andrew Smith, Birmingham; Howard Smith, Birmingham; Henry K. Stanford Jr., Birmingham; C.W. Thigpin, Birmingham; George Thomason, Talladega; Gary Wallace, ‘61, Birmingham; Clifford Vaughn, Decatur. MARRIED—Joes Estes, ‘58, to Sallie Sibley, June 8….Horton Smith, ‘58, to Linda Burnett, June 21….Robert Wingard, ‘59, to Nancy Wheatley, Aug. 2” (PALM, 78.4, Dec. 1958).

BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN’S fall pledge class included (first row, l. to r.) Larry Barks- dale, David Franks, Cecil Parks, Andy Smith, Bill Patton, George Dunbar, George Thomason, Henry Stanford; (second row) C.W. Thigpen, Pete Searcy, Jerry Hollis, Tommy Holbrooks, Jerry Abbett, Jimmy Vaughn, Howard Smith, Grady Richardson; (third row) Ed Putnam, Van Gamble, Bill Hicks, Gary Wallace, Larry Hinds, Hank Gary, David Head, Andy Pickrell, Bob Kontzen. (PALM, 1958)

David E. Daniel, col., Qtrs. 614-C (Birmingham-Southern) is serving the Air Force at Maxwell AFB in Alabama “PALM, 78.4, Dec. 1958).

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Ferd. S. McCord, Birmingham-Southern, was born 1876 and initiated 1896. He died Aug. 19, 1958 (PALM, 78.4, Dec. 1958).

“A year ago Alpha Tau Omega had as many campus FIRSTS as the next two fraternities. With standings unknown on 17 campuses, cast your eye on the campus FIRSTS for 1957-58 that are now known: Birmingham-Southern…. All of the chapters in five provinces were above the AMA for 1957-58 and here they are: Province X (Auburn, Birmingham-Southern, Alabama, Mississippi, and Mississippi State) Provinces X and XI are repeaters. Congratulations! A tip of the hate, too, to the runners-up [for the Worthy Grand Chief Award] who passed both Sewanee and Southwestern, our perennial champions, although both were better than 15% above: Birmingham-Southern (24.85% above the A.M.A.)” (PALM, 79.1, Feb. 1959).

“Listed below, by province, is our scholastic record for the past three year [with numbers indicating GPA above or below the school’s All-Men’s Average]: Birmingham-Southern—1955- 56 (16); 1956-57 (21); 1957-58 (24)” (PALM, 79.1, Feb. 1959).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1959—those who were initiated in 1909—includes: Ellis B. Calhoun, Birmingham-Southern, now living in Grove Hill (PALM, 79.1, Feb. 1959).

Walter Turner, Birmingham-Southern, was born 1874 and initiated 1892. He died Aug. 23, 1958 (PALM, 79.1, Feb. 1959).

“Founders Day 1959: BIRMINGHAM—Local alumni and Birmingham-Southern actives met for a dinner and evening of fellowship highlighted by an address by Worthy Grand Chief Gerald E. Johnson on February 14. Ground was broken for Beta Beta’s new $30,000 house scheduled to be ready by summer quarter. Taking part in the ground-breaking ceremonies were…Worthy Master John Earl Reaves, Past Birmingham Alumni Association President Blair Cox, Elton B. Stephens, and W.G.C. Long” (PALM, 79.2, May 1959).

Spade work at Birmingham

(PALM, 1959)

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(PALM, 1959)

“Help Week: Birmingham-Southern Taus tackled two projects: a Christmas party for crippled children and work at the Mercy Home orphanage” (PALM, 79.2, May 1959).

(PALM, 1959)

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 79.3, Sept. 1959: “New officers are HENRY GOLSON, W.M.; CHARLES REYNOLDS, W.C.; BOB HOWARD, W.K.E.; BOB GUNN, W.S.; CHARLES STORRS, W.K.A.; LARRY SHARPE, W.U.; NELSON LACEY, W.S.; and GEORGE THOMASON, PALM Reporter. In the campus elections for the next year, Nelson Lacey was elected treasurer of the Student Government association. Charles Reynolds, Howard Smith, and Mason Morris were elected representatives to the Student legislature, and Jim Smith was elected business manager of the Hilltop News. John Martin served as president of the senior class; George Thomason, president of the freshman class, and Henry Stanford, treasurer of the freshman class. Bob Wingard served as president of the Ministerial association with Brothers Johnson, Kitchens, and Hilyer as fellow officers. W.M. Golson was president of the Methodist Student movement and was elected state president of this organization. Bill Gunn was president of the youth department of the college church, McCoy Methodist. Brothers Martin, Wingard, Wright, and Thomason were elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa; Martin, Wingard, Thomason, Johnson, Hilyer, and Golson were listed among the members of Omicron Delta Kappa; and Martin, Wingard, and Wright were chosen to be listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. ATO was well represented on campus student publications. Wight was managing editor of the Hilltop News, while Jim Smith was the Greek editor; John Martin, sports editor; Bob Gunn, religious editor; and Joe McCain, photographer. Wright was co-editor of Quad literary magazine and Smith was business manager. For his work on publications, Brother Wright received the award for the outstanding journalism student at the college. In varsity intramurals, both team and individuals, ATO remained on top this year. The chapter received the all-sports trophy for the ninth consecutive year. ATO teams won the tournaments in football, basketball, swimming, volleyball, and the softball playoffs. Nine brothers were named to all-star teams, and ten more were on second teams or received honorable mention. In varsity sports John Thompson was the center on the Panther basketball team; Wingard, Bryant, Lacey, H. Smith, and A. Smith were on the tennis team, and Taus John Putnam, Rodger Head, Elvin Hilyer, Dan Kitchens, and Howard Smith were members of the wrestling team. Bob Gay was the captain of the wrestling team. In the early spring, Beta Beta had a ground-breaking ceremony for the new chapter house. Present were Worthy Grand Chief Johnson and Executive Secretary Daniels; Chief of Province Bramlett, Alumni Association President Chris King. —George G. Thomason” (PALM, 79.3, Sept. 1959).

“Jim Atkins, Birmingham-Southern ‘54, news director of WBRC-TV, Birmingham, has received an Associated Press “Superior Features” award, presented during the Alabama AP Broadcasters Association meeting in Tuscaloosa. The award was made for a 30-minute year-end news roundup which Atkins wrote and produced” (PALM, 79.4, Dec. 1959).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 79.4, Dec. 1959: “PLEDGED— Herbert Coachman, ‘62, Birmingham; Ernest Dobbs, Sheffield; Hugh Franklin, Birmingham; Cooper French, Graceville, Fla.; Chad Jones, Birmingham; John Mackin, Selma; James Mareno, ‘61, Birmingham; Lamar Odom, Lafayette; Paul Pace, Evergreen; Richard Stetson, ‘62, Lawrence Park, Pa.; Crawford Taylor, Anniston; John Woltersdorf, Birmingham” (PALM, 79.4, Dec. 1959).

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BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN pledges practice ATO songs. Standing (l. to r.) Paul Pace, John Mackin, Ernest Dobbs, Jim Moreno, Crawford Taylor, Hugh Franklin, Dick Stetson, Lamar Odom, John Wottersdorf. Chad Jones is seated; Cooper French, at the piano, leads the singing.

(PALM, 1959)

On January 18, 1957, the Kappa Alpha Order, friendly rivals to ATO, were preparing to celebrate the birthday of Robert E. Lee, which was actually January 19. Each year during the time of this celebration, the KA’s would hoist high their Confederate flag outside their chapter house and challenge the ATO’s to take it down, often greasing the flag pole or egging those who approached it. In 1957, the ATO’s had a special prank planned in order to triumph over the KA’s. Lee’s birthday was on the 19, which was a Saturday that year. Since many students would be off campus for the weekend, the ATO’s chose the date of the 18, a Friday. Brother Allen O’Dell prepared flaming arrows while another ATO used the bow of O’Dell’s brother to shoot the arrows at the flag. The flag eventually caught on fire, and although no real harm was done and both parties understood the friendly prank, word soon spread across campus, and eventually, across the nation. The American Daughters of the Confederacy grew incredibly upset about the situation. A magazine article was released in TIME Magazine, and the Beta Beta Chapter received severe rebukes from various officials, including personal letters from President Eisenhower himself. This information is courtesy of Allen O’Dell.

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Dr. John A. Krout, Michigan ‘18, featured speaker at the Golden Anniversary Banquet for the th 50 anniversary of the National Interfraternity Council in New York in 1959 [Therefore, IFC nationally began in 1909]: “College fraternity members gain an insight into the responsibilities that can never be separated from the privileges of self-government. They sense how powerful voluntary associations can be in achieving a common objective. Administrative processes involved in managing a chapter house, within a balanced budget, are not to be learned from a treatise on political science. The fraternity system gives experience in reconciling local autonomy with central authority. The initiate learns first-hand about the boundary lines which separate the powers of the chapter from such controls as the national organization may constitutionally exercise. The chance to learn about these matters first-hand in the Fraternity pattern cannot be overestimated” (Bird, Centennial 228).

Worthy Grand Chief Oberly in his 1959 “State of the Fraternity” message: “We should seek unity rather than division; act with confidence, rather than live in the shadow of a doubt; preserve our steadfastness of purpose rather than waver in our decisions; approach today’s problems with faith rather than fear, and demonstrate our love for Alpha Tau Omega rather than hate for our fellow men” (Bird, Centennial 281).

Who’s Who in Alpha Tau Omega in the 1950’s: Guy E. Snavely Jr., Birmingham-Southern, Executive Secretary, Pickett and Hatcher Educational Fund; Hugh Martin, Bingham’s School, designer of college buildings at University of Alabama and Birmingham Southern College; Robert R. Jones, Birmingham-Southern, Founder and President of Bob Jones College; Albert L. Fairley Jr., Birmingham-Southern, executive vice president, Dominion Steel & Coal Corp., Montreal (PALM, 79.3, Sept. 1959).

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Larry D. Striplin Jr.

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Frank Dawson: ATO; Ministerial Assoc. James Gray: ATO Hubert Theron Montgomery: ATO

Joe Estes: ATO, Sec of Ministerial Assoc.; William Dean: Secretary of ATO Fred Swank: ATO Eta Sigma Phi; ODK MSM; Southern Accent photographer

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David S. Bishop: ATO; Coll. Theater Grady Looney: V.P. of ATO; Richard Branscomb: ATO; MSM Ministerial Assoc.; Hilltop News; Southern Accent; IFC; MSM; ODK; Who’s Who

James W. Colvert: ATO Horton Smith: ATO; Royce Murray: Treas. of ATO; American Chem. Society; American Chem. Society; ODK; Tri. Club Phi Eta Sigma

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James Pigman—B’hm; Math Keith Calvert—Decatur; Psych. Ray Mathis—Boaz; History Treas. of ATO; Canterbury Club; ATO ATO; MSM, Pres.; German Club; V-Tennis; Football, Basketball, Softball, Swimming; V-Pres. of Senior Class and Individ. IM; Top Individ. Athlete; Ping-pong and Paddleball Champ; Sports reporter for Hilltop News; Treas. for Theta Sigma Lambda

William L. Graves—B’hm; Sociology Clinton Allen O’Dell—B’hm; Chem. Fred Stephens—Trussville; Chemistry ATO; Pres. of Choir; Softball; ATO; American Chem. Soc.; ATO; Treas. of IFC; V.P. of “Brigadoon” Al. Chess Fed.; Football, Dorm Council; Tri. Club; Volleyball, Softball and V-Swimming; Football, Softball, Individ. IM Volleyball, Basketball

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Milton Lee Boykin—Selma; Psych. Fred Swank—Somerset, Penn.; Psych. Harvey Wingo—B’hm; English ATO; Pres. of Tri. Club; Treas. of ATO; Ministerial Assoc. ATO, Sec.; Coll. Theatre, Pres.; Galileans; V-Tennis; Basketball and Canterbury Club, Pres.; Religious Individ. IM; One of Top 10 IM Hi-Pt. Men; Council; Student Life Committee; Publications Board; Pres. of Student Body; ODK, Pres.; Phi Eta Sigma; V.P. of Honor Council; Student Life Alpha Psi Omega; Phi Sigma Committee; V.P. of Eta Sigma Phi; Iota; “Pender Heart,” Stage Mgr.; Sec. of Phi Eta Sigma; ODK; Who’s Who; “Dial M for Murder,” Stage Mgr.; Chrmn. of Finance Board; MSM Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities

Walter Dennis Boyd—B’hm; Business Admin. Robert Rogers—B’hm; Biology Edwin Rush Jr.—Boaz; Math ATO; Toreadors ATO ATO

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Fancy side-stepping by Jerry Greenhill of the championship ATO football team helps to beat the TX team.

ALTHOUGH THE Pikes fought hard to win, the ATOs maintained their eight-year monopoly on the intramural swimming trophy.

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The intramural court is the site for an exciting basketball game between TX-Bs and ATO-Bs.

HIGH POINT athlete, Jim Pigman, copped badminton championship from John Martin.

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The ATO football champions score one of their winning touchdowns.

John Edwin Rush, Jr.—Boaz; John William Schou—B’hm; Music John Thompson—Decatur; Greek Math & Physics ATO ATO; Eta Sigma Phi; Tri. Club; ATO, Treas.; Theta Sigma Lambda; MSM; Ministerial Assoc.; Theta Chi Delta; MSM Varsity Basketball, Intramurals

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Robert Hunt Howard—Montgomery; Michael B. Gilliland—Goodwater; Biology Walter T. Gilmer— History ATO; German Club; Intramurals; Birmingham; Business Adm. ATO, Worthy Keeper of the Annals Dorm Council, Proctor ATO; Varsity Swimming; MSM, Contacts Chairman; Ministerial Intramurals Assoc.; Price Fellowship

John Earl Reeves—B’hm; Bio. Charles Noel Carney—B’hm; Bio. E.C. Johnson, Jr.—Huntsville; History Pres. of ATO; IM’s; MSM ATO; Phi Eta Sigma; Choir ATO; ODK; Eta Sigma Phi; Tri. Club, College Theater, Business Mgr.; Ministerial Assoc.

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Robert E. Wingard— Elliot Wright—B’hm; Montgomery; English History ATO, Vice-President; ATO; Alpha Psi Phi Eta Sigma; Eta Omega; Eta Sigma Phi, Sigma Phi; ODK; Treasurer; MSM; Ministerial Assoc., Ministerial Assoc.; President; College Theater, Intramurals; Honor Business Mgr.; Council; MSM; Galatians; Hilltop Executive News, Managing Council, Lower Editor; Student Division Rep.; Who’s Handbook, Editor; Who in Student Literary Mag., American Colleges and Editor; Who’s Who in Universities American Colleges and Universities

John Andrew Martin— Frederick J. Zylman— B’hm; Bio. B’hm; Philosophy ATO, Vice-President; ATO ODK; Phi Eta Sigma, Phi Sigma Iota; Varsity Swimming; Intramurals; Best All- Round Athlete; Hilltop News, Editor; B.S.U., Treasurer, Vice- President, President; Editor of the State B.S.U. Paper; Who’s Who in American Colleges; Le Circle Francais

Robert E. Bryant, Jr.—B’hm; Bio. Jerry F. Greenhill—Red Bay; Business Adm. William Lowell Gunn— ATO; Phi Chi Delta; Intramurals; ATO, President; Intramurals Alexander City; History Varsity Tennis ATO, Secretary; Interfraternity Council, Secretary; MSM; Intramurals

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In spite of stiff SAE and Theta Chi competition the ATO’s won the swim trophy for the ninth time.

Bobby Wingard, ATO—Paddleball Champion

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Filled with school “spirit”, the ATO quartet sings our Alma Mater—Hillbilly style.

Wallace Graddick of the ATO basketball champions scores a point against the SAE’s.

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The 1960’s: ATO Celebrates its One Hundredth Anniversary

In 1960, a fraternity house for the Beta Beta Chapter was completed on the campus of BSC at 833 Greensboro Road along Frat Row (Southern Accent, 1960). This Row and this House are currently known as the “Old Row” and “Old House,” and use of them stopped in 2003.

“This year saw the beginning of ‘Southern’s ten-year expansion program. The first steps were the razing of old North Hall, an addition to Hanson, new apartments for married students, the razing of Munger Bowl Stadium, and the clearing of a new athletic field” (Southern Accent, 1961).

Concerning the Zeta Epsilon ATΩ chapter at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida: “A decline in numbers seriously threatened its existence…In the fall of 1963 the arrival of a remarkable ATO, John Putnam, Birmingham-Southern ‘60, for graduate work touched off a revival, as will be told later” (Bird, Centennial 160).

Concerning the Zeta Epsilon ATO chapter at the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida: “after a gallant start in 1952 had been struggling against the competition of many older, well entrenched fraternities. At the start of the 1963-64 college year membership had dropped to nine; with no house, meetings were being held in the home of Alumni Adviser Harold Wittling. Then an amazing blind ATO, John Putnam, Birmingham-Southern ‘61, arrived to do graduate work. From ‘Outstanding Freshman Student’ to rush chairman and pledge trainer for three years, John had become senior class president and ‘Mr. Hilltopper’ (outstanding male student), and a three- year Varsity wrestling letterman. Going to Ole Miss for his master’s he organized the best rush that chapter ever held. Made interim chapter adviser at Miami, John inspired the small group to take a positive attitude. With WM Alberto Gross, a Cuban native who displayed great zeal and leadership, the chapter pledged and initiated 12 men, captured the lion’s share of IFC Week trophies and moved into a strong position on campus. THE PALM story about this upsurge was entitled ‘New Hurricane Hits Miami!’” (Bird, Centennial 274).

It was in the year of 1963 that the Beta Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity held its first annual Viking Party, or as it was commonly called, “Vike.” This party quickly became the largest and most popular annual party held by any single organization on the Birmingham- Southern College campus. It also spread to countless other chapters across the Southeastern United States and across the country. Details concerning the party itself are available in the section titled “The End of an Era: Shipwreck Replaces Vike” near the end of this work.

“When Southern University moved to Birmingham in 1918, the city was young and small. The people who moved the college put it on a stony hump on Enon Ridge, the northern rim of Jones Valley. Town was, the brochure said, only an eight to ten minute bicycle ride away, and the campus only 1¼ miles from the city limit. In the valley, down where Third Avenue runs now, was a little creek and a sizable swamp, and Five Points West was still a dahlia nursery, but over to the west of the college, the steel mills were already industriously spewing smoke and fumes into a graying sky…” (Southern Accent, 1964).

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“…We would have you remember watching the rioters and riot-watchers gather in the afternoon, the great hairy cops with carbines and shotguns, the smell of old pine shacks burning in the night down in the black ghetto” (Southern Accent, 1964).

“In speaking of the past year and how it affected students on this campus, there is no way to omit November 22, 1963, and really, little use to remind you that on that day two bullets struck and blew away most of John Kennedy’s head. Surely, you must remember exactly where you were and what you were doing when you heard of the shooting and, later, of the death. It was during finals, and most of us spent the whole weekend watching the reports and funeral on television, knowing of the necessity for study, but yielding to the greater demand of seeing in the formalized grief of John Kennedy’s funeral the true meaning of being an American, and seeing this more clearly than Americans have seen since World War II. These two events, the Negro Revolution and the assassination, formed the backdrop upon which we played our individual lives” (Southern Accent, 1964).

“On Saturday morning [at the 1964 Congress on Grand Bahama Island] Congress met as a Committee of the Whole to hear the report of the Special Committee on Membership. Its report definitely called for the elimination of the words ‘white’ and ‘Christian’ from the Constitutional requirements, while emphasizing the qualifications of good scholarship and high moral standards. These points were covered by a revision of the opening statement in the Preamble to the Constitution, to read: ‘Whereas the cultivation of friendship, and the promotion of morality and Christianity stand prominently among the duties of mankind…’” Both the preamble and the revisions proposed by the Special Committee’s report were adopted (Bird, Centennial 276-77). In 1964, ATO tied for second place along with the Independent Team and KA in Intramural st nd rd football. The rankings for Intramural volleyball were as follows: 1 —ATO; 2 —SAE; 3 — th Faculty; 4 —KA (Southern Accent, 1964).

1965 was the year in which African-American students were first allowed admission to BSC (Southern Accent, 1965).

Also in 1965, ATO played in the championship match in Intramural volleyball: “The championship match between SAE ‘A’ and ATO ‘A’ was a sports thriller ending in a score of 19-17 in favor of the SAE’s” (Southern Accent, 1965).

“Alpha Tau Omega was born in ‘The Old Dominion’ (Virginia). So it was most appropriate that the last chapter before the Centennial should be chartered at Old Dominion College, formerly the Norfolk branch of William and Mary. Co-Installing Officers were Province VI Chief Robert B. Cox, dean of men at Duke, and Paul Dowling, Birmingham-Southern ‘64, who had transferred to Old Dominion and was a prime factor in guiding the local into the Fraternity.” The chapter, Virginia Zeta Tau, was founded on May 8, 1965 (Bird, Centennial 290-91).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 85.1, Feb.-March 1965: “Beta Beta Chapter, in conjunction with the Birmingham Alumni Association, held its Centennial Banquet, Jan. 9, at the Parliament House here in Birmingham, Alabama. Harry Bird, PALM Editor, was our keynote speaker. Brother bird spoke of the rich traditions of Alpha Tau Omega and the role that Birmingham played in its early development. Chris King, graduate of

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Mississippi State University, and now Alumni Director of Province X, was presented a plaque for his outstanding service to Alpha Tau Omega. Other guests were Province Chief Amos Burns, delegations from Alabama, headed by W.M. Cruse Braswell and from Mississippi, headed by W.M. Dale Duckworth. On Centennial Sunday we attended Trinity Methodist Church, where Dr. Ed Kimbrough, Alabama, is the pastor. Pledge Don Lundy led our volleyball ‘A’ team to a league championship in regular season play and a second place in the school championship play- off. Elected to the All-Star Team were Lundy, Bruce Tully, and Jim Clark. ATO is well represented on the Varsity basketball team with actives Walter Donaldson and Butch Wessell, and freshmen Don Lundy, Jim Humphries, and Mike Parker. Lundy averages fifteen points per game as guard and Humphries has played outstandingly as the other guard. Dale Lovett has been tapped into OΔK, of which W.M. Dan Hixon is president. John Putnam, president of the Birmingham Alumni Association, has been named Director of Publicity for Athens College in Athens, Alabama. —Jim Clark” (PALM, 85.1, Feb.-March 1965).

IN THE DRINK goes Walter Donaldson at B’HAM CAN FIELD ENTIRE CAGE TEAM. Five Birmingham-Southern where the ATO’s ATO basketball players on Varsity squad dunking boot took the May Day booth are: front row, Walter Donaldson, Jim competition for third consecutive year. Humphreys; back, Butc Wessel, Mike Parker, and Don Lundy. Ray Cooper is senior manager of the team (at right). (PALM, 1965; PALM, 1966)

The list of Golden Circlers for 1965—those who were initiated in 1915—includes: Charles H. Owens, Jr., BB, now living in Hurtsboro, Al.; Charles B. Galloway, BB, now living in Mobile, Al.; Felix M. Turnispeed, Sr., BB, now living in Montgomery, Al.; Walter G. Dugger, BB, now living in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (PALM, 85.1, Feb.-March 1965).

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“Three to Receive Diamond Circle: In addition to the 329 Alpha Taus eligible to receive their Golden Circle for completing a half century of membership, the Fraternity has three living Brothers initiated in 1890, who will accept the Diamond Circle certificates symbolizing 75 years in ATO. They are: Frank Ewing, Adrian, now living at the Gulf Stream Hotel in Lake Worth, Fla.; John H. Jones, Georgia Tech, now living at 351 Glenwood Drive in Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Dr. Joseph E. Morris, Birmingham-Southern, now living at 713 South Spring Street in Talladega, Ala. Brother Morris is a former Methodist minister who retired only in 1958, at the age of 85, after having occupied pulpits in Alabama for nearly 60 years. He attended Southern University at Greensboro, Ala., which was consolidated with Birmingham College in 1918. He has an ATO son, Joseph M. Morris, Birmingham-Southern ‘30, living in Indianapolis (PALM, 85.1, Feb.-March 1965).

As of May 1965, the five-year academic standing for the Beta Beta Chapter, according to the chapter’s GPA above or below the campus’s All-Men’s Average, stood as follows: 1959-60 (11.76); 1960-61 (15.06); 1961-62 (1.96); 1962-63 (-1.60); and 1963-64 (4.08) (PALM, 85.2, May 1965).

William F. Ormand, Birmingham-Southern, was born in 1878 and initiated in 1895. He died Dec. 26 1964 (PALM, 85.2, May 1965).

“Dr. George Stoves, Birmingham-Southern ‘97, dean of Methodist ministers in Middle Tennessee, died March 21 in Nashville. He was 94, and had served churches in Tennessee, Georgia, and Alabama from 1900 to 1942, when he retired” (PALM, 85.2, May 1965).

“A goal of $350,000 was set to complete the General Headquarters at Champaign, for which ground had been broken July 20, 1964. The suggestion was made that alumni give or pledge at least $100—”one dollar for each year of the Fraternity.” Such contributions were designated as ATO CENTURIONS. Listed herewith are all Brothers who have made a gift to the Centennial Building Fund between last October and the press time of this issue—July 22, 1965: Bailey, J.S. Jr., Bhm. So.; Fairley, A.L. Jr., Bhm. So.; Plant, W.F. Jr., Bhm. So. (PALM, 85.3, Sept. 1965).

“More General Headquarters Contributors: Cain, C.W. Jr., Bhm. So.; Engdahl, C.C., Bhm. So. Gay, T.O., Bhm. So.; Guice, J. I., Bhm. So.; Knox, D.H., Bhm. So.; Scruggs, R.T., Bhm. So.; Snuggs, H.M., Bhm. So. (PALM, 85.4, Dec. 1965).

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(Bird, Centennial)

HEADQUARTERS OF FRIENDSHIP Floodlighted by night, busy by day in service to 135 chapters and over 75,000 living Brothhers—this is the General Headquarters of Alpha Tau Omega. Here are its priceless annals, its membership records, its focal point for chapter and alumni activities. Here is a national fraternity building every ATO can view with pride, where a warm welcome always waits. Yet with all its beauty and efficiency it is but a symbol of great ideals that live today, as for over a century, in the heart of each true wearer of the Maltese Cross.

“The tradition of Alpha Tau Omega began in Richmond one hundred years ago. There the Founders established this Fraternity in the ashes of the Confederacy, to be a brotherhood that would know no North, no South, no East, no West—with a bond as strong as right itself and as lasting as humanity….What a tradition to cherish! It has become an inspiration to thousands who have worn the Maltese Cross. All that is finest and deepest in life is kindred to our tradition. He who contributes to it finds a faith and a spirit in living that will be here to the end of time.”

BRONZE PLAQUE COMMEMORATING CENTENNIAL, placed at site of Glazebrook family home in Richmond, Va., where first meeting was held Sept. 11, 1865. Site, 100 years later, is no longer residential but occupied by commercial building.

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 85.3, Sept. 1965: “Five campus organizations are headed by ATOs—Ray Cooper, AKΨ; Jim Clark, IFC; Glen Wilcoxson, AΦΩ; Bob Sheehan, Newman Club; and David Hutto, the Arts Students League. Butch Wessel is vice pres. of HΣΦ with Jack Sellers and Robert Small vice pres. and treas. of the Circle K Club. Bob Clem is treas. of the Student Government Association and Mike Peacock is a representative. Norton Dill, Mike Harper, Jack Sellers, and Mike Peacock are the newest initiates of the Triangle Club, sophomore honorary. The Southern Singers include Ray Cooper, Bob Clem, Jack Sellers, Norton Dill, and Mike Newsome while Brother Cooper is also a member of the Touring Choir. Varsity cagers are Walter Donaldson, Butch Wessel, Mike Parker, Jim Humphreys, and Don Lundy, the latter also on the tennis squad. Doug Braewell and Billy Motes are Varsity golfers. Intramural All-Star picks were: football—Jim Clark; softball—Bruce Tully, Mike Harper, and David Hutto; basketball—Hutto; volleyball—Don Lundy, Clark, and Tully; and swimming— Glen Wilcoxson. WGC H. Sherman Oberly was the speaker for the Founders Day banquet; Adlaide Ashley, KΔ, was selected as the “ATO Sweetheart” at the Winter Dance. Chapter officers are: Bruce Tully, W.M.; Bob Clem, W.C.; Bob Sheehan, W.Sc.; Jim Clark, W.K.A.; Ray Cooper, W.K.E.; Louis Smith, W.S.; and Walter Donaldson, W.U. —Jack Sellers” (PALM, 85.3, Sept. 1965).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 85.4, Dec. 1965: “PLEDGED— Mike Alverson, Gulf Shores; Robert Carr, Anniston; Alan Kranz, Selma; David Lawrence, Birmingham; Mark Livingston, Albertville; Alan McWhorter, Decatur; Billy Moates ‘68, Enterprise; Bill Payne ‘67, Birmingham; Terry Raycraft, Mobile; Dowd Ritter, Birmingham; Gid Wade, Nashville, Tenn; John Payne Wilson, Grove Hill. MARRIED—Walter Donaldson ‘67, to Carol Dowdy, Birmingham, April” (PALM, 85.4, Dec. 1965).

(PALM, 1965)

“Atkins Co-Authors Newsfilm Manual: Jim Atkins Jr., Birmingham-Southern ‘54, has done just about everything in the field of communications, from editing the largest weekly in Alabama to PR work for milk, the American Trucking Association and the AFL-CIO. He writes comic skits for Jackie Vernon, Ed Sullivan and the Tonight Show; serious articles for magazines ranging from New Republic to Master Detective. But his great enthusiasm is TV newsfilm and features.

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He sees no reason why they should be humdrum when even the simplest event can be charged with human drama. He has been a free-lance newsfilm correspondent for CBS, NBC, and Movie- tone News for 10 years and proved his point. With Leo Willette of WWL-TV, New Orleans, he has written a comprehensive book on this action-packed field: Filming TV News and Documentaries, just published by American Photographic Book Publishing Co. Don’t let the lumbering title fool you. There’s excitement, instruction, inspiration in every line. Brother Atkins says that journalism and radio-television instructors at major colleges everywhere are considering using it as a textbook. It’s hard to imagine how they could do otherwise. Incidentally, for young men who read FTVN&D and say “That’s for me!” there’s even a chapter on to get a job in TV” (PALM, 86.1, March 1966).

“Jim Atkins, Birmingham-Southern ‘54, co-author of Filming TV News and Documentaries, is one of the founders of the Laff Book Club, providing information on books of humor” (PALM, 86.3, Sept. 1966).

“A Washington public relations writer and Coronet magazine humor editor, Jim Atkins, Birmingham-Southern ‘54, has finished a book, The Barnabas Collins Vampire Joke Book for Paperback Library. He is also author of Filming TV News and Documentaries” (PALM, 88.4, Dec. 1968).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1966—those who were initiated in 1916—includes: Newton R. Elliott, B’hm.-So., now living in Birmingham, Al.; Joseph H. Owens, B’hm.-So., now living inHurtsboro, Al.; Harry L. Lazenby, B’hm.-So., now living in Montgomery, Al.; Charles P. Storrs, B’hm.-So., now living in Wetumpka, Al.; Keener C. Frazer, B’hm.-So., now living in Chapel Hill, North Carolina; Richard A. Wall, B’hm.-So., now living in Athens, Tennessee (PALM, 86.1, March 1966).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 86.1, March 1966: “Highlighting the last 1965 campus honors, W.M. Bruce Tully and W.C. Bob Clem were initiated into OΔK. Jim Clark retired as president of IFC for 1965. Bill Ernest was named sports editor for the annual. In the Mr. Hilltopper contest our candidate is Doug Braswell. Taus representing campus sororities are Brother Jim Clark, ZTA, and David Hutto, ΠBΦ. The Taus at Southern, scholarship wise, came out with 38 per cent of the active Brothers making above a 3.0 and 98 per cent making above a 2.0; 75 per cent of the pledge class made their grades. Two ATOs were named to the Intramural Football All-Stars: Mike Harper and Terry Raycraft. The ATO volleyball team won the championship for 1965 with an 8-0 record. Don Lundy slammed the winning point the Taus needed to win the intramural championship. On the team were Jim Clark, Don Lundy, Mike Parker, Bruce Tully, Walter Donaldson, and Bill Halbrooks. The first th four made the All-Stars. The Taus scored 240 points to 62 by all opposing teams. This is the 14 ATO volleyball title in the last 15 years. As a part of our service project this year we are in the process of adopting a child overseas though the Christian Children’s Fund. We can keep this kind of project for year and though letters get to know our adopted boy and send him things he needs. The Taus are well represented on the Varsity basketball team this year with Jim Humphreys and Don Lundy on the starting squad and Butch Wessel, Walter Donaldson, and Mike Parker on the back-up squad. Ray Cooper, W.K.E., is the senior manager for the Varsity team. —Jack Sellers” (PALM, 86.1, March 1966).

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As of May 1966, the five-year academic standing for the Beta Beta Chapter, according to the chapter’s GPA above or below the campus’s All-Men’s Average, stood as follows: 1960-61 (15.06); 1961-62 (1.96); 1962-63 (-1.60); 1963-64 (4.08); and 1964-65 (-1.33) (PALM, 86.2, May 1966).

“Founders Day and Province Conclaves: BIRMINGHAM-SOUTHERN—The Founders Day banquet, sponsored jointly by the undergraduate chapter and the alumni association, was held April 7 at the Relay House. A main topic of discussion was the plan for an addition to the chapter house” (PALM, 86.2, May 1966).

“Raymond D. Hurlbert, Birmingham-Southern ‘24, is general manager for the Alabama Educational Television Commission, which operates the first and largest educational television network in the nation” (PALM, 86.2, May 1966).

Spring pledge class of 1966 at Birmingham-Southern: “PLEDGED—Carlton King, Montgomery” (PALM, 86.2, May 1966).

Concerning the 1966 Stew Daniels Congress at Mackinac Island, Michigan and the revisions made to the Constitution regarding Membership: “Alpha Tau Omega does not discriminate in its membership requirements against any person on the basis of race, color, creed or national origin; its individual chapters are free to select members without regard to race, color, creed or national origin, and without interference on these grounds, directly or indirectly, from any source outside the local undergraduate chapter” (Bird, Centennial 312).

“Smoke Rings from the Editor’s Stogie…What’s Behind the Badge? Five Greek letters and five symbols appear on the face of the Alpha Tau Omega badge: two Alphas, two Omegas, a Tau; a crescent, three stars, a pair of clasped hands. They have remained unchanged for 101 years. The precise meanings are known only to our initiates. But it is not secret that the design was inspired by the monograms first written on the walls of the catacombs. The Tau, Greek version of the Cross, subjoined by Alpha and Omega, is the ancient insigne of the Church. It clearly indicates the Christian nature of our Fraternity. Since early times the crescent moon has expressed hope reborn; the stars, man’s eternal quest for the ideal. These comprise the ATO pledge button. With the clasped hands on the badge they offer a brotherhood based on mutual respect and high standards of conduct. So what is ON the badge of Alpha Tau Omega suggests what is BEHIND it. This badge is also the key to a small world—a friendly group, personally interested in one another, a bulwark against the impersonal pressures of crowded classrooms and computerized controls. As Dean Collier of Ball State says: ‘The college fraternity enables the student to retain his individuality in a close-knit organization where he can prepare himself for the best in living today.’ In Alpha Tau Omega each of our 125 active chapters is indeed close-knit. But beyond this group are nearly 100,000 other Alpha Taus, ready to welcome their Brothers from whatever campus they come. That, briefly, is part of what’s behind the badge of ATO. To wear it and to share in this experience is to add new breadth, new depth to your years in college…and to all the years that follow. —Harry L. Bird” (PALM, 86.3, Sept. 1966).

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B.M.O.C.’s at Birmingham-Southern, Ray Cooper (left), ’66, and Bob Clem, ’67, set leadership-scholarship pace. Twice W.K.E. and Chapter Service Award winner, Ray was Circle K and AKΨ president, Varsity basketball manager-statis- tician, campus newspaper staffer, and Spanish Club and Methodist Student Movement member. Bob is Student Gov- ernment Association president and has served as SGA treasurer, ΦHΣ president, and Beta Beta chapter’s Worthy Chap- lain. He is also OΔK, HΣΦ, and Circle K.

(PALM, 1966)

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern College to the ATO PALM, 86.3, Sept. 1966: “Beta Beta chapter ranked first scholastically for winter quarter with a 2.6 overall average. In intramurals ATO won the volleyball championship and the swim meet. Birmingham-Southern’s Varsity basketball team had a winning season aided by Taus Don Lundy, Walter Donaldson, Butch Wessel, Mike Parker, and Jim Humphries. Bruce Tully was elected projects chairman of the senior class and Mark Livingston vice president of the freshman class. Carlton King was chosen for membership in the Triangle Club, a sophomore scholarship, leadership, and service honorary. Previous Triangle Club members include Ray Cooper and Bob Clem. —Mike Peacock” (PALM, 86.3, Sept. 1966).

[Although the following article does not specifically include any alumni from the Beta Beta Chapter, this involves Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama and thus should be an interesting bit of information.] “The former Howard College of Birmingham honors Frank Samford, Auburn ‘14, becoming The University Named for a Great ATO: In March 1965 Howard College at Birmingham, Ala., honored Frank Park Samford, Auburn ‘14, ‘in recognition of 28 years of outstanding service to Christian education as a trustee of Howard College, during his silver anniversary as Chairman of the Board.’ A few months later, on Nov. 9, 1965, the state’s largest privately supported four-year co-educational institution paid Brother Samford a

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(PALM, 1966)

Pledge Class of 1966 at Birmingham-Southern: Ric Andrews, Sam Baldone ‘68, and Bill Burch ‘68, Birmingham; John Butt, Jacksonville, Fla.; Carlee Cobb, Montgomery; Mike Copeland, Anniston; Steve Dorough, Birmingham; Marc Flint, Foley; Randy Hammonds, Albertville; Ed Howard, Tuscumbia; Bill Jabour ‘68, Montgomery; Steve King, Anniston; Alan Livingston, Albertville; Turner McDonald ‘69, Dougland McMillan and Bill Morgan, Birmingham; Mike O’Brannon, Tuscumbia; Steve Spellman and George Trawick ‘69, Birmingham; Greg Wilcoxson, Florence; and Andy Wolfe, Huntsville (PALM, 86.4, Dec. 1966).

John L. Putman [of the Birmingham-Southern Chapter] made the 1966 list of America’s “Ten Most Outstanding Young Men” by the National Jaycees. “The name ‘Jaycees’ comes from the organizations former title, ‘Junior Chamber of Commerce.’ It is limited to young business men not over 35.” Other people to appear on the list in other years have been Charles Lindbergh, J. Edgar Hoover, Walt Disney, and Clark Gable (Bird, Centennial 246f).

John Putman, TOYM winner last year.

(PALM, 1968)

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(Bird, Centennial)

nd “For 1967, the 22 annual Chapter Officers Conference was held on the campus of Syracuse, alma mater of Executive Secretary Norm Ritchie…. Memorable talks were given by the Rev. Robert E. Palmer, Honor Initiate at the Kearney State installation, and John B. Putnam, one of the Jaycees’ ‘Ten Most Outstanding Men,’ now serving as ATO Ambassador-at-Large. This same pair captured the NIC ‘67 meeting with equally powerful messages” (Bird, Centennial 316).

nd “[At the 22 Annual Chapter Officers Conference at Syracuse in the Summer of 1967] Choicest spot on the entire program, the principal address at the Annual Banquet, went to John Lloyd Putman, Birmingham-Southern, one of America’s Top Ten Outstanding Young Men. Past WGC John MacGregor, a former NIC president, introduced his fellow Alpha Tau in appetite-whetting style and our new Ambassador at Large fully lived up to his advance billing. No less an authority than Toastmaster-President Fred Turner declared that John Putman’s standing ovation was the greatest ever given an NIC banquet orator. “Put” brought down the house” (PALM, 87.4, Dec. 1967).

“Two highlights of the Syracuse COC [Chapter Officers’ Conference] were addresses by Dr. Robert Palmer, Kearney State, on Morals and John Putman, Birmingham-Southern, ATOs new Ambassador at Large” (PALM, 87.4, Dec. 1967).

While most officers are elected at Congress, many other positions are ones attained by appointment only. Such positions include certain advisers, members of the ATO Foundation Fund, and members of the Headquarters Staff. The position of Ambassador-at-Large falls under the category of Headquarters staff and is part of the Public Relations team for the National Fraternity. Such a PR position is a “full-time vocation…and adding luster to the popular concept

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(PALM, 1967)

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(PALM, 1967 cont.)

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 87.1, March 1967: “Beta Beta Chapter was very honored to be the guests of the Huntsville Alumni Association at the banquet honoring Beta Beta’s outstanding alumnus, John Putnam, one of America’s Ten Outstanding Young Men of 1966. The banquet was held on Jan. 15 at the Carriage Inn. WGC Stewart Daniels and former WGC Johnny Vann were guest speakers. Also attending was Province Chief Amos Burns. Pledges John Butt and Bob Carr, top individual swimmers in the IM Meet, led the Taus to an overwhelming victory, helped by pledges Mike Copeland and David Turberville. Butt broke four school records in the meet. Taus have received a large share of campus honors: president, freshmen class, Andy Wolfe; freshmen representative to the Student Government Association, Ed Howard; vice president, senior class, Rick DeShazo; president of Student Congress, Mike Newsom; and president of IFC, Mike Harper. Bob Clem and Walter Donaldson were selected for WWACU [Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities]. —Sam Baldone” (PALM, 87.1, March 1967).

nd “Founders Day ‘67: BIRMINGHAM—The 102 Founders Day banquet, sponsored jointly by the Birmingham ATO Alumni Association and Birmingham-Southern Chapter, was held on Feb. 24 with more than 100 Taus and guests attending at The Relay House, atop the Bank for Savings Building. David Franks served as toastmaster and Tom Stewart read the Founders Day message. Guest speaker was John Putman, Birmingham-Southern ‘61, one of America’s Top Ten Outstanding Young Men (March’ 67 PALM). He told some of his experiences resulting from his blindness. W.M. Sam Baldone presented a plaque to Brother Putman for outstanding service to the chapter. Among the guests were Province Chief Amos Burns, and BB Sweetheart Pat Strother” (PALM, 87.2, May 1967).

(PALM, 1967)

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“As All America knows, the initials ‘TOYM’ stand for ‘Ten Outstanding Young Men’—the annual selection of youthful Americans, 35 years of age or under, who have contributed most significantly to public service in the preceding year….Putman Pinch Hits at Presentation: John Lloyd Putman, Birmingham-Southern ‘61, one of last year’s TOYM winners, attended the 1967 presentation ceremonies Jan. 19-20 at St. Paul. When the scheduled speaker (Bob Richards) was unable to make connections, John took over, delivered one of his usual masterpieces and brought down the house. Since receiving his TOYM Award last year, Brother Putman has resigned from his executive post with Spaco, Inc., aircraft components firm, and is now president of Outstanding Americans Foundation with headquarters in Montgomery, Ala., and Chicago. Being called upon to make speeches in all parts of the country, he can also frequently meet with ATO chapters, conclaves and alumni as the Fraternity’s Ambassador-at-Large” (PALM, 88.1, March 1968).

“Previous ATO/TOYMs—1966: JOHN LLOYD PUTMAN, Birmingham-Southern ‘61, blind since 19, Public Affairs Director of airspace firm at 27” (PALM, 88.1, March 1968).

“Following is a list of Varsity players as reported to THE PALM: Birmingham-Southern— Walter Donaldson, Jim Humphreys, Don Lundy, Mike Parker, Butch Wessel, and pledge Bill Burch” (PALM, 87.1, March 1967).

(PALM, 1967)

The list of Golden Circlers for 1967—those who were initiated in 1917—includes: George L. Reynolds Sr., B’hm.-So., now living in Sewanee, Tennessee (PALM, 87.1, March 1967).

As of May 1967, the five-year academic standing for the Beta Beta Chapter, according to the chapter’s GPA above or below the campus’s All-Men’s Average, stood as follows: 1961-62 (1.96); 1962-63 (-1.60); 1963-64 (4.08); 1964-65 (-1.33); and 1965-66 (4.64). Beta Beta was also a campus first for the 1965-66 school year, outranking all other chapters at BSC scholastically (PALM, 87.2, May 1967).

