The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the

Transcription

The Official History of the
Beta-Beta Chapter of the
Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. II
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 II. Please see Volume I to read the beginning of this document.
The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity, Vol. II
Researched and Compiled by Paul Blom
Contents
The 1970’s: Vietnam Continues and Vike Grows .......................................................................... 3
The 1980’s: Beta-Beta Turns 100 ................................................................................................. 36
The 1990’s: Approaching a New Millennium .............................................................................. 74
2000-2003: A New House on a New Frat Row .......................................................................... 110
2004: A New President and a New Mentality ............................................................................ 133
2005: The Last Viking ................................................................................................................ 140
2006: BSC Celebrates the Sesquicentennial ............................................................................... 151
The End of an Era: Shipwreck Replaces Vike ............................................................................ 179
Closing ........................................................................................................................................ 190
Appendix A: Roll of Chapters Significant to Beta-Beta ............................................................. 193
Appendix B: Timeline................................................................................................................. 194
Appendix C: Major Sources Cited .............................................................................................. 196
For More Information ................................................................................................................. 197
2
The 1970’s: Vietnam Continues and Vike Grows
“Is the Greek System Dying? Fraternities are dying. The script says so, the doctor says so,
independents say so, even your best friend will tell you. But the patient is difficult. He is 118 yrs.
old, drinks, smokes, wines, and dines. He has been dying for the last ten years, if rumors are to
be trusted, and predictions as to his eventual departure are as accurate as those for the Great
California Earthquake. Fraternities are not about to give up, however. Their power and influence
may be waning, but they continue to dominate all social functions…. Is the Greek System
Dying? It is perhaps losing some of its steam—but no, it is not dying. Greeks still have a big
influence on ‘Southern’s campus, and more than likely will continue to have a big influence”
(Southern Accent, 1970).
“BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN’S OWN ELTON B. STEPHENS IS PRESIDENT OF ‘MINI,
HOME-GROWN CONGLOMERATE’ EBSCO is a mini, home-grown conglomerate with over
sixty profit centers throughout the free world and almost a thousand employees. Active in eight
industries, EBSCO’s recent annual sales figures approach $30 million EBSCO does many things
in many ways for many people and does them well” (Southern Accent, 1970).
1971 saw the centennial birthday of the city of Birmingham, Alabama, which was founded in
1871 (Southern Accent, 1971).
“Birmingham—a city brought from the infamous bombing of a Sunday school that took the lives
of four little Black girls in the early 60’s, to the naming of it as an All-American city last year”
“1976 was the big year for America. The United States turned 200 and so did the Greek system.
It was a very good year for Greeks, especially here at ‘Southern. Oh, sure, Greeks have had their
ups and downs. There have been some mighty lean years for them. Nobody knows that better
than the Pike, DZ, and KA chapters who folded at ‘Southern during the Great Greek
Depression…Rumor had it a few years ago that fraternities and sororities were all washed up.
But it looks like they were just taking a quick shower. Ah, yes—the Greek life is the good life”
“Who’s Who and Why: Bob Herring—Bob was a National Merit Finalist and Scholar, and Phi
Beta Kappa Scholarship Winner at BSC. Bob has been active in the SGA, Circle K, offices of
ATO Fraternity, Theta Sigma Lambda, ACS, and cheerleading for the BSC Basketball Team. He
was Phi Eta Sigma Vice-President and Projects Chairperson; IFC President, Treasurer, and Rush
Chairman. Bob received the ATO Province X Scholarship, and he also has been a Birmingham
Symphony Usher” (Southern Accent, 1976).
In 1977, ATO placed first in Intramural football (Southern Accent, 1977).
“Who’s Who and Why: Sheila Smith—Sheila was the 1975 Miss Birmingham Southern College.
She has been Alpha Tau Omega’s sweetheart and Zeta Tau Alpha’s favorite…Jamie Pinson—
Jamie was president of Omicron Delta Kappa and a member of Theta Sigma Lambda, Beta Beta
Beta, and Alpha Tau Omega. Jamie worked on the College Public Relations Task Force and the
3
Campus Ministry Council. During his sophomore year, Jamie worked on the yearbook and was
SOUTHERN ACCENT’s editor in his junior year” (Southern Accent, 1977).
Man lands on moon in 1969 (Southern Accent, 1970).
4
(Southern Accent, 1970)
5
(Southern Accent, 1970 cont.)
6
7
Dill (Sweetheart)
Craven
Prude
Copeland
Morgan
Cobb
8
Wolfe
Eiland
Dorough
Flint
“By dawn’s early light the United States Marines, weary after the third night of fighting in September against the
North Viet Namese troops, crawl from their fox holes as the sun’s first rays light their hilltop position near the
demilitarized zone. Helicopter in the background was shot down as it attempted to bring supplies to the unit.”
9
ATO is listed in the index of Southern Accent, 1971 as not pictured for this year. Thus, there is
no group page for this year.
David Henry Newby
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11
12
Steve Erickson
Robert Clegg
Jeff Mueller
Barry Hutner
Bob Williams
Robin Huckstep
13
“The Editor [of Southern Accent], in conference with the officers of the Student Government
Association, sought to reduce the cost of the annual…. The size of the book was reduced, as
were the number of pages” (Southern Accent, 1973). Thus, no organizations or group shots of
any kind are available in the volume for 1973.
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15
Morris W. Hollis, Jr.
Alan D. Moore
Mike W. Binkley
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David A. Smith
Theron E. Montgomery
Bill Sisson
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James Andrew Grimes
Huntsville, AL
Scott S. Field
Huntsville, AL
Warren G. Sarrel, Jr.
Anniston, AL
Roger Stephen Morrow
Enterprise, AL
Robert W. Herring
Nashville, Tenn.
Richard Neil Downing
Sylacauga, AL
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Lily Tomlin and Vincent Price visit BSC.
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24
25
James Hinson
Pinson, AL
Biology
Donald B. Davis
Pensacola, FL
Business Admin.
Sheila Smith
Sweetheart
James “Scooter” Haywood
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Bob Hope and Leonard Nimoy visit BSC.
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David H. Hollaway
Burgettstown, Penn.
Biology
Lawrence Roger Lacy
Anniston, AL
Political Science/Business Admin.
Joel Bailey
Anniston, AL
Accounting
Drew Kermit Anderson
Punta Gorda, FL
Biology
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Don McLean visits BSC.
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32
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Marquam Landry
David Smith
Ronnie Hamilton
Harold Bumbalough
Thomas Little
Roger Barnes
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The 1980’s: Beta-Beta Turns 100
ATO won the Intramural first place trophies for volleyball and basketball in 1982 (Southern
Accent, 1982).
th
The year 1985 marked the 100 Anniversary of the founding of the Beta Beta Chapter.
Berte [then-BSC President] takes a moment to welcome the participants in the 1981 Founder’s
Day Run with then-SGA president Grant Smith, ’81.
(Brown)
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37
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Joseph M. Bailey
Birmingham, AL
Chemistry
Timothy Alan Harness
Huntsville, AL
Political Science
David C. Middleton
Huntsville, AL
Chemistry/Business Admin.
Kent David Braden
St. Petersburg, FL
Health/Phys. Ed.
Michael Dale George
Decatur, AL
Business Admin./Political Science
Donald Lee Heflin
Huntsville, AL
Political Science
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Jesse H. Ezzell, Jr.
Panama City, FL
Chemistry
John Stephen Wilson
Anniston, AL
Biology
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Scott D. Sweeney
Lavale, Maryland
Biology
Jon F. Kral
Huntsville, AL
Business Admin.
Dale E. Gann
Anniston, AL
Math/Biology
Philip K. Stephens
Birmingham, AL
Chemistry
Curtis A. Smith
Birmingham, AL
Biology
Brent H. Ledford
Huntsville, AL
Biology
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Hugh P. O’Shields, Jr.
Vestavia Hills, AL
Pre-Med
James L. Williams
Anniston, AL
Chemistry
George G. Smith
Anniston, AL
Accounting
Terry N. Posey
Montgomery, AL
Health/Phys. Ed.
Robert C. Dillon, Jr.
Anniston, AL
Business Admin.
Robert C. Crist
Albertville, AL
Business Admin.
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John D. Grigsby
Huntsville, AL
Accounting
Phillip E. Holladay, Jr.
Anniston, AL
Political Science
William R. Shope
Birmingham, AL
Business Admin.
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A rare photo of current (as of 2007) BSC English professor,
Dr. Michael McInturff, who is infamous for his refusal to be photographed.
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(Left) Harry
Kampakis
tears down
ATO PreVike sign in
cafeteria.
This sign
was only up
for 15
minutes, but
it aroused
enough
indignation
among some
female
students to
warrant, ‘We
Object’
(Below).”
[See
enlargement
of “We
Object” on
next page.]
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Poster objecting to the R.R.P.B. chant.
Tom Moncrief
Savannah, Ga.
Brian Parker
Birmingham, Al.
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David Wangerin
Birmingham, Al.
Thomas Irwin
Soddy, Tenn.
David Livingston
Albertville, Al.
Chris Canfield
Birmingham, Al.
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John Paul Mathis
Troy, Al.
Clay Price
Fayette, Al.
Kevin Henderson
Birmingham, Al.
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56
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Some familiar faces…current (as of 2007) professors twenty years ago.
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Charles T. Cowin
Birmingham, Al.
History
Stuart Randolph Davies
Huntsville, Al.
Chemistry/Economics
Sean Patrick Groark
Birmingham, Al.
Chemistry/Biology
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63
Hopefully not an ATO.
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Some familiar faces…current (as of 2007) professors twenty years ago.
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The 1990’s: Approaching a New Millennium
For the 1991-1992 school year, the National Fraternity reported that Beta Beta had the highest
GPA of any ATO chapter in Alabama. Beta Beta received the Chapter Proficiency Award from
ATO National. Beta Beta’s chapter GPA was also higher than the All-Men’s average (Southern
Accent, 1992).
“The Fred D. Spence Scholarship was created in 1999 through a bequest from his estate. A 1939
graduate, he attended Birmingham-Southern College on a football scholarship and was a member
of the Dixie Conference 1937 Championship Team. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega
Fraternity and Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society. During WWII he served as an intelligence
officer in the U.S. Navy. He worked in many key positions with General Electric. This
scholarship is awarded to any worthy and deserving student” (http://www.bsc.edu/academics/
catalog2003-04/pages/admission/scholarships.html).
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President Bush visits BSC.
Elton B. Stephens, Beta Beta, Class of 1932
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81
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Back in the days of payphones
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85
86
87
88
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Scott Allen Walker
Psychology
Todd Green
English
Thomas Ernest Forbes
Math
Brian C. Key
Political Science
Payton Lusk
English
Chris Chapman
Economics
Clayborn Stanford
Math
Stuart Worth
Religion
Nop Unnopet
No Major Given
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92
Ray Bradbury and Dr. Thomas Keneally visit BSC.
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President Clinton visits BSC.
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Construction begins on Norton Campus Center.
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2000-2003: A New House on a New Frat Row
“Work started on a new Fraternity Row” during the school year of 2001-2002 (Brown). As of
2007, this is the current BSC Fraternity Row, relocating from “Old Frat Row,” located near the
soccer fields and the Methodist Center.
The pledge class of 2002-2003, as part of their pledge project, constructed the wooden Viking
used at Vike Parties as well as at other events. This pledge class also constructed the ritual
equipment currently used during initiation ceremonies, formal chapters, and other fraternity
rituals.
During the school year of 2002-2003: “hiring freeze and campus-wide austerity
st
continued…Trustees increased goal of ‘Phase II, Toward the 21 Century Campaign’ to $64
million, a reflection of selected needs of the college. The initial goal of $58 million was met in
May 2003. Phase I of the campaign had met its $75 million goal in 1999…Named one of 22 best
buys be the Fiske Guide to Colleges” (Brown). New houses were constructed to form a new
“Frat Row” and dedicated/opened in April.
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(BSC Philanthropy Information Pamphlet)
Construction of “New Frat Row,” which is now the current (as of 2007) Frat Row.
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(The Hilltop, BSC Newspaper)
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(The Hilltop, BSC Newspaper, cont.)
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(“The Streets Where They Live,” BSC Information Pamphlet)
Pamphlet celebrating and describing the newly completed “New Frat Row”
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(“The Streets Where They Live,” BSC Information Pamphlet, cont.)
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(BSC New Buildings Information Pamphlet)
Top: Elton B. Stephens Science Center, in honor of Elton B. Stephens, Beta Beta, Class of 1932.
Bottom: Scrushy-Striplin Field, in honor of Larry Striplin Jr., Beta Beta, Class of 1952, and Richard Scrushy.
(The original Striplin Field, in honor of Larry Striplin, was built in 1981.)
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(BSC New Buildings Information Pamphlet cont.)
Larry D. Striplin Jr. Fitness and Recreation Center, in honor of Larry D. Striplin Jr., Beta Beta, Class of 1952. When
the New Frat Row was constructed, Larry Striplin made sure that none of the new fraternity houses were taller than
the fitness center in his name, with the exception of the new ATO House. This ensured that the ATO House would
be the tallest house on campus.
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Construction of “New Frat Row” (From left to right: Sigma Nu, Sigma Chi, Theta Chi, SAE. Not pictured are ATO,
which would be to the left of Sigma Nu, and KA, to the left of ATO and facing opposite SAE.)
J.T. Sonia
Kit Cecil
Scott Wade
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2004: A New President and a New Mentality
“March 19, 2004, G. David Pollick, President of Lebanon Valley College, of Pennsylvania, is
th
st
named Hilltop’s 12 president, to take office in July 2004…” 21 Century Campaign,” 19952004, becomes largest campaign in college’s history, raising $188 million in gifts and pledges.
Endowment earnings rebound to $13.9 million; record giving totals $24.7 million. Student
Government Association, trustees, alumni association, faculty, and athletics department honor
the Bertes at receptions and banquet; he wins National Interfraternity Council award for support
of the Greek system” (Brown).
During the school year of 2003-2004, brother Cal Woodruff, Chairman of the Subcommittee on
Ways and Means, began drafting the Beta Beta Chapter by-laws, which were then formally
approved and adopted by the Beta Beta Chapter during the school year of 2004-2005. Electronic
copies are kept current as well as hard copies, which are stored by various officers and in the
chapter library.
Men’s Bid Day was first held on the new Fraternity Row in the fall of 2004. This school year,
according to Brother Cal Woodruff, saw “the beginning of the end of the Old House mentality.”
Pledge class that joined in the fall of 2004: Brad Barrick, Paul Blom, David Branton, Matt
Brown, Ian Cunningham, Aaron Edwards, Kelly Grant, Chad Lecroix, Kyle Olack, Milton
Ragsdale, Chuck Smith.
Brad Barrick de-pledged after subsequent disciplinary problems, declining grades, and his
parents’ urging him to de-pledge. Matt Brown transferred out of Birmingham-Southern College.
Kyle Olack, Milton Ragsdale, and Kelly Grant did not get formally initiated but instead became
neophytes. Kyle Olack left during Spring Break and joined the military. Kelly Grant eventually
dropped out of school. Milton Ragsdale, de-activated and then left school. Ian Cunningham did
the same. David Branton left school and joined the Navy Reserve.
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Dr. Berte retires as BSC President.
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An enlargement of one of the photos on the previous page
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2005: The Last Viking
Pledge class that joined in the fall of 2005: Rick Appleyard, Clay Baldwin, Nick Crovo, Zach
Daniel, Mark Dempsey, Will Granger, Miller Hamrick, Bob Kress, Brian Miller, Rob Morgan,
Maz Mulla, Ben Perkins, Woodson Sellers, Whit Smith, David Vanlandingham.
Rick Appleyard de-pledged a few weeks into pledgeship. Whit Smith de-pledged the week after
the Viking Party due to moral/prideful problems with pledgeship. Rob Morgan was caught
smoking marijuana during the Interim at Sea trip and was expelled from BSC. Maz Mulla, Nick
Crovo, Woodson Sellers, and Mark Dempsey were not Formally Initiated and were made
neophytes. Woodson Sellers left school. Maz Mulla and Mark Dempsey achieved the scholastic
equivalent to be initiated and were initiated during September 2006. Nick Crovo did the same
during the fall semester of 2006 and will be initiated as soon as regular chapter meetings resume
for the spring of 2007. Will Granger de-activated. Miller Hamrick left school.
Beta Beta donated 138 hours and $625 toward philanthropy work during the fall of 2005 through
such activities as the Chi-O Kickoff, Halloween on the Hilltop, Crisis Center, and volunteer
work at a Dothan hospital.
Following the 2005 Viking Party, the chapter was found in violation of BSC’s and National’s
alcohol policies. Beta Beta’s punishment included the prohibition of alcohol at any on-campus or
off-campus event that could be construed by an outsider as an ATO function and the chapter was
forbidden to ever again have Vike or any party of a similar nature. Alcohol was banned from the
house, but the chapter was up for review on Sept. 1, 2006 to attempt to regain said privileges.
In response to such punishments, chapter alumni composed a large number of letters to Nationals
and the BSC administration and started a campaign for the chapter to regain Vike at
http://www.savevike.org.
In response to the “dry” house and the risk of being caught with alcohol, an executive resolution
was passed concerning anyone caught drinking in the house, taking affect immediately and until
revoked by the Exec. Council. Anyone living in the house caught drinking was to be given a
warning followed by eviction from the house and into New Men’s Dormitory. Said brother
would be charged for both rooms concurrently. Anyone not living in the house would be
removed from the house that night and given a warning, followed by a fine of a few thousand
dollars. This resolution was supported by and was enforced by the BSC administration, although
no such punishments were ever deemed necessary.
An amendment to the bylaws was passed allowing neophytes to attend chapter. After a certain
number of absences from chapter in a semester, a neophyte may no longer be eligible for formal
initiation that semester.
An amendment to the bylaws was passed placing a limit of two academic semesters on neophyte
status. If, at the end of said time, a neophyte has not received a single-semester GPA of at least
2.5 or is otherwise ineligible for formal initiation, he will be deactivated from the fraternity.
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An amendment to the bylaws concerning the housing policy was passed, formally enforcing the
rule that every brother reside in the ATO house at some point for a minimum of three terms. A
drafting policy for getting brothers into the house was included in this amendment.
Vike 2005 (“Photos of the Chapter in Action,” 2005)
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ATO Cal Woodruff on the staff of the Quad
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ATO’s Will Butler, Patrick Cashio, and Zach Tatum on IFC
ATO Patrick Cashio on Quest II
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(“Photos of the Chapter in Action,” 2005)
Left to right: Jaime Isobe, David Faught, Zach Tatum
Left to right: Brad Wardman, Zach Tatum
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(“Photos of the Chapter in Action,” 2005 cont.)
Left to right: Doug Horvat, Zach Tatum
ATO Pledges load canned goods for the needy
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ATO Pledge Class 2004 – 2005, Top left to right: Kelly Grant, Aaron Edwards, Chuck Smith, Kyle Olack,
Milton Ragsdale; Bottom left to right: Matt Brown, Ian Cunningham, Chad LeCroix, David Branton, Paul Blom
Patrick Cashio getting thrown into a pool during Tug-O’-War in the Greek Games
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ATO Luau Party, Spring 2005, Standing in back: Matt Ellis; ATOs left to right: Paul Wheeler,
Kelly Grant, David Branton, Chuck Smith, [face too blurry to recognize], Chad LeCroix, Matt Dye
ATO Luau Party, Spring 2005, Top left to right: Mark Bentley, Adam, Zach Tatum, Webb Lyons,
Ryan Richardson, Wes Hughes, Jason Gruber; Bottom left to right: Patrick Lafollette, Cal Woodruff
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ATO Luau Party, Spring 2005
ATO Luau Party includes an outdoor pool, Spring 2005
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ATO Formal, “Stairwell to Brothers,” Spring 2005
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2006: BSC Celebrates the Sesquicentennial
May 6, 2006 was the Sesquicentennial Celebration for Birmingham-Southern Campus.
Numerous alumni visited and celebrated with faculty and current students. The activities
included booths on the dorm quad, a dinner on the academic quad, a series of speakers and
conferences, and the visitation of the fraternity houses by alumni.
2006 saw ATO, for the first time in several years, adopt a philanthropy service. On May 12,
2006, brothers bowled for two hours at Vestavia Hills after getting pledges for donations from
friends, family, faculty, and community members. The funds raised went to support Big Brothers
& Big Sisters.
Beta Beta donated 306.5 hours and $1,300 toward philanthropy work during the spring of 2006
through such activities as Big Brothers & Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, Firehouse Men’s
Shelter, BSC’s Sesquicentennial Festival, C9 Nonprofit Organization, KD Shamrock, and
volunteer work at the UAB hospital.
Over the course of the 2005-2006 school year, Beta Beta donated a total of 445 hours and $1,925
toward philanthropy work. With 30 members on the roster for the year, these figures average out
to 14.816 hours donated per member and $64.16 donated per member.
The following email—dated May17, 2006—is from Aaron Edwards, Philanthropy Chair 20062007, to the members of the chapter, explaining these figures: “Brothers, I have forwarded
Gary’s philanthropy report to the whole chapter, and I would like to point out a few key points of
it. Keep these things in mind, as they will be very helpful in our appeal. 1. The average service
hours per ATO brother (14.8) was higher than the average service hours for all Greek men
(12.7). 2. Our little bitty chapter was behind only Sigma Chi and Theta Chi for total number of
service hours. 3. For money raised per member, we were ahead of both SAE and Sigma Nu. If I
had known how much we raised for other events than the bowling thing, we probably could have
done even better, and this was our first attempt at a large philanthropy event in some time.
Thanks to all those who participated in the bowling event last weekend. It was a big success. We
managed to raise about $1300. –Aaron Edwards, Philanthropy Chair.”
Zach Daniel’s photo taken during Interim 2006 at Sea was used for the cover of the BSC Planner
for the 2006-2007 academic year.
In 2006, Birmingham was rated the 6th most dangerous city in the US. Also in 2006, BSC
conducted online registration for classes for the first time ever. This was done during the fall
registration for spring classes by a pilot group made of members of the Honors Program on Oct.
31, 2006. Online confirmation of spring classes was implemented for all current students on Feb.
5, 2007.
Pledges that joined in the fall of 2006: James Balchunas, Mike Barron, Carleson Dozier, Jerry
Flanary, Jacob Manning, Blake Scowden, Will Sparks, Daniel Studdard, Brandon Underwood,
Miles Vining, Charlie Whitehurst.
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Daniel Studdard de-pledged due to time conflicts with pledgeship. Will Sparks de-pledged due to
personal issues concerning pledgeship. Both were quickly convinced to re-join pledgeship within
a matter of days. Dan Studdard had several conflicts and problems due to his not following the
directions of his pledge trainers. He was given a formal warning and signed a statement agreeing
that another infraction against Beta Beta’s new member education program would be considered
as his decision to de-pledge. Although no such event occurred, soon after signing this form, Dan
Studdard informed his pledge trainers that he was de-pledging. Jerry Flanary de-pledged due to
personal issues, and Mike Barron de-pledged due to conflicts with his fellow new members.
Sophomore Andrew Sims transferred to Birmingham-Southern as an active brother from the
chapter at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee and is currently an active brother of Beta
Beta Chapter.
On Sunday, September 17, the day after Men’s Bid Day, Worthy Master Ryan Richardson got
into an altercation with a friend and suitemate of Jordan Amirkhani, current Beta Beta
Sweetheart. This female is to remain anonymous. During that incident, Ryan, in response to
repeated verbal abuse and attacks on his character and the nature of his sexuality, acted without
thinking and slapped this girl in the face once, an act completely unrepresentative of his—or this
chapter’s—character. A police report was filed with the BSC campus police, and Ryan confessed
to his actions and expressed his deepest remorse. During an open meeting of the Executive
Council the following night, Ryan explained the situation and expressed his apologies to the
chapter. In accordance with campus policy, Ryan was temporarily banned from campus other
than for academic engagements or other scheduled and approved activities. In order to extricate
himself from the chapter and avoid having the chapter’s reputation from being harmed, as well as
because of his being banned from campus, he temporarily stepped down from office. J. Wesley
Hughes, Worthy Marshall, took over office while retaining his title as Worthy Marshall until
Ryan’s Social Council hearing. It was decided that, should Ryan’s capacity to lead this chapter
be challenged, a majority +1 vote of the Executive Council would be necessary in order to
reinstate him as acting President. Should that vote fail, normal election policy would take place
in order to name a new Worthy Master with Wesley Hughes automatically nominated if he was
willing to seek the position. If no challenges to Ryan’s leadership capability were to arise, Ryan
would automatically be reinstated to his former position following the hearing with the Social
Council. The Executive Council and the entire chapter voiced its determination to carry on with
the demands of the fraternity no matter what happened.
The events of the Social Council hearing led to a demand that Ryan remain out of power until
October 23, the day all BSC students returned from Fall Break. Until that time, Ryan was the
unofficial head of the fraternity, with all actions or official or public duties of the President
presided over by J. Wesley Hughes. For this reason, power among the Executive Council was
shifted, and Bob Kress, Worthy Chaplain, became acting head of the Judicial Board for the
chapter, the position normally reserved for the Vice President, until Ryan was automatically
reinstated after Fall Break.
Two different altercations took place during the weekend of Men’s Bid Day between members of
the Beta Beta chapter and members of Theta Chi. A third altercation took place a week after
Men’s Bid Day, the night of Friday September 22, when a few new members of ATO visited the
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Theta Chi house to see friends who were new members of Theta Chi. Active members eventually
told them to leave, physically escorting them to the basement and toward Theta Chi’s back door.
New member Miles Vining was shoved and pushed a Theta Chi active away, turned to leave, and
as he began to exit, “gave them the finger.” According to reports, several Theta Chi actives
attacked Miles, knocking him to the ground, punching him, and kicking him. Other ATO new
members fought off these attackers, pushing them away, and helped Miles escape. Blood vessels
in one eye were busted, and a large knot appeared the next day on his head. These events were
reported to the Social Council.
On Friday, September 29, new member Miles Vining got into an argument with a girl outside the
Attic on the BSC campus. This girl, who he was then dating, later reported that he grabbed her
arm and bruised it, which could not be corroborated. Two days later, on Sunday October 1, he
approached her in her room to apologize. When she began yelling at him, he yelled back. The
argument ended with his leaving the dorm. Three other freshmen girls found the girl crying.
When she explained everything that had happened, the girls contacted the RA’s and House
Manager, who contacted campus security, who contacted Birmingham Police. Miles was taken
downtown and arrested—without a warrant—and kept in a holding cell overnight, causing his
mother to bail him out for about one thousand dollars. Miles was temporarily banned from
campus until his Social Council hearing, at which point all facts came to light. Both Miles’s
Social Council hearing and his hearing the chapter’s Judicial Board took place on October 5,
with Bob Kress presiding due to the shift in power of the Executive Council following Worthy
Master Richardson’s social hearing. Miles attended the J-Board meeting immediately after his
Social Council hearing, gave the board a brief statement and apology. He also reported that the
school’s official statement is that “Miles Vining is in fine standing with Birmingham-Southern
College.” The general perception is that the entire matter was blown out of proportion and
Birmingham city authorities should never have been involved. Miles apologized to the girl
involved, the school, and the chapter. No further action was deemed necessary.
Ben Perkins [Beta Beta] holds posters of patients at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital (The Hilltop, Oct. 23, 2006).
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“Up ‘til Dawn is a student-led fundraiser on college campuses across the country which raises
donations for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Birmingham-Southern is among the
ranks of over 100 participating college campuses nationwide that are helping raise funds to aid in
the fight against childhood cancer. ..team members write handwritten letter to different people
they know, asking them to donate money to St. Jude ..... Participants in this fundraiser are mostly
Greek organizations as well as some of the residence halls, RUF and Wesley Fellowship” (The
Hilltop, Oct. 23, 2006).
Chad LeCroix, [Beta Beta] dressed as Wolverine, bares his claws and
snarls at the camera (The Hilltop, Nov. 6, 2006).
“Halloween on the Hilltop was held on Tuesday, Oct. 31 on the dorm quad. Students dressed up
and hosted Halloween activities for neighborhood families” (The Hilltop, Nov. 6,2006).
Aaron Edwards, Head Pledge Trainer, Worthy Sentinel, and Philanthropy Chair, served a term
from December 2005 to December 2006 as the Interfraternity Council’s Vice President of
Communications during which he began a newsletter for IFC that was sent out periodically to the
student body, alumni, and members of the BSC administrations. President Ryan Richardson,
served a term on the Interfraternity Council as Vice President of Programming during the same
period and organized IFC’s involvement in every major event in which they participated such as
Halloween on the Hilltop, the Let’s Get Rowdy Festival celebrating BSC’s Sesquicentennial
Anniversary, etc. David Vanlandingham, Assistant Social Chair and Worthy Scribe, served as
IFC’s representative to the Panhellenic Council during that same period as well.
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During the IFC officer elections held in December 2006, Paul Blom, Worthy Keeper of the
Annals and Alumni Relations Chair as well as former ATO Junior Delegate to IFC, was elected
to the position of Vice President of the Judiciary, the highest office on IFC other than IFC
President.
For the first time in at least five years, ATO had an organized and consistent record of
participation in an intramural sport during the fall of 2006. Zach Tatum organized a soccer team
and was captain along with his co-captain, Paul Blom. Other players included: Aaron Edwards,
Jason Gruber, Edwin Robinson, Blake Scowden, James Balchunas, Mark Dempsey, Andrew
Sims, Jacob Manning, and David Vanlandingham. ATO made it to the finals but lost and
received fourth place. However, with a regular group of players, regular practices, and planned
plays, the chapter achieved newfound morale and also regularly participated in intramural touch
football as well.
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New members Carleson Dozier and Will Sparks threatened to de-pledge a few weeks after
Shipwreck. This threat caused a chain reaction among the pledge class in which one person
would de-pledge if the first two left and another would leave if this third person left, etc. Worthy
Master Richardson, after speaking with ATO Nationals and BSC administration, deemed that the
pledges had already fulfilled all requirements determined by both institutions and, by executive
decision, ordered their immediate formal initiations the following week. Expecting anger and
resentment from the rest of the chapter, Ryan offered his resignation as Worthy Master
simultaneously with his executive order for the pledges’ initiation. However, after much
explanation and heated discussion, the resignation was unanimously refused by the chapter and
the order was reluctantly accepted, with general consensus being that Ryan had no other choice
in the matter than to do what he did.
Prior to their initiation, the pledges signed agreements that they would only participate in the
formal initiation ceremonies if they truly believed that their grades at the end of the semester
would allow them to be worthy, according to chapter by-laws, of being initiated as a fully active
member. If their grades did not merit such initiation, they would automatically be placed on
neophyte status even if they had already participated in the formal initiation ceremonies.
Although several aspects of pledge education were renovated this past year, the system is going
to be completely recreated for the fall of 2007. The goals and purposes of pledgeship will be
evaluated and prioritized until a safe and positive pledge education system can be created that
will be conducive to the learning environment of BSC but will also continue to embrace and
uphold the values and traditions of Alpha Tau Omega.
Elton B. Stephens Expressway, named in honor of Elton B. Stephens,
Beta Beta, Class of 1932 (The Hilltop)
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157
Tyler Sasser-Cook
John Mark Mitchell
Jaime Isobe
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Matt Dye
David Faught
Adam Brasher
Will Butler
Paul Wheeler
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Chuck Smith at the Car-Smash at the Sesquicentennial Celebration.
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ATO Pledge Dance 2005
Ian Cunningham on a Service Interim, January 2006
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Ian Cunningham on Service Interim, January 2006
ATO’s talking in the ATO basement after a Chapter meeting
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Left to right: Ryan Richardson, Zach Daniel, John Mark Mitchell, Cal Woodruff in the ATO basement
ATO’s talking in the ATO basement after a Chapter meeting.
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Left to right: Edwin Robinson and Bob Kress play ping pong in the ATO basement.
Bob Kress (back) and Edwin Robinson (front) play ping pong in the ATO basement.
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Left to right: Bob Kress, Zach Daniel, Edwin Robinson, Cal Woodruff, Ryan Richardson,
John Mark Mitchell outside the ATO House
Left to right: Chad LeCroix, Chuck Smith, Cal Woodruff dressed up for St. Patrick’s Day, 2006
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Left to right: Chuck Smith, Bob Kress, Aaron Edwards, Paul Blom, Jason Gruber,
Chad LeCroix at the ATO Formal, “Stairwell to Brothers,” 2006
Top left to right: Patrick Lafollette, Jaime Isobe, Brian Miller, Miller Hamrick, Nick Crovo, Ben Perkins,
Mark Dempsey, Bob Kress, Jason Gruber, Mark Bentley, Chuck Smith; Middle left to right: Maz
Mulla, Edwin Robinson, Ian Cunningham, Aaron Edwards, Paul Blom, David Vanlandingham;
Front left to right: Matt Dye, Chad LeCroix at the ATO Formal, “Stairwell to Brothers,” 2006
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Left to right: Chuck Smith, Bob Kress, Paul Blom, Aaron Edwards, Chad
LeCroix at the ATO Formal, “Stairwell to Brothers,” 2006
ATO’s and their dates at the ATO Formal, “Stairwell to Brothers,” 2006
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Left to right: Aaron Edwards, David Vanlandingham, Ian Cunningham in the ATO basement.
