Alpha-Delta
(Iota Theta Beta!)
Alpha-Delta
(Iota Theta Beta!)
The
Alpha-Delta Chapter
of
The Kappa Sigma International Fraternity
was founded January 8th, 1892. At that time the membership consisted of six founding fathers and was part of an overall expansion of the fraternity. Our initiation chapter was the chapter at Swarthmore College, which has since gone dormant.
Below are some of the happenings at Alpha-Delta during my tenure from the Fall of 1978 through Spring of 1981. It was a great experience, well worth the effort.
Pledging in 1978
Pledging in 1978 was a rare experience. Since the chapter was down to 28 active undergraduate members things were quite a bit different than what most pledges went through at the time. While we did have duties to perform, there really was no harassment as was synonymous with pledging in those days. Yes, boys will be boys, but other than activities that we would have participated (or did participate in) while in the dormitories, we had quite a pleasant experience.
Most of our time was spent going to classes, since that was mandatory for pledges, performing duties at the chapter house and learning the rich history upon which our order was founded. Of course, we 'worked' every party (three time a week) throughout our ten week term so social activities were never a problem. We also visited other chapters in the district (District 5 at that time) and worked with various chairmen (Rush and Social, mostly) to improve the chapter.
It is a time I will long remember for long hours and lots of fun. As I said, well worth the effort!
Undergraduate Activities
As some of you may know, Penn State is a very student-oriented school. There are activities for everyone which is a good thing since the school is in the exact geographic center of the state and near nothing!
In addition to the obligatory fall football games, there were campus-wide Halloween parties, the Penn State Choirs, Gentle Thursday, and, of course, sunning on the HUB lawn to keep you occupied.
We also had great fun with the Kappa Sigma Open ;-), trips to Stone Valley, Charlottesville, and other chapters. The Dance Marathon and Phi-Tau Tales were two of the biggest philanthropies we helped out with as well as the Phi-Psi 500 race.
Annually, we held several (in)famous events for the undergrads, alums and parents. Each fall there was Homecoming with all the painted windows, floats, madhatters and crazy bands. Winter was a slow time since you really couldn't leave the chapter house but each February the Pledge Formal would signal the beginning of the 'thaw'. The spring was our busiest time with Parent's weekend and the Phi-Mu-Alpha dance band and, our 'signature party'-- Luau! Quite a way to end the year, to say the least.
Undergraduate Offices
As you might imagine, I was fairly involved with the chapter as an undergraduate. I started off as one of the youngest Social Chairmen ever elected. After that, there was Rush Chairman and Assistant Homecoming Chairman. Then I hit the 'big time' briefly with a term as Grand Master of Ceremonies. I then finished out my undergraduate career as House Manager, Caterer, Dance Marathon Security Chair and Guard. A busy Senior year while preparing for my next step!