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Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 87.3, Sept. 1967: “Jack Sellers was elected Student Government Association president. Three Taus earned seats as representatives—Ed Howard, Robert Smith, and Andy Wolfe. Wolfe was elected freshman class president and Rick DeShazo, senior class veep. ATO claimed all four initiates into Triangle Club, sophomore honorary—Carlee Cobb, Steve Dorough, Ed Howard, and Andy Wolfe. Cobb and Howard were also tapped for ΦHΣ, freshman honorary. Other honor students were: David Turberville, ΦBK; past W.M. Mike Harper, OΔK; and Bob Clem and Walter Donaldson, WWACU [Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities]. B-Southern Taus won 13 Varsity letters; baseball—Bill Halbrooks, Jim Humphreys, Dougland McMillan; basketball—Bill Burch, Don Lundy, Mike Parker, Humphreys; golf—Billy Moates; swimming—John Butt, Bor Carr, Mike Copeland, Steve Dorough; tennis—Burch. Humphreys received the Robertson Award as Outstanding Athlete. Second for the All-Sports Trophy, ATO won the volleyball, tennis, softball, and swimming championships. Don Lundy added the ping-pong crown. Bill Burch won the Best IM Athlete Award; Jim Humphreys was one of the top five. Don Lundy and Steve Spellman were among the top five IM Team Athletes. Beta Beta chapter officers are: Sam Baldone, W.M.; Jack Sellers, W.C.; Rick Sexton, W.K.E.; Bill Halbrooks, W.Sc.; John Wilson, W.K.A.; Ed Howard, W.U.; Carlee Cobb, W.S.; and Carlton King, P.R.O. —Carlton King” (PALM, 87.3, Sept. 1967).

Rick DeShazo married Gloria Jenkins; Mike Peacock married Sharon Helm, AXΩ (PALM, 87.3, Sept. 1967).

“The University of the South’s Associated Alumni Association conferred honorary alumni status upon George L. Reynolds, Birmingham-Southern ‘20, former asst. to the vice chancellor. He founded Camp Mountain Lake, a summer camp for boys” (PALM, 87.4, Dec. 1967).

The pledge class of 1967 from Birmingham-Southern is: Bruce Edwards, Chuck Porter, Joel Prude ‘69, Nick Robinson, Ron Sexton, and Jack Wainwright ‘68, all of Birmingham; Al Davis, Atlanta, Ga.; David Ellis, Huntsville; Rex Kaney ‘69, Macon, Ga.; Davis King, Montgomery; Paul Manning, Evanston, Ind.; Stan McKee and David Newby, Huntsville; Rick Sorenson, Jacksonville, Fla.; John Tyler, Anniston; and Wayne Williams ‘69, Atlanta, Ga. (PALM, 87.4, Dec. 1967).

Mike Harper wins Thomas Arkle Clark Award for Province X in ’68 (PALM, 1968).

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TAKIN’ THE CAKE at Birmingham-Southern are these new ATO pledges (l. to r.): front row—Mike O’Bannon, Ed Howard, Carlee Cobb, John Butt, and Greg Wilcoxson; middle row—Alan Livingston, George Trawick, Mike Copeland, Bill Morgan, Steve King, and Steve Dorough; and back row—Steve Spellman, Ric Andrews, Randy Ham- monds, Andy Wolfe, Marc Flint, Bill Jabour, and Dougald McMillan. Absent—Sam Baldone, Bill Burch, Turner McDonald, and David Turberville. Did they get a slice? (PALM, 1967)

“How Many ATOs Work at Your Institution? Birmingham-Southern: FACULTY—Dr. John Gersting, Penn., Econ.; Dr. Hoyt Kaylor, Physics; Dr. Arnold Powell, [a dept. was named, but damage to this volume has made the word illegible]; Donald Shockley, Religion” (PALM, 88.1, March 1968).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 88.1, March 1968: “Beta Beta won the award for the highest composite grade-point average for 1966-67 for its second straight win. Mike Harper was elected senior class president. Bill Burch, Jim Humphries, Don Lundy, and Mike Parker are Varsity cagers. After a championship IF football season, Bruce Edwards, Mike Harper, Rick Sorenson, Jack Wainwright, and J.P. Wilson were named to the All-Star team. ATO’s new faculty adviser is Dr. John M. Gersting, who joined the faculty in 1966 as professor of economics. A social highlight of the fall quarter was the costume Viking Party, an afternoon-evening affair with barbeques and cokes. —Carlton King” (PALM, 88.1, March 1968). Spring pledge class of 1968 at Birmingham-Southern: “PLEDGED—Bill Craven ‘70, Birmingham” (PALM, 88.1, March 1968).

The list of Golden Circlers for 1968—those who were initiated in 1918—includes: Herbert M. Byars, B’hm.-So., now living in Greensboro, Al.; James M. Baty, B’hm.-So., now living in Belmont, Massachusetts (PALM, 88.1, March 1968).

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“Revivalist Bob Jones, University Founder Dies at 84: ROBERT R. (BOB) JONES, SR., Birmingham-Southern ‘04, founder and long-time president of Bob Jones University, Greenville, S.C., died Jan. 16. Called one of Christianity’s leading fundamentalists, he was already a successful revivalist when initiated into ATO at 17. He started his institution with 87 students in 1927 and it now has over 3.500 from all over the U.S. and 26 foreign countries, with over $25 million in assets. Bill Graham was a former student of his. Born a Methodist, Brother Jones broke with organized religions in the 1930s, and thereafter claimed no ties with any denominations. His home town, Dothan, Ala., honored him several years ago by placing a bronze marker at his boyhood home. He was 84 when he died” (PALM, 88.1, March 1968).

Revivalist Bob Jones, BB, dies (PALM, 1968).

As of May 1968, the five-year academic standing for the Beta Beta Chapter, according to the chapter’s GPA above or below the campus’s All-Men’s Average, stood as follows: 1962-63 (- 1.60); 1963-64 (4.08); 1964-65 (-1.33); 1965-66 (4.64); 1966-67 (10.02). Beta Beta was also a campus first for the 1966-67 school year, outranking all other chapters at BSC scholastically (PALM, 88.2, May 1968).

(PALM, 1968)

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CAMPUS FIRSTS included Birmingham-Southern, Delaware, Den- ison, Indiana State, Linfield, Louisiana Tech, Mankato State, Mercer, Southwestern and Union. (Listed alphabetically, not in order shown in photo above with two of recipients hidden.) (PALM, 1968)

“After attending the Navy’s Officer Candidate School in Newport, R. I., five brand-new ensigns found themselves assigned to Navy Supply Corps School in Athens, Ga. Then they got together and found they were all ATOs….Ray Cooper, Birmingham-Southern ‘66, will have charge of supply dept. aboard USS Tioga County (LST), based in San Diego…. Ray Cooper directed the OCS choir at Newport, and the NSCS Glee Club at Athens. Recently he organized and sang in what was perhaps the Navy’s first barbershop quartet” (PALM, 88.2, May 1968).

Ray Cooper, BB, in center (PALM, 1968).

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“Help Week: The chapter at Birmingham-Southern worked at the Children’s Fresh Air Camp, Bluff Park, a summer camp for underprivileged youngsters” (PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968).

st st “Voices from Viet Nam: 1 Lt. James F. Hernandez, Birmingham-Southern, is with the 361 Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron at Nha Trang AB, which won the USAF Outstanding Unit Award. He pilots a specially equipped C47 Skytrain to gather reconnaissance data” (PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968).

“Two Taus have opened their practices in ophthalmology—Dr. John L. Mann, Old Dominion ‘60, in El Paso, Texas, and Dr. John E. Reaves, Birmingham-Southern ‘60, in Anniston, Ala. (PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968: “Beta Beta chapter won the IFC Scholarship Trophy for the ‘67 spring and fall quarters and ‘68 winter quarter. The fall pledge class won the ΦHΣ Award with the highest g.p.a. for fall and winter quarters. Davis King, David Newby, Nick Robinson, and John Tyler were tapped for Triangle Club (sophomore service honorary); J.P. Wilson, WC, is IFC veep; and Andy Wolfe is the junior class representative to the Student Government Assn. Jim Humphreys won both the Robertson Athletic Medal (best all-round Varsity athlete) and the Bill Jordan Trophy (MVP in basketball). Varsity lettermen were: Bill Burch, Don Lundy, Mike Parker, and Humphreys, basketball; Burch and Lundy, tennis; Humphreys, baseball; and Randy Hammonds and Bill Moates, golf. ATO took outright team titles in IM touch football, volleyball, handball, and softball and shared the table tennis and badminton crowns. Bill Burch was named the Best All-Round IM Athlete; Don Lundy was no. 1 and David Lawrence no. 3, on the list of the Best IM Athletes. Brother Burch took individual IM titles in badminton, table tennis, and handball; Lundy won a wrestling crown and was second in table tennis; and Lawrence was a wrestling champ and handball runnerup. Carlton King also took an IM wrestling title. The yearbook, The Southern Accent, was dedicated to Rev. Don Shockley, chapter alumnus who is asst. professor of religion and College chaplain. —Mike O’Bannon” (PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968).

“B.M.O.C. (Big Minister on Campus), By Mike O’Bannon, Birmingham-Southern: Rev. Donald G. Shockley has had two fine collegiate careers at Birmingham-Southern College. His first as an ATO student ended with graduation in 1959; now he has completed four years in the second career as chaplain and asst. professor of religion and philosophy. The students’ regard for his second career was evidenced at Awards Day when The Southern Accent, the yearbook, was dedicated in his honor. Earning a B.D. degree at Emory in 1962 and currently enrolled in a doctorate program at San Francisco Theological Seminary, Brother Shockley was assoc. minister of Canterbury Methodist Church, Birmingham, prior to returning here in 1964. Evaluating the religious life program at the end of his first year, he noted the weakness of worship. ‘No matter how significant our lectures, films, and discussion groups became, they would never find coherence and translation into personal commitment until corporate worship was made the nucleus around which these and all other religious activities revolve,’ he said. Sponsor of the Methodist Student Movement, Rev. Shockley conducts the Sunday morning worship services in the new Yielding Chapel. The Holy Eucharist and the celebration of Mass are important parts of the Chapel program during the week. Brother Shockley has written articles for the Christian

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Advocate. More importantly, he has been an advocate of Christianity by example on campus” (PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968).