ATO’s going out to dinner in Birmingham at a homestyle restaurant
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ATO’s going out to dinner in Birmingham at a
homestyle restaurant with Sweetheart Jordan Amirkhani
ATO’s going out to dinner in Birmingham at a homestyle restaurant
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Left to right: Ian Cunningham and Nick Crovo on Men’s Bid Day, 2006
Left to right: Maz Mulla, Cal Woodruff, Ryan Richardson in “the ATO spot” outside Norton Campus Center
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Left to right: Aaron Edwards, Cal Woodruff, Jason Gruber,
Patrick Cashio, Will Butler, dressed up for a Prohibition-themed party
Left to right: David Vanlandingham, Chuck Smith, Zach Tatum spell out part of
“Losethrop!” in a spoof on Winthrop, BSC’s Homecoming opponent, at Homecoming 2006
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Left to right: David Vanlandingham, Ian Cunningham, Chuck Smith, Zach Tatum, and Maz Mulla spell out
Left to right: Chuck Smith, Zach Tatum, and Maz Mulla spell out part of
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ATO was paired with the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority for Homecoming 2006.
Together they decorated the ATO House as part of the Homecoming Spirit Competition.
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Left to right: Will Butler, Patrick Cashio, Will Granger
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An ATO “Work Party,” during which the Chapter cleans the house
Left to right: Zeta Tau Alpha members Mandy Field and Lauren Maisel with Chad LeCroix
outside Norton Campus Center. Lauren Maisel was voted as the ATO Sweetheart for the
2007 year.
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ATO Pledge Dance, 2006
Left to right: Charlie Whitehurst, partially costumed as Liono from Thundercats and
James Balchunas costumed as a penguin for ATO’s Halloween Party, 2006
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Aaron Edwards costumed as Elton John for ATO’s Halloween Party, 2006
Left to right: Aaron Edwards costumed as Elton John and Chuck Smith costumed as
Robert Goulet for ATO’s Halloween Party, 2006
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Left to right: ATO’s Chad LeCroix and Chuck Smith at the ATO/Kappa Delta Toga Mixer, 2006
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The End of an Era: Shipwreck Replaces Vike
Due to sanctions received during the 2005-2006 school year, the Beta Beta Chapter of ATO is no
longer allowed to hold the Viking Party or any other party incorporating such aspects of Vike as
fur costumes, pine-covered walls, or a marshmallow pit. Debate ensued during spring, summer,
and early fall of 2006 over what kind of event should be held to replace Vike, a daunting
challenge, indeed. The list of suggested replacement events included: a Beta Beta Help Week, a
major philanthropic event such as a Renaissance Festival, or parties with themes such as pirates
or Woodstock. However, taking cue from several other chapters that no longer hold, or have
never held, a Viking Party, the Beta Beta Chapter finally adopted the Shipwreck Party as Vike’s
replacement. This party has been a major annual event at several other chapters since at least the
1950’s, thus actually predating Viking.
Annual Shipwreck Party at Vanderbilt in 1952 (PALM, 1952)
Although this party will no longer take place among this chapter, the Viking Party began here at
BSC and quickly became not only the largest and most popular annual party held by any single
organization on this campus but also became the major annual party held by almost all other
ATO chapters across the nation. It was created by the Beta Beta Chapter at BSC in 1963 and was
held every fall for the next forty-two years. It is still a major event at other campuses, and the
mark it has left on our chapter and on the ATO national fraternity is permanent. Thus, it is well
worth noting the traditions and preparations that went into creating this event each year before
outlining the preparations for Shipwreck.
The pledge class of 2002-2003 constructed the wooden cutout of a Viking that has since been
prominently placed at each Viking party. This Viking is still displayed during major events such
as Shipwreck and Men’s Bid Day. This pledge class was also the first pledge class to prepare for
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Vike to be held in the new house on the newly constructed Frat Row near Striplin Fitness Center.
They drilled holes in large panels of plywood and had large metal screws permanently placed
along the tops of the walls in the basement of the ATO house. Each year, these panels can be
hung from these screws by sliding the holes over the screws, thus covering all of the cinderblock
walls with plywood. Chicken wire is then stapled to the plywood until all areas are covered with
the loosely-hanged wire.
These preparations usually began on the Sunday prior to Vike, which has been a two-night party
taking place on Friday and Saturday. A band is always hired for Saturday night and usually for
Friday as well. New members and active members alike work together nonstop from the Sunday
prior until the moment of Friday night’s party. Any free time outside of class or doing
schoolwork is allotted for preparing for the party. The same time commitment is vital for
Shipwreck.
One or two nights are dedicated to collecting fresh pine branches from nearby pine trees. These
branches were slid through the chicken wire on the walls until, slowly but surely, all of the walls
were covered with thick green pine straw and not a single speck of the actual walls or plywood
could be seen. The floor of the basement is covered with several inches of woodchips with the
exception of inside the bathrooms, behind the bar, and the area of floor space taken up by the
stages on which the band must play.
Any area of walls not covered with pine, was covered with black plastic sheeting or black trash
bags to minimize the conspicuousness of such areas. Sandbags were lined along the doorways
and other such places to divide between areas covered and not covered with woodchips.
Sandbags could also be piled upon one another in an ovular shape, lined with a tarp, and then
filled with warm water and marshmallows in order to create a marshmallow pit. During some
years, a kiddy pool was purchased and filled as an alternative to sandbags. Sandbags forming the
walls and underside of the pit are preferable.
Thin trunks of saplings and other such logs were used to construct a wooden covering for the bar
itself to create the illusion that the bar was wooden and archaic, and more logs were used to
create archways around the doors to the basement. Other long, thin logs could be sharpened and
stuck in the ground along the back patio, filling the back yard with wooden pikes or rough
wooden fences. However, these had to be tall enough so as to avoid the possibility of people
stumbling and falling atop the sharpened ends.
At the end of each night’s work during Vike Week, the week dedicated to the party’s
preparation, new members would be taught various chants or cheers used at Vike. One such
chant, RRPB, would be chanted by the new members as they ran through the house, banging on
the bedroom doors of sleeping brothers and ending in a cheer on the front lawn. New members
were also encouraged to guess the meaning of FLD, another Vike saying that appears on the
wooden Viking along with RRPB.
On the Thursday prior to the party, Vike Dinner would he held. All ATO’s would gather at the
ATO house and walk across campus and to the cafeteria together, chanting RRPB as loud as
possible, at least until approaching academic buildings. At the cafeteria, everyone would
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purchase dinner, choosing some meal that would normally be eaten with utensils. They would
gather at a single table in the cafeteria and, once all were present, the President would ask a
question adapted from the movie Conan the Barbarian: “Gentlemen, what is good in Vike?” The
response comes from the same source, and the rest of the chapter would loudly answer: “To
crush one’s enemies, to see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentations of their women!
That is what is good in Vike!” With this, the chapter would begin eating, but they could not eat
with utensils or even their hands. Typically, all members stop shaving about a month before Vike
Week in order to begin looking the part of a Viking. Also, the increased amount of facial hair
creates hands-free eating at Vike Dinner to be all the more interesting and entertaining. Along
with flyers handed out once or twice the week prior to Vike Week and also handed out during
each night of Vike Week, Vike Dinner always got the Viking Party a good deal of campus
publicity.
