The History of Iowa Gamma

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THE DRAGON SOCIETY

In September of 1903, twelve Iowa State students led by William Kersher met for the purpose of forming a local fraternity. The objective of the fraternity was to “ develop its members mentally, morally, and socially.” At the second meeting a week later, the group adopted the name ‘ Dragon Society', drafted a constitution, elected officers, and adopted a design for their pin, which was made of gold and shaped like a kite. The pin was edged with small perls and on the face appeared a fierce looking dragon. Its unveiling caused “ quite a stir around campus” as “such a beautiful and unusual pin was a rarity in that day.”

The organization was at the time publicly described as a club, as secret fraternities were still banned to college president Beardshear's action in 1891. But early in 1904, new president A.B. Storms lifted the ban under student urging and the existence of a housing shortage on campus. During the 1903-04 year, Sigma Nu became the first national fraternity on campus, and several other local societies were formed, which later evolved into the Iowa State chapters of Kappa Sigma, Alpha Tau Omega, and Phi Delta Theta fraternities and the Pi Beta Phi and Alpha Delta Pi sororities.

Dragon meetings during the 1903-1904 year were held in the homes of Ames-resident members. In March of 1904, a three man housing committee was formed, and a large house west of campus was secured for the next school year. In the fall of 1904, Dragon Jay Lamber '09 persuaded his father, a wealthy Newton businessman, and an insurance company to jointly loan the group $10,000 for the construction of a fraternity building. The large white colonnaded house, which was later occupied by both the Farmhouse and Alpha Sigma Phi fraternities, remains today at 2717 West Street .

 

IOWA GAMMA RISES FROM THE ASHES OF THE DRAGON SOCIETY

Dragon William H. Smith '06 met on campus an old acquaintance by the name of Milton P. Jarnigan, whom at the time was a graduated student, having previously graduated from the University of Tennessee , where he was a member of the Tennessee Kappa Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Jarnigan had been encouraged by SAE Eminent Supreme Recorder (ESR) William C. Levere to form an SAE chapter in Iowa .

With Jarnigan's encouragement, the Dragons prepared a petition for charter from SAE. The petition was sent to Levere in the spring of 1905. Levere, however, was astonished when he discovered that a serious mistake had been made; he thought Jarnigan was at the University of Iowa , not a ‘cow college' such as Iowa State . Dragons Fred P. Collison '06 and Clarence A. Mahanke '05 and Jarnigan took the petition to theAf SAE convention in Memphis , where it was subsequently rejected due to the location mistake. Levere, however was able to have the petition referred to the Supremem Council for further study. Later that year, he and SAE National Treasurer H.C. Kimball took the train to Ames , and upon seeing plans for a new house and the high caliber of Dragons, the charter was subsequently granted, making SAE the second national fraternity on campus.

 

LEVERE PAYS A VISIT TO AMES

After visiting Ames , ESR William C. Levere recorded his thoughts as follows: “No one who has ever visited Ames can quite speak or write of it calmly. The temptation to describe the campus as the most beautiful in America is almost irresistible. The stately and magnificent buildings that are clustered on the great stretch of green are in themselves a liberal educationm. The poetic campanile, with its sweet-toned chimes, spells out dreams and visions of romance and beauty. The young manhood that swarms the campus is stalwartly American, with a spirit that impresses you as being sweiftly and keenly in the earnest. There are fourteen hundred of them, virile, eager, the scions of that new nobility found in American democracy.”

The installation ceremony for the new chapter was held on June 3, 1905 , as 25 neophytes were initiated in aceremony held in the upstairs chambers of a Main Street store. The installing officers from SAE included: Levere, Jarnigan; Frederick Poyneer (Iowa Beta, EDA); Walter McNally (Wisconsin Alpha); Edward Rule (Iowa Beta, EH); and Lyle Jeffers (Iowa Beta, EW).

According to the accounts of Lever, “Those who were present will never forget the joys of the evening. The speeches were inspirirng and the songs were sugn with the vim of veteran Greeks. The chimes in the old campanile were sounding a late ho9ur whent the two busloads of brothers in Sigma Alpha Epsilon, the new and old, swung toward the chapter-house. The stars that smiled above heard songs and yells new to the campus, but as hearty as if they had been sung there for a thousand years. That they will be sung there for a thousand years and more no one can doubt who know the fiber of our new Iowa Gamma.”