(Southern Accent, 1968; PALM, 1968)

“Dedication: The Reverend Donald Shockley—It’s his silence that you first like about him…There are so few people who listen. Then you feel the warmth of his listening…a warmth that says We are people; let us speak to one another as people—I hear you…I will always be here to hear you. In the often darkened maze of campus life, he is the understanding that eases the terror of ceaseless introspection. He understands the relativity of the thing—of religion, that is. He talks about God without mentioning Him; it’s as if he knew that to be a Go-God Man would be to cut the lines of communication to those who are uncertain. A recognition of the groping…he sees the trembling mind that must cope with war, riots, sexual revolution, academic competition,…but he does not fear the vulnerability of caring. We dedicate the 1968 Southern Accent to a man of genuine individuality, a man who lives the philosophy of caring which he tries to share—Donald Shockley” (Southern Accent, 1968).

Pledge class of 1968 at Birmingham-Southern: Gary Bishop, Steve Erickson, John Howell, Tim Hunter, Barry Hutner, Roy Plan, and Bob Williams, Birmingham; Bill Blackman, Nashville, Tenn.; Robert Clegg, Montgomery; Thomas Cline, Richard Herring, and Vance Tyler, Pensacola, Fla.; Craig Cottem, Huntsville; Jim Fuhrmeister, St. Louis, Mo.; Robin Huckstep, Atlanta, Ga.; and Jeff Muller, Springfield, Ill. (PALM, 88.4, Dec. 1968).

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SWEET SIXTEEN pledges at Birming- ham-Southern are (l. to r.): front—Bishop, Muller, Gottem, Howell, Erickson, and Tyler; and back —Cline, Hunter, Huckstep, Hutner, Herring, Clegg, Fuhrmeister, Black- man, Williams, Plan.

(PALM, 1968)

SUSAN BURKE, ΠBΦ, has been selected ATO Sweetheart to reign the coming year for Beta Beta chapter at Birming- ham-Southern.

(PALM, 1968)

“Help Week: Birmingham-Southern Taus contacted more than 400 businesses in the Birmingham area for contributions to the United Appeal. They collected 15 per cent more than what the UA had expected to receive” (PALM, 89.1, March 1969).

“Study at the Perkins School of Theology, S.M.U., is Mike Harper, Birmingham-Southern ‘68” (PALM, 89.1, March 1969).

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The list of Golden Circlers for 1969—those who were initiated in 1919—includes: E.G. Burchfiel, Jr., Birm.-South., now living in Allison Park, Pennsylvania. This list also includes two others who areeligible to receive 50-Year Certificate but have no address on record: James L. Allgood, B’hm.-So. and Robert A. Baker, B’hm.-So. (PALM, 89.1, March 1969).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 89.1, March 1969: “House expansion plans are taking shape to double the living capacity, enlarge the chapter room, and remodel the living room. The project should be completed by fall. Scholastically, ATO topped the fraternity standings for the fall quarter. Socially, its afternoon-evening Viking party was a great success. Pledges Steve Erickson and Tim Hunter will be members of the Varsity tennis team. —John Butt” (PALM, 89.1, March 1969).

“ROY O. HILL, Birmingham-Southern ‘13, died March 24 at the age of 79. A Dothan, Ala., civic leader, he had been associated early with the Atlantic Coast Line R.R. and a partner in The Hildren Pharmacy. Clerk of Houston County’s Circuit Court for past 42 years, he was dean of elective and appointive officials in the county. Brother Hill was a steward of First Methodist Church since 1920 and an honorary member of the Houston County Bar Association. Survivors include an ATO son, Roy O. Hill Jr., Emory ‘42” (PALM, 89.1, March 1969).

“Founders Day, 1969: Birmingham-Southern—Twenty alumni were honored at the Founders Day banquet at the Downtown Club and they enthusiastically viewed the plans of a proposed $60,000 house extension which includes a new living room and six new bedrooms” (PALM, 89.2, May 1969).

As of May 1969, the five-year academic standing for the Beta Beta Chapter, according to the chapter’s GPA above or below the campus’s All-Men’s Average, stood as follows: 1963-64 (4.08); 1964-65 (-1.33)l 1965-66 (4.64); 1966-67 (10.02); and 1967-68 (12.79). Beta Beta was also a campus first for the 1967-68 school year, outranking all other chapters at BSC scholastically (PALM, 89.2, May 1969).

FINISHING FIRST on their campuses in 1967-68 meant awards for 10 chapters. In the spotlight were: Henry Parsley, Sewanee; Eddie Hart, Southwestern; Mike Donough, Denison; Don Wal- lace, Central State; Larry Welch, Lamar Tech; James Latham, Louisiana Tech; Terry Legget, Nevada Southern; Jim Beedle, Memphis State; Jerry Gray, Indiana State; and Andy Wolfe, Birmingham-Southern. Marietta missed the photo; Louisiana Tech made it as WGC Award-winner, not as a campus leader.

(PALM, 1969)

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(PALM, 1969)

“Help Week: David Ellis and J.P. Wilson organized Birmingham-Southern Taus in their work with the United Appeal Drive, soliciting a district of small businesses and collecting more than $1,400” (PALM, 89.2, May 1969).

Spring pledge class of 1969 at Birmingham-Southern: PLEDGED—James Metrock and Chris Truss, Birmingham” (PALM, 89.2, May 1969).

Quarterly report from Birmingham-Southern to the ATO PALM, 89.3, Sept. 1969: “Beta Beta chapter won the Province X Scholarship Trophy. Mike O’Bannon was tapped for ΦBK and Chris Truss for ΦHΣ freshman scholarship honorary. Carlton King and Dugland McMillan are now attending the U. of Alabama’s dental school. Who’s Who leaders include Student Government Assn. President Ed Howard and OΔK member Andy Wolfe. Thomas Cline and Jeff Mueller were elected to SGA; Mike Copeland is IFC president. The 13-member Triangle Club, sophomore service group, includes six ATOs—Robert Clegg, Craig Cotton, John Howell, Robin Huckstep, Jeff Mueller, and Chris Truss. J.P. Wilson continues as the chapter’s traveling secretary. ATO won the Greek Week Sing. David Lawrence, handball and badminton champ, was named Best All-Round IM Athlete while Tim Hunter was one of five Best Team and Best Individual Athletes. Varsity athletes are: John Butt and Octavio Visiedo, swimming; Steve Erickson and Tim Hunter, tennis; and John Howell, golf. —Davis King” (PALM, 89.3, Sept. 1969).

Pledge class of 1969 at Birmingham-Southern: PLEDGED—Octavio Visiedo, Miami Springs, Fla. (PALM, 89.3, Sept. 1969).

“Birmingham-Southern’s Peaceful ATO Encounter, By Davis King, Birmingham-Southern: In the midst of riots on many American college campuses, ATOs at Birmingham-Southern sought to talk about reasons and solutions to problems in America. Andy Wolfe, Beta Beta chapter WM and a Student Government Association member, proposed and organized ‘Encounter,’ a symposium to examine American crises and to project possible solutions. He secured such speakers as: Sen. Joseph S. Clark (Pa.-D); Sen. Strom Thurmond (S.C.-R); Sterling Tucker,

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(PALM, 1969)

“October 1 will see ATO Headquarters with a staff of three full-time Chapter Service Consultants…. J.P. (for John Payne) Wilson, Birmingham-Southern ‘69, is now a Chapter Consultant. A leader in the chapter, he served successively as WKA and WC. He was v.p. of the Interfraternity Council last year and treas. of the Circle K Club. J.P. also won prominence as an intramural athlete, playing on several Beta Beta teams. After the chapter won the IM football championship, he was picked for the All Star Team” (PALM, 89.3, Sept. 1969).

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(PALM, 1969)

Pledge class of 1969 at Birmingham-Southern: PLEDGED—Jack Carr, Anniston; Chris Davis, Atlanta, Ga.; Mike Baker, Billy Hill ‘72, Jim Robey, and Robin Snow ‘71, Birmingham; Bubba Yarbrough, Clearwater, Fla.; Bruce Blaum, Dothan; Mike Moquin ‘72 and Jim Pagel, Huntsville; David Calhoun, Jasper; Slow Kitchens, Lanett; Charlie Priester, Miami, Fla.; Kenny Eaton, Rick Francis, Paul Hyde, John Rogers, and Frank Wade ‘72, Nashville, Tenn.; Milton Spalding, Pensacola, Fla.; Charles Baltzell ‘71, Prattville; Rick Kirkland and Robert Revel, Selma; Bill Eiland ‘70, Sprott; and Nelson Brown, Thomaston (PALM, 89.4, Dec. 1969).

Nicholas B. Robinson, Birmingham-Southern, was born in 1849 and initiated 1868. He died Aug. 9, 1969 (PALM, 89.4, Dec. 1969).