Vike Dinner 2005 (“Photos of the Chapter in Action,”
2005)
That night, after at least most of the final preparations were complete, the chapter would gather
together in the basement and watch Conan the Barbarian and participate in other ritual activities
to get into the true wild and free spirit of Vike. Friday night’s party was always an open party
during which people came in normal social attire. Usually, a band would be hired, but this party
was mostly a prologue to the true Vike party which would take place Saturday night. It helped to
get people further into the sprit of Vike and also helped to spread the word for girls to come on
Saturday night.
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Saturday night’s party was closed to ATO brothers and alumni, possibly a few very close friends,
and girls who were invited. The girls would gather together in a neighboring basement, either
Kappa Alpha or Sigma Nu usually, and begin learning their Vike songs and chants while the
ATO’s made final preparations and learned their own songs and chants in the ATO basement.
Anyone attending the party could be dressed only in fur—real or fake. When the time finally
came, the men and women would meet halfway between houses and sing songs and chant chants
back and forth until the men would finally run over, throw a date over their shoulder and run
back into the ATO basement. Once all were inside the basement, the girls sang the last song,
“The Twelve Days of Vike,” adapted from “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” but with each day
referring back to a specific person in the fraternity or some other event specific to that year.
Then, the greatest and wildest party in the history of BSC would truly begin. The clean-up for
Vike took at least all of the following Sunday, but random pieces of fur could be spotted
anywhere across campus for at least a week after the party. New members traditionally fill a
glass bottle with woodchips during the clean-up as a souvenir from their first Vike Party.
Vike 2005 (“Photos of the Chapter in Action,” 2005)
While the purpose of the Viking party was to transform the basement into a Viking feast hall, the
purpose of the Shipwreck party is to transform the basement into a desert island or tropical
paradise. It is not a pirate party. The details of Shipwreck were inspired by other chapters’
preparations for their own Shipwreck party along with incorporating their own ideas and
traditions into their own version of Shipwreck.
As in preparation for Vike, the walls of the basement of the ATO house were completely covered
with black plastic sheeting or black trash bags. However, beneath the black plastic, white net
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Christmas lights were hung along the walls from the metal screws that run along the top of the
walls in the basement. The white bulbs were then poked through the black plastic to create the
effect of a black night sky filled with white stars. Although time and resources did not allow, it
was suggested that landscapes be somehow drawn or constructed along the lower portions of the
walls such as palm trees and sand dunes or ocean waves, etc.
The original plan included covering the floor of the basement with sand. However, sand is much
more expensive than wood chips which were always used to cover the floor for Vike. Also, it
would take much more sand to cover the same area that wood chips had once covered, the entire
floor of the basement other than behind the bar, inside the bathrooms, and the area of floor taken
up by the stages on which a hired band plays. Sand is also much more difficult to clean up and
would require tarps to be placed on the floor beneath the sand. It would be much more difficult
to walk through, less stable, would get kicked up into people’s eyes and refreshments during the
party. Thus, wood chips were adopted for use during Shipwreck. Brothers that remembered Vike
reminisced that the wood chips gave off an aroma that allowed for a bit of Vike to live on
through Shipwreck.
Instead of covering the bar with pine logs, a tiki bar was constructed out of freshly-cut bamboo
logs. A bamboo wall was made to cover the entire front of the bar along with a swinging door of
bamboo across the entrance to get to the area behind the bar. A roof of bamboo and bamboo
leaves was constructed over that area and a window was cut into the wall through which to serve
refreshments from the bar. Leftover bamboo was cut into cups and used at the Shipwreck party
and kept as souvenirs as replacements for the glass bottles once kept as Vike souvenirs by new
members.
However, most of the leftover bamboo was used as added decorations stuck in corners of the
basement as well as around the large pool of hot water on the back patio. This pool was made
from sandbags in the same method of the marshmallow pits from Vike and located in the same
area. Hoses were connected to the kitchen sink on the main floor of the ATO house. Hot water
ran through these hoses and out into bamboo poles that hung out of windows on the main floor
and above the entryways into the basement. The hot water ran out of the hoses and out of holes
cut in the bamboo poles to create warm waterfalls through which guests must walk to get to the
party. The pool was positioned so that one of these waterfalls fell into it as well.
While the main focus of effort for Vike had been in covering the walls with pine branches, the
main focus of effort for Shipwreck was in the construction of the wooden ship at the back
entrance of the basement. An independent theatre tech major named Alex McConnell helped
design and lead construction for this ship, which was built to look like the back half of a ship, as
though a full ship wrecked into the back of the ATO house. Holes are cut in each side of the ship
so guests may actually enter the ship and walk through it in order to get to one of the entrances to
the basement.
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Blueprint for the ship used during the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party at BSC, courtesy of Alex McConnell
Since the ship is mostly intact and has been saved for posterity, future Shipwreck parties will
require less time and money for which to prepare. However, the ship can be added to, the pool
can be expanded, and many more details can be added such as tiki huts, island plant life, other
ship parts, and other decorations made from bamboo. All in all, the first annual Shipwreck party
was a great success, but it can always be improved. In many ways, the legacy of Vike lives on
through Shipwreck, held during the first weekend of November, the same time of year that Beta
Beta always held Vike.
RRPB and FLD continues to be mysterious as the wooden Viking looks over preparations for
Shipwreck and the party itself. A hot tub has replaced the marshmallow pit and a starry sky has
replaced pine walls. The wood chips persist and the bar is made of bamboo rather than pine logs.
The chants and cheers learned by new members during Vike persist, as do the Thursday and
Friday night rituals. Vike Dinner is now Shipwreck Dinner, and Conan the Barbarian still helps
brothers get into the sprit of the party. Flyers still go out the week prior and every single night of
Shipwreck Week.
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Flyer used to advertise the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party at BSC, 2006
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Flyer used to advertise the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party at BSC, 2006
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For the first Shipwreck party, brothers felt that having a two-night party might be expecting too
much for Shipwreck’s BSC debut, and letting people see the basement on Friday might spoil the
surprise and excitement for Saturday. For this reason, Shipwreck was limited to its full week of
nonstop preparation and Saturday night’s closed party. However, due to stricter rules of the
college, closed parties are mostly open to everyone on campus anyway. Instead of fur, people are
expected to wear the torn and stained and makeshift clothing of castaways or island natives:
Castaway meets Lost meets Gilligan’s Island.
The girls still show up early to gather in a basement next door, and now as we open the party,
they sing “The Twelve Days of Shipwreck.” And the fun is still just as wild and crazy as ever.
Although we have followed our sanctions in every way mandated by both the school and the
national fraternity, Vike still lives on in some of the smallest and yet most meaningful ways.
Pledges Brandon Underwood, James Balchunas, and Jacob Manning practice their R.R.P.B. chant as they gear up
for the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party, 2006 (“Photos of the Chapter in Action,” 2006).
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Left to right: Pledges Miles Vining and James Balchunas cut wood for the first annual Shipwreck Party, 2006.
Left to right: Pledges Daniel Studdard and Miles Vining cut bamboo for the bamboo hut and the
bamboo walls for the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party, 2006.
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Left to right: Social Affiliate Jonathan Smith and ATO Paul Blom costumed for
the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party, 2006.
Bamboo hut constructed over bar during the 1st Annual Shipwreck Party, 2006
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Closing
I began this work encumbered by the paradoxical premise that history is a fiction. For in fact, no
single event means the exact same thing to any two people, just as no two people are exactly
alike. And yet, particular events can have similar impacts on a large group of people just as a
large group of people can be bound together in a brotherhood based upon principles that they all
deem eternal and immutable. Different events may interpreted by various individuals in varying
manners, but the events all share a common significance. In this work, I have simply tried to
collect the fact of every event that has accumulated into the history of the Beta Beta Chapter of
the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity. However, our chapter’s history involves more than a series of
classes enjoying each other’s company in a chapter house. It involves the National Alpha Tau
Omega Fraternity and Birmingham-Southern College, and thus Southern University and
Birmingham College. But it also includes the history of this nation and of this entire globe, of
which we are all a part.
Brother Cal Woodruff was the first person to inform me of the existence of the position of
Chapter Historian, which is a duty of the Worthy Keeper of the Annals that has been largely
neglected for years. He may not have known it at the time, but that single simple conversation
inspired in me a newfound interest in and passion for this chapter, and this work would never
have even been begun were it not for him.
Without the assistance and support of the rest of the Beta Beta Chapter and its alumni this work
would not have been possible. I am also indebted to the faculty and administration of
Birmingham-Southern College and the National Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity.
I have gone through several various books and histories, taking excerpts or paraphrasing in order
to save space. I have scanned and inserted various photographs in hope to further illustrate the
events of the past one hundred and fifty years.
The only issues of The ATO PALM that were available were found in the attic of the ATO house
during the spring of 2006. They began with the year 1943 and went up to and included the year
1969. However, a few years within that range were missing as well.
The Birmingham-Southern College annual yearbooks were mostly available in the BSC library
along with a few that were not available there but were found by Brother Chuck Smith during a
yearbook giveaway at the Sesquicentennial Festival. He found them and took them to add to the
house’s collection of yearbooks. Of the yearbooks themselves, I used every ATO group page or
composite from every yearbook available, along with the photos and information for every senior
listed as an ATO for that year, thus hoping to eventually include information for every ATO up
to the present year. I also stumbled upon some other assorted items of interest in those
yearbooks, and those made it into the history as well. The yearbooks available began with the
first school year after the consolidation of Southern University and Birmingham College—and
thus the first school year for Birmingham-Southern College—which was the 1918-1919 school
year. Since the year was 1918-1919 and yearbooks are released in the spring, at the end of the
academic year, the first yearbook, then is the 1919 yearbook. So the 1919 annual refers to the
1918-1919 academic year, and so on. The annuals are continuous up to the most current year,
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2006, with the following exceptions being years for which annuals were not available: 1920,
1921, 1925, 1935, 1940, 1943, 1962, and 1986. From 1919 up to and including 1941, the BSC
annual was titled La Revue. Beginning with the 1942 volume and continuing up to the current
year, the title has been Southern Accent.
I am also indebted specifically to Raymond F. Askew who visited the ATO house during the
Sesquicentennial Celebration and offered his assistance as well as several photos of the chapter
circa 1955-1956. Also deserving my gratitude is Allen O’Dell who visited the chapter house in
January of 2007 inquiring about a scrapbook concerning the KA flag-burning incident of 1957.
His story prompted me to search the attic and storage rooms for this missing scrapbook and
further resources. Although we never found that scrapbook, his information provided a valuable
and formerly untold story to this history.
Along with yearbooks, I also used a few photos from local Birmingham newspapers or the
Birmingham-Southern College newspaper, The Hilltop News, which was renamed simply The
Hilltop at the beginning of the 2006-2007 academic year. Furthermore, the most recent years are
largely illustrated by photos taken by members of the chapter, photos which have been kindly
lent to me for this specific use and are part of a collection commonly referred to as “Photos of
the Chapter in Action.”
Over the past year, I have discovered a past that I never knew existed. I can see names on
plaques in the ATO house and picture their faces from studying these photographs. I go through
the tedious work of school and feel downtrodden, only to remember that the ATO’s of whom I
have read have now succeeded although they once walked the same paths I walk now.
If anything, I have learned that history does live on. In Intruder in the Dust, Faulkner said
something to the effect of: “Tomorrow is just part of today, and today began a thousand years
ago.” I offer my humblest and sincerest thanks to all of those who have helped me in compiling
this history and all those who gave me the honor of being the one to do it. And I thank all those
who played a part in the events that formed this history, both from an historian’s perspective and
also from a brother’s perspective. Thank you for making our chapter what it is today.
And now, a call to action. This history can be added to. An appendix, a second volume even.
Every event can be investigated further. There are missing years for yearbooks and issues of The
ATO PALM. Records in Greensboro, site of Southern University, have not yet been delved into.
And not only can we further inquire into the events of the past, but we must persevere to make
our present actions count toward a brilliant future. We are making history at every moment, and
someone must be there to record it for future generations of Alpha Taus. An editorial in a 1944
issue of the ATO PALM states the necessity to be currently and constantly recording present
events for posterity:
Every chapter in our Fraternity should now be collecting all sorts of material
recording, or in any way bearing on, the history of that chapter. ... It should be the
determined and already busy purpose of the actives and the alumni of each
chapter not only to supply the Central Office with whatever information it
requests. They should be building up a store of all facts and events concerning the
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chapter and its members during these eventful years. It is fairly safe to say that
when life is again normal, every chapter will wish to have in its records a full
story of what was done by or to it. Unless such material is gathered and recorded
now, while events are happening or are still clearly in mind, much will be lost or
forgotten and the story, when finally written, will lack much of the value and
interest that it should have. (PALM, 64.4, Dec. 1944)
I can only hope that this history offers a fraction of the honor deserved to each and every
member—past, present, and future; pledge, neophyte, active, or alumnus; living or dead—of this
esteemed brotherhood. It has been a long and arduous task compiling this history, much more
than I expected when I began almost exactly one year ago, but I wouldn’t have traded it for the
world. Like they say about pledgeship, “It’s the most fun you’ll never want to have again.”
In the end, it’s 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
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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 BirminghamSouthern 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).
193
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.
194
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 BirminghamSouthern 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 AfricanAmerican 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. BirminghamSouthern 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.
195
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.
196
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 II. Please see Volume I to read the beginning of this document.
197

The Official History of the Beta-Beta Chapter of the

Transcription

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