Iowa Gamma had become the 94 th chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon anhd the third chapter chartered in Iowa . The first officers of the chapter were: Eminent Archon Fred Sloane '06; Eminent Deputy Archon Guy Kenny '06; and Eminent Recorder Carl E. Frudden. The new chapter house was occupied in September of 1905 and remained occupied, except for a period during World War I, when the house was taken over for the quartering of Army Transportation Corps troops.

 

THE ‘ MAYTAG MANSION ' 

The fraternity's growth led in the early 1920's to the formation of a housing committee consisting of Dr. C.A> Iverson, Chester D. Lee '27, Louis K. Thompson '26, W. Glenn Johnson '15, and Mr. Riceput. Upon securing a $6,000 challenge gift from Maytag President and Iowa Gamma alumnus Louis B. Maytag '10, ground was broken at 140 Lynn Avenue on June 6, 1928 . At the time of purchase, the fraternity owned the land surrounding the chapter house from Lynn Avenue east to Ash Avenue and as far south as the Theta House. Construction was completed in the spring of 1928 at a cost of $46,000. That equates to nearly $3.2 million in todays dollars.

The new chapter house, which accommodated 28 men, was known for many years simply as ‘The Maytag Mansion '. The magnificent new facility was constructed of stone and brick and adorned with a multi-colored slate roof. One of its most popular freatures was the billiards room, which was converted into the chapter library and dedicated to Dr. Chester D. Lee in 1956. A beautiful stained glass window featuring the SAE crest was later added to the billiards room. The new residence also included a maid's quarters and guestroom for visiting alumni and freatured the latest Pella roll-screen windows.

The alumni spared no expense when it came to furnishing their new fraternity. The original receipt totaling $3,758.80 from Younker Brothers included items succha s: a grand piano, English wing charis covered with russet mohair and three large davenports. The only piece of original furniture remaining today is the antque oak Charles II long table, which sits behind the sofa today, just as it did in 1929.

The purchase of the grand piano proved to be one of the fraternity's best investements. For it was during his college years at Iowa Gamma in the early 1930's that Brother Paul Gnam '32 and two of his friends composed the words for what would later become known as the ‘Fight Song' at Iowa State University.

 

THE WAR YEARS 

In 1935, the chapter retired the large silver traveling trophy for the overall fraternity intramural championship, having won it three years in a row. During World War II, the house was taken over to be used as a girl's dormitory, since the Navy had occupied the residence halls. SAE was the only house to remain active during the war, with only one member on campus. It was during thse lean years that much of the land abutting the chapter house was sold in order to raise the funds to pay the fraternities property taxes.

 

HORSE TALES

Upon the conclusion of World War II, membership swelled at Iowa Gamma as war verterans returned to Ames to take advantage of the GI Bill. The 1940's and 1950's were the hey day for fraternities at Iowa State and throughout the country. In 1949, the chapter fell under intense scrutiny form the ISU administration when it was discovered that the new pledge class had electrocuted an old horse (which was destined for the Ames Rendering Company) in the living room of the chapter house.

Intended as a prank in connection with the pledges' ‘walk out', the chapter was nearly banned from campus had it not been for the efforts of chapter advisor “Chick” Lee. A respected member of the faculty for the College of Veterinary Medicine , Lee (Whose nickname, “Chick”, was derived from his nationally recognized research on poultry diseases_ persuaded ISU President Charles E. Friley to place the fraternity on probation. Of course, it didn't' hurt that the president's two sons, Charles Jr. and William '38 were both alumni of Iowa Gamma, and that he himself was initiated by the fraternity in 1936. The horsehead lamps now residing in the living room of the fraternity serve as a reminder of this solemn occasion.

 

‘CHICK' LEE NAMED EMINENT SUPREME ARCHON 

In the late 1950's and through the 1960's, SAE won the all fraternity intra-mural championship 11 out of 13 years. And in 1953, after serving the fraternity as chapter advisor, house corporation president, and Province Archon, Dr. Chester D. Lee '27 was elected Eminent Supreme Archon (ESA) of the national fraternity.

 

THE NEW ADDITION

By the early 1960's the chapter had grown and 58 members were housed in the building, more than twice the original capacity. Dr. Lee '27, Dr. Carrold Iverson '45, John S. Rice '45, and John R. Cook III '67 headed a housing committee, which arranged for more than $300,000 in donations and loans to provide for a new addition and the remodeling of the old building.

Following architect Rice's plan, the original structure was extensively remodeled: the dining room became the foyer, the kitchen became a TV room and a ladies lavatory, and the old TV room in the basement became a cold air dorm. The ‘chapter room in the basement was converted into two study rooms and all of the upstairs study rooms were redesigned to conform to the new addition. The original plans also called for a swimming pool in the basement and an underground tunnel leading to the parking lot of Kappa Kappa Gamma, but those plans were never realized.

 

IOWA GAMMA WINS ZEAL AWARD

The total building capacity was raised to 84 men whent the addition was completed in the fall of 1967. That same year, Iowa Gamma won the John O. Moseley Award for Fraternity Zeal, which is presented to the most outstanding SAE chapter in the nation during Leadership School each summer.

Throughout the 1970's Iowa Gamma continued to grow in numbers and enthusiasm. Members living out of house consistently numbered in the twenties, making total chapter membership well over one hundred. In 1974, SAE captured the Class A all-university softball championship and in 1977 won the Class A all-university broomball competition and was runner-up in Class A hockey. Iowa Gamma placed first in 1977 and 1978 in the novelty division of Homecoming Lawn Displays.

Motivated by the loss of Brother Len McGilliard in 1976 to leukemia, the chapter raised and donated over $10,000 to the University of Iowa Hospital for leukemia research. The money was raised from three separate fund-raising projects in 1976, 1977, and 1978 in conjunction with various sororities.

Improvements to the chapter house in the 1970's included: the placement of the SAE sign which was erected by the pledge class of 1970; and the redesigning and remodeling of the TV room by the 1974-75 pledge class along with the construction of the bar in the basement by the 1976-77 and 1977-78 pledge classes.

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SEVENTY FIFTH ANNIVERSARY 

In March of 1980 nearly 175 alumni and guests returned to Iowa Gamma for a special Founder's Day to celebrate the 75 th anniversary of the the chapter at Iowa State University . During the impressive celebreation, Dr. Chick Lee '27 was honored and presented with an oil portrait, which hangs today in the living room near the entrance of the ‘Chick Lee Board Room' .

 

THE REAGAN YEARS 

Throughout the 1980's the house remained full to its capacity of 85 members, and total campus membership consistently exceeded 110 individuals. Members were active in politics and on campus. The chapter played host to Governor Robert D. Ray (Iowa Delta '52), the late Texas Governor John Connolly, Senator Roger Jepsen and Governor Terry E. Branstad at 140 Lynn Avenue . The chapter dominated the student senate, and in 1986, Brother Brian Kennedy '86 was elected president of the Government of the Student Body (GSB).

With the advent of the personal computer in the early 1980's, students no longer relied on the vax main frame computer at Iowa State , and a computer room was added to the chapter house. Following the loss of Brother Kent Citurs in 1981, two lion statues were placed in his memory at the entrance to the chapter house. Exterior lighting to there fraternity was added during this time to highlight the architectural beauty of ‘The Maytag Mansion' at night.

SAE dominated philanthropy among fraternities throughout the 1980's. For the first half of the decade the chapter annually sponsored the ‘Greek Fight Night' Boxing Tournament to raise money for Muscular Dystrophy (MD). Held at the Iowa State Armory, amateur boxers representing fraternities, residence halls and Iowa 's amateur boxing teams competed to raise funds to help defeat MD. After a five year run, that event was followed by the equally successful ‘ SAE Casino Night' which was held at the chapter house to generate contributions for the Lupus Foundation.

 

THE REBUILDING YEARS

The 1990's brought many challenges and opportunities to SAE and the Greek system at Iowa State . As Greek membership declined in Ames and across the nation, alumni took a more active role in the fraternity to help bolster the chapter's membership and return Iowa Gamma to it's mission to help develop men into future leader. At the initiative of Brothers Dan Clark '79 and State Representative Steve Churchill '85, several local alumni charterd the Iowa Gamma Alumni Association (IGAA). That fall, the IGAA organized and hosted over 125 alumni for the first alumni and student drivent Homecoming Celebration which was held at the ISU Memorial Union.

 

THE CAMPAIGN FOR IOWA GAMMA

The event was so successful in renewing alumni interest, that by 1993 discussions were already under way to consider initiating a capital campaign to completely renovate the chapter house. Through the leadership of House Corporation President Dan Clark '79 and Fund-raising Consultant Steve Churchill '85, Brother Bruce Burchfield '70, Jim Cunningham '68 and Jim Nelson '69 were recruited to lead what was to be known as “The Campain for Iowa Gamma.” After securing $200,000 in early commitments, the campaign was officially kicked-off on May 21, 1994 . Nearly 150 alumni and guest returned to the grand even, which concluded in 1997 with $750,000 in gifts received.

The architect for the project was Brother Bob Olson '74 and the general contractors were Brothers Marshall “Bruzz” Linn III '70 and Art Wittmack '69 of Neumann Brothers, Inc. The primary thrust of the renovation project was to completely gut and modernize the student rooms in the new wing. Upon the completion of the first phase in 1998 the chapters' capacity was lowered from 85 to 72 men to allow for more spacious rooms. Among the new residents of the chapter house that fall was the first Housemother to return to 140 Lynn in nearly twenty years.

In conjuction with Homecoming that same year, a bronze placard inscribed ‘The Burchfiel Wing' was placed at the entrance to the east wing of the chapter house in honor of campaign chairman Bruce Burchfield '70 and his son Shawn '96. The memorial was affixed in recognition of their service and leadership gift of $100,000 toward the project.

During the same ceremony, a second placard inscribe “The Maytag Wing”, was placed in the west wing in honor of the late Louis B. Maytag '10. It was his gift of $6,000 in 1928 that initiated the construction of the original chapter just prior to the great depression. The names of the many alumni who made major gifts to “The Campaign for Iowa Gamma” adorns the entryway of the chapter house and serves as a reminder to all of the generosity of our alumni.

Following the death of Brother Jared Russell in 1997, his parents in honor of their son's memory donated the lighted flagstaff gracing the front yard of the chapter house.

 

IOWA GAMMA LEADS THE WAY IN ALCOHOL-FREE HOUSING 

In the spring of 1998, the chapter fell under intense scrutiny from the University, the International Fraternity, the community and the media following and alleged episode of serious misconduct. As a result of the allegations, the fraternity was placed on probation and an Alumni Commission was formed to oversee the actions of the fraternity.

Following an investigation, the Alumni Commission was dissolved and replaced by a team of alumni who serve on the Iowa Gamma Alumni Advisory Board (IGAAB). The purpose of the IGAAB is to work with the chapter officers in conjunction with the House Corporation Board to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and help the students develop leadership skills.

Though the student cited was later absolved of all misconduct, the incident served as in impetus for the fraternity and it's alumni to reevaluate its mission and code of conduct. Under pressure from Evanston , the University and the chapter's alumni, the undergraduate members voted to become one of the first alcohol-free chapters at Iowa State University . The transition to a dry house was not easy, but two years later, Eminent Archo Aaron Peterson '01 was recognized for his leadership to maintain a dry house when he was awarded the ‘Greek Man of the Year' by his peers during the Greek Week ‘Vespers Ceremony'.

The Des Moines Register picked up on the story, and on April 14, 2000 the newspaper ran a front-page article detailing the fraternities transistion from a wet to a dry fraternity. Soon after, the Iowa House of Representatives passed a resolution commending the fraternity for taking such a bold step. As a result, Eminent Archon Chris Barone and a small team of officers traveled to the Statehouse and were personally presented with a copy of the resolution by the Speaker of the Iowa House. The media's interst has continued, and on April 5, 2001 , SAE was featured on “Living in Iowa ” which appears weekly on Iowa Public Television.

 

A NEW BEGINNING 

In the year 2000, Iowa Gamma was one of only nine chapter selelcted by the International Fratenity to participate in the “True Gentleman Initiative' , which is intended to help members develop both morally and academically. That same year, Iowa Gamma alumnus Thomas Goodale '62 was named Eminent Supreme Recorder (ESR) of the International Fraternity. Today, Iowa Gamma is again recognized as a leading house on the Iowa State University Campus. With the addition of House Parents, Linda and Allan Crandell (IAGA '01) and a newly refurbished main floor the chapter house is constantly growing to become the best environment possible for some of today's finest college youths.

In addition to its students, the parents of the fraternity's members now have a larger stake in the chapter house. Under the leadership of parent Chuck Van Gilder (IAGA '01), a new ‘Parents Club' was initiated at Iowa Gamma, and today it participates in everything from decorating the fraternity during the holidays, to helping to host parents during Family Weekend at Iowa State. The chapter is always striving toward bigger and better academic heights. In the falls of 2002 and 2003, the chapter assembled the largest pledge class of any fraternity on the ISU campus.