“In the ideals [the ritual] it teaches, the vows it requires, the hopes it expresses, lie the ultimate power to shape men’s lives that is Alpha Tau Omega at its finest. This is the dynamism which will carry the Fraternity triumphantly forward through the second hundred years that began with the Centennial” (Bird, Centennial 319).

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(Bird, Centennial)

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(Bird, Centennial)

CHAPTER HOUSES OF TODAY (The 1960’s)

UCLA set the pace for modern, “glass-wall” chapter houses in 1957 with this spectacular design by alumnus Walter J. Richardson, UCLA ’43.

Simpson occupied this smart functional new home in 1963 at cost of $175,000 with the aid of many generous alumni contributions and additional federal financing.

Louisiana State chapter moved into this air-con- ditioned house on lake front in fall of 1964. With 20 two-man rooms designed for study and sleep, each room has its own patio (shown here while under construction).

Ohio State’s BΩ dedicated this contemporary home during ATO Cen- tennial year. It was designed, built and fur- nished by prominent alumni, and houses 50 men. (“Leaning” look due to photo perspective.)

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Who’s Who in Alpha Tau Omega in the 1960’s: Bernard A. Monaghan, Birmingham-Southern, president, Vulcan Materials; Raymond D. Hurlbert, Birmingham-Southern, general manager, Alabama Educational Television; Albert L. Fairley Jr., Birmingham-Southern, pres., Hollinger Consolidated Gold Mines, ltd.; R. Bowling Barnes, Birmingham-Southern, pres., Barnes Engineering Co. (PALM, 88.3, Sept. 1968).

(PALM, 1967)

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(PALM, 1969)

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(Southern Accent, 1960)

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Physical Education: WILLIAM RAINES BATTLE SAE’s and ATO’s battle it out in basketball. Birmingham-Southern A.B., George Peabody College M.A.

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Spring quarter baseball takes the spotlight; here the ATO’s score against the Pikes.

ATO’s and Theta Chi’s struggle for the ball.

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John Putnam

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ATO Scores One On the ΘX Team

Charles Bunts a Good One

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ATO’s rush as roughly as usual.

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Appendix A: Roll of Chapters Significant to Beta-Beta

“1. Virginia Alpha (A), Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Virginia, September II, 1865. Otis A. Glazebrook, Alfred Marshall, and Erskine M. Ross. Until July 5, 1870, it was the executive chapter of the Fraternity and was called ‘The Mother Society.’ Its charter was withdrawn in 1881, because of a threatened antifraternity legislation. Members, 103” (Reno 241).

“2. Virginia Beta (B), Washington College (now Washington and Lee University), Lexington, Virginia, November 18, 1865. Organized by Virginia Alpha. Alfred Marshall, Installing Officer. Its charter was surrendered on October 20, 1899, because of lack of material. The chapter was revived June I, 1906, by the absorption of Chi Rho, a local. Charter surrendered and placed in escrow with High Council, November 30, 1952. Members, 481” (Reno 241).

“10. Virginia Delta (Δ), University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, November 25, 1868. [Organized by] William G. Bennett, VMI., and Frederick A. Berlin, Washington-Lee. It has maintained continuous existence to date. Members, 725” (Reno 242).

“26. Georgia Alpha Beta (AB), University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, December 9, 1878. [Organized by] Peter F. Smith, Virginia. Members 974” (Reno 244).

“28. Alabama Alpha Epsilon (AE), Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Alabama (now Auburn University), December 18, 1879. [Organized by] Ignatius L. Candler, Georgia. Members, 1,259” (Reno 244).

“51. Alabama Beta Beta (BB), Southern University, Greensboro, Alabama, March 28, 1885. [Organized by] Thomas R. McCarty, Auburn. This institution is now known as Birmingham- Southern College and is located in Birmingham, Alabama. Members, 725” (Reno 246).

“53. Alabama Beta Delta (BΔ), University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, October 29, 1885. [Organized by] Claude A. Allen, Georgia. Members 928.” (Reno 246).

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Appendix B: Timeline

1845: Founders Otis Allan Glazebrook, Erskine Mayo Ross, and Alfred Marshall are born.

1856: The Alabama Conference incorporates Southern University.

1859: The doors to Southern University formally open.

1865: The first chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity is founded at V.M.I. by Otis Allan Glazebrook, Erskine Mayo Ross, and Alfred Marshall on September 11. Members of the V.M.I. Chapter found the second ATO chapter at Washington College (now Washington and Lee University).

1868: William G. Bennett, of the V.M.I. Chapter, and Frederick A. Berlin, of the Washington College (now Washington and Lee University) Chapter, found ATO’s tenth chapter at the University of Virginia.

1878: Peter F. Smith, of the University of Virginia Chapter, founds ATO’s twenty-sixth chapter at the University of Georgia. Sigma Alpha Epsilon comes to Southern University.

1879: Ignatius L. Candler, of the University of Georgia Chapter, founds ATO’s twenty-eight chapter at Alabama Polytechnic Institute (now Auburn University). Sigma Chi comes to Southern University. Alpha Tau Omega is incorporated on January 10 as “The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity of Baltimore City.”

1882: Kappa Alpha comes to Southern University. Southern University becomes the joint property of the Alabama Conference and the North Alabama Conference.

1885: Alpha Tau Omega comes to Southern University when Thomas R. McCarty, of the Auburn University Chapter, founds ATO’s fifty-first chapter at Southern University on March 28.

1897: The North Alabama Conference relinquishes all rights over Southern University back to the Alabama Conference and begins a college at Owenton, AL, on the outskirts of Birmingham. The college is formally named the North Alabama Conference College but is commonly called “Owenton College.” Miss Margaret Pickett becomes the first female to receive an A.B. degree from Southern University.

1906: The North Alabama Conference College is re-named Birmingham College. The National ATO Congress is held in Birmingham.

1909: The National Interfraternity Council is founded.

1915: The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity celebrates its Golden (50th) Anniversary.

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1918: In order to help with the struggling survival of Southern University and Birmingham College, the two colleges are consolidated. The site of Birmingham College is expanded as the site of the new consolidated institution, which is named Birmingham-Southern College. Among the fraternities that move with Southern University to Birmingham- Southern College are: Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Tau Omega. Kappa Alpha, having lost its charter at Southern University years earlier, is restored at BSC with the opening of the new institution.

1940: The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity holds its Diamond Jubilee upon the date of its 75th Anniversary.

1946: In the March PALM, Beta Beta Chapter reports the end of an absence from the BSC campus that had lasted for at least three years.

1960: At BSC, construction of what is, in 2007, referred to as “the Old ATO House” on “Old Frat Row” is completed.

1963: The Beta Beta Chapter of ATO founds the Viking Party (or “Vike”), which is to become ATO’s major annual party across the nation.

1965: The Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity celebrates its 100th Anniversary. The first African- American students are allowed admission into BSC.

1971: Birmingham, Alabama celebrates its centennial birthday.

1976: The United States of America celebrates its Bicentennial Anniversary.

1985: The Beta Beta Chapter of ATO turns 100.

1989: Sigma Chi returns to the BSC campus after an extended absence according to Southern Accent, 1990.

2003: The new Beta Beta Chapter house (as of 2007, the current ATO house) is constructed on New Frat Row.

2006: The compilation of the history of the Beta Beta Chapter begins in March. Birmingham- Southern College celebrates its Sesquicentennial Anniversary. The Beta Beta Chapter is prohibited from ever again celebrating Vike, resulting in Beta Beta’s 1st Annual Shipwreck Party.

2007: The Official History of the Beta Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity is completed in January. In early February, it is presented to and formally approved by the Executive Council, 2006 – 2007 of Beta Beta. It is then presented to the Chapter and is formally approved and adopted by the Chapter as the Chapter’s official history.

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Appendix C: Major Sources Cited

Bird, Harry L. The ATΩ Story: From Gold to Diamond. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Inc.: Champaign, 1965. Print.

-----. The ATΩ Story: On to the Centennial! Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Inc.: Champaign, 1968. Print.

Brown, Donald. Forward Ever. Birmingham-Southern College: Birmingham, 2005. Print.

Johnson, Clyde Sanfred. Fraternities in Our Colleges. National Fraternity Foundation: New York, 1972. Print.

PALM of Alpha Tau Omega, The. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Inc. Quarterly Monthly Magazine. 1943-1969. Print.

Perry, Wilbur Dow [Class of 1905]. A History of Birmingham-Southern College: 1856-1931. Methodist Publishing House: Nashville, 1931. Print.

Reno, Claude J. The ATΩ Story: The First Fifty Years. Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Inc.: Champaign, 1962. Print.

Revue, La. Birmingham-Southern College. Annual Yearbook. 1919-1941. Print.

Southern Accent. Birmingham-Southern College. Annual Yearbook. 1942-2006. Print.

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For More Information

The National Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity: www.ato.org

The Beta-Beta Chapter of ATO: www.atobetabeta.org

Birmingham-Southern College: www.bsc.edu

A Visual History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of ATO, a film by Paul Blom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNranExEI_0

Paul Blom: http://paul-blom.wix.com/paulblom

— This complete document, when saved as one file, has a file size that is too large to host online. For that reason, this document has been divided into two volumes. For the reader’s convenience, the same appendices have been included with each volume. This concludes Volume I. Please see Volume II to read the rest of this document.

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