Beta Theta Pi - Miami University

PAGE 3 Coming Home Campaign Goal: $50,000 $15,035 Alpha Slants of Beta Theta Pi Alpha Legend Defined by Success (Continued from page 1) Upon arriving, Dolibois sought a means to immerse himself in American culture. "When I came to the United States as an immigrant, I wisely joined the Boy Scouts—an act which contributed much to my Americanization," he said. Through this association, he learned to speak English. While at camp during the summer, he was also exposed to a number of counselors who were students at a college in Oxford, Ohio. "They recruited me well and persuaded me to attend Miami University. Eventually I earned a generous scholarship to the University and gratefully accepted it. I enrolled in September 1938." As he left Akron behind, Dolibois ventured to Miami with an SAE pin in his pocket. One of Dolibois' Boy Scout leaders had assured him that he would be rushed by the SAEs upon his arrival. "There must have been a miscommunication, because they never rushed me," Dolibois says. Instead, fate would lead the young man to cross paths with an individual who would become a famous Beta in his own right. "I was a freshman in Elliott Hall and the Proctor of the Hall was Hiram Stephenson. Hi was a senior in Beta and managed to get me well acquainted with some of the Betas of the Alpha Chapter; he made sure I met other Alpha men including Ralph Fey, Ned Walker, and Jim Mautz, whose interest and support I valued." The courtship was successful and it wasn't long before Dolibois had begun his association with Beta Theta Pi. "Naturally I joined Beta. I pledged the fraternity—much to my contentment and pleasure—and soon formed friendships that have lasted all my life," he said. Dolibois was one of 10 in his pledge class and was selected to be formally initiated into the chapter at the centenary celebration on August 8, 1939 in Oxford. "I was chosen to be one of eight pledges initiated in tribute to our eight founders; in my opinion, a great honor." In front of more than 1,500 of his brothers-to-be, 'neath the elms of Old Miami, Dolibois joined the ranks of the Beta Dragon. Coincidentally, Dolibois was also selected to carry the American flag in the centenary parade, perhaps a telling foreshadow of how this unassuming young man would one day become one of Beta's most prominent representatives of the United States. and directly led to some of the many Beta associations which would shape his career, from the first alumni secretary at Miami University to his appointment as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg. "At the summer convention in Oxford, I was impressed to meet Betas of national fame who later influenced much of my education by example," Dolibois said. While living in Akron, Dolibois had met a young woman named Winifred, whom he would come to call "Winnie." They fell in love and agreed to venture to Miami together. During Dolibis' senior year, the two were married, and she remained his best friend and confidant until her passing 67 years later. Upon graduation, Dolibois and Winnie moved to Cincinnati, and Dolibois accepted a position with Procter and Gamble. By November, he had been drafted to serve in the U.S. Army. He was commissioned by General George Patton and was driving tanks in the 16th Armored Division. He loved the job. "A tank was my first car. I didn't even have my license at the time," Dolibois laughingly shared. Not long after being commissioned, Dolibois was called to serve in military intelligence as a result of his fluent skills in the German language. He was trained as an interrogator. As the war concluded, Dolibois was summoned to a highly secretive location dubbed "Ashcan" in Mondorf, Luxembourg, where he was responsible for the interrogation of 24 of the highest-ranking Nazis in Hitler's regime. These interrogations were the precursor for the convictions that would follow at the Nuremberg Trials. Books have been written on the role of Dolibois and his team of interrogators in Mondorf, where a street is named after him. Upon returning from the war,Dolibois returