1971
- 1980
By the fall of 1972, Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity
had grown to become the third largest fraternity by total initiates,
behind only Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Sigma Chi.
Mark Markovich, an All American guard for the Nittany Lions and
chapter president, won the Harmon Rice award in 1974. He became
the second PA Theta winner of this Phi Delta Theta award which recognized
athletics, scholarship, and leadership. Mark was also an Academic
All American, and received an NCAA Post Graduate Scholarship.
The chapter began to run into troubles in the early 1970s. Financial
problems beset the house. Actives and alumni began to lose interest
in the house, as was evident by the discontinuation of the latest
version of a chapter newsletter, The Penn State Bond. Complaints
by alumni surfaced, who claimed the chapter was not as warm and
friendly as it had once been. Contrary to the policy of Phi Delta
Theta's General Council, a "Little Sister" program was
instituted. For homecoming in 1976, this trend seemed to have reversed,
as over four hundred alumni and guests visited the house. Many alumni
noted a marked improvement in the demeanor of the brothers.
Henry Rogers '34 (Bond #300) established a scholarship award for
the PA Theta senior with the highest grade average. A fund was created
to award $100 [$305 in 2004 dollars] each year, unless the eligible
student declined the award to enable it to serve a more needy recipient
in the future.
After playing in the 1975 Orange Bowl, Mark Ewing '76 (Bond #964),
Thomas Giotto '76 (Bond #957), and Gregory Buttle '76 (Bond #956)
brought back three baby alligators from Florida. They were quite
a hit and were raised close to the bar in the PA Theta basement.
They were also very much enjoyed during the 1976 Bowery Ball.
On another occasion, a brother who was the alligators' primary
care giver put "Mortiky" – the largest of the three
– on a leash and took him for a walk across campus before
returning to the four-way-stop intersection of Burrowes and Pollock
Roads at the chapter house. From there, he and Mortiky directed
traffic during a Friday afternoon rush hour. It was said the campus
police "appreciated" the assistance.
Streaking was big in 1975. One PA Theta member drove the campus
bus for extra cash, and one evening he stopped by the chapter house
to pick up a large contingent of brothers, who were au naturel.
As the bus traveled past the College Avenue "Wall" in
front of Old Main, the brothers pressed their backsides "like
hams against the windows" and nearby pedestrians applauded
enthusiastically. The incident made the CBS Evening News with Walter
Cronkite, who smiled and did not seem to disapprove.
A turning point in PA Theta's tradition of having many top-rated
football players in the house came in the spring of 1975, when Joe
Paterno decided our chapter had become an "athletic dorm,"
and he wouldn't permit any more players to join Phi Delta Theta.
He wanted the players to live among "regular" students.
Joe was gracious enough to accept an invitation to dinner to explain
his reasoning to the chapter members. He felt he had a responsibility
to do what he believed was in the best interests of his student
athletes. Joe also made some references to declining academic grades
of football players in general, but all the PA Theta players graduated
on schedule.
He may not have convinced many with his reasoning, but he gained
the respect of everyone for his beliefs. Additionally, he taught
some of the PA Theta members how it was best to face your foe and
communicate, a lesson that might not have been learned if they had
not been a "Brother in the Bond."
[Note: Some of the players in the house at this time who have gone
on to successful careers are Mark Markovich '74 (book author, and
business, Illinois Machine and Tools Works), Alexander Wasilov '75
(business, Rosenbluth International), Gregory Buttle '76 (business,
Unique Sports & Entertainment, after NFL), Mark Ewing '76 (business),
Thomas Giotto '76 (attorney), James Zitch '75 (investments), and
James Bradley '75 (orthopedic surgeon).]
In December 1976, Inez Packer was hired as cook/kitchen manager,
beginning a time when she would "rule the roost." The
January 1978 issue of The Phi News had the following to say about
Inez:
"Currently at the Phi Lodge, the brotherhood enjoys a great
pleasure; namely, the cooking of Inez Packer. Anyone who experienced
Inez's cooking at Homecoming [October 1977] will certainly agree
that she is the greatest. But Inez, although a good friend as well
as a fabulous cook, provides a more important function; she somehow
keeps the brothers in line, and Inez is one reason why the house
is in the best condition it's been in for years."
In 1978, David Thiel '65 was elected to assume the duties of alumni
secretary.
Compounding a negative evaluation of the condition of the house
– including assorted malfunctions of the electrical, heating,
and plumbing systems – financial problems continued to plague
PA Theta with many undergraduate brothers failing to pay their house
bills. Maintenance on the house waned and conditions deteriorated.
Finally, in 1979, symbolic of the decline the chapter was taking,
the front portico, with its majestic Corinthian columns, was demolished
after it was discovered it was almost ready to fall down on its
own.
On May 5, 1979, PA Theta celebrated its 75th anniversary with a
well-attended banquet at The Nittany Lion Inn. The event was organized
by PA Theta Alumni Corporation President John C. "Jack"
Cosgrove, Jr. '38, son of charter member John C. Cosgrove '07. Opening
remarks were made by undergraduate chapter president Michael J.
Woika '79 (Bond #1030). Phi Delta Theta dignitaries attending and
speaking were Robert J. Miller, NM Alpha '50, Executive Vice President
of the international fraternity, and T. Glen Cary, TX Epsilon '56,
President of General Council.
In addition to Vance Packard '36, several other Penn State Phis
had gained national recognition as authors; Donald Blaisdell '19
(Bond #132), wrote on technology and its relation to the environment;
William Patterson '13 (Bond #77), published a children's book; and
Arthur P. Miller Jr '47 (Bond #436), wrote several books based on
his career with the National Park Service.
To comply with local fire codes and as mandated by the chapter's
insurance carrier, the open stairwell was enclosed and self-closing
fire doors were installed at the second and third floors landings.
Another fire door was installed at the landing just a few steps
above the first floor and the venerated newel post at the bottom
of the stairway bannister.
[Note: The "Post" should be fondly remembered by many
brothers from their Hell Week days as "Yellow-Dogs." When
a Yellow Dog started upstairs, passing the newel post, a nearby
brother might command, "What does the Post say?" The Phikeia
was then permitted to respond with, "The Post says . . ."
then freely expressing his opinion on any subject, situation, or
person – including the brother – without fear of retribution.]
While PA Theta had no choice in the matter, everyone said the enclosure
of the stairwell absolutely destroyed the decades-old hallway ambience
of the upper floors that had been enjoyed by earlier members of
the chapter. Also performed was the installation of a new roof,
a fire alarm system, many plumbing repairs, and replacement of all
heating system thermostats. It was noted that this was the first
substantial work – costing about $25,000 [$64,000 in 2004
dollars] – to be done in the past 15 years.
Unfortunately for the chapter, the last year of the 1970s brought
more turmoil, and the PA Theta alumni were forced to act. Even though
the chapter was still in acceptable standing with fraternity headquarters,
the alumni members were extremely discouraged by the day to day
conduct of the undergraduate brothers. Most of the study room improvements
– including the uniform, built-in study desks – of the
1960s' renovation project were dismantled and removed. Many of the
chapter members wanted to "express their individualism"
and have more privacy. With the desks removed, they were then able
to turn the study rooms into study/sleeping rooms. Similarly, the
sleeping rooms were converted to combination study and sleeping
rooms.
Many alumni wanted to close the house down. Fortunately, a few
were able to convince those who were most disappointed to keep the
brotherhood alive. Nevertheless, changes had to be made, and it
was questionable whether or not there was a sufficiently sized core
of undergraduate brothers truly interested in implementing the changes
and restoring pride in the chapter.
At the May 3, 1980, alumni corporation meeting, five resolutions
were passed, authorizing drastically altered procedures for the
operation of the chapter. One resolution included conditions under
which – as a last resort – the chapter house would be
closed.
Thomas L. Smith '54 was appointed as chapter advisor, succeeding
Jeffrey B. Fisher '76 (Bond #918). During the following summer,
alumni corporation president, John C. "Jack" Cosgrove,
Jr. '38, wrote a lengthy letter to all alumni explaining the situation,
and outlining the corrective steps that were being taken.
Following the establishment of new guidelines, including some basic
"codes of conduct," all chapter brothers were interviewed
and evaluated by an alumni panel and, subsequent to the loss of
33 members who had graduated, left school, or were determined to
be "unwelcome," only twelve active brothers remained and
only seven of them resided in the chapter house.
To survive financially, the chapter was forced to take in nonmembers
as "boarders," some of whom would later become Phikeias
and then brothers of PA Theta.
In September, 1980, J. Randal Chestone '79 (Bond #1032) spearheaded
the establishment of the H. L. "Pete" Stuart Award, to
be presented to a worthy PA Theta alumnus, regardless of his class
year. A wood cabinet holding a plaque with numerous brass plates
for names of award recipients was installed in the Pete Stuart Room.
The plaque was inscribed with,
H. L. "Pete" Stuart Award – We, the brothers of
the Pennsylvania Theta chapter of Phi Delta Theta, pay fond tribute
to the following alumni, without whose foresight, leadership and
purposeful dedication, our chapter would not exist today.
The first Pete Stuart Award was presented at the 1980 Homecoming
meeting to John C. "Jack" Cosgrove, Jr. '38.
[Note: Other recipients in later years have been Thomas L. Smith
'54, Donald R Ernst '33 (Bond #285), Raymond T. Fortunato '47, Joseph
J. Eisenhuth '48 (Bond #482), David N. Thiel '65, and Robert W.
Olson '64 (Bond #723).]
The October 1980 alumni corporation meeting, was considered by
President Jack Cosgrove '38 to be very productive. The undergraduate
members were instructed to increase membership – so the chapter
house would be occupied only by brothers or pledges – and
the alumni would investigate and oversee the purchase of new furniture
for the first floor. The existing furniture had been purchased by
the undergraduate members at low cost and was not substantial enough
to withstand the abuse of fraternity living. Another subject discussed
was whether to renovate or replace our entire physical plant.
Penn State's highly criticized 10-week academic term schedule was
abandoned after over ten years of unsuccessful experimentation and
adjustments.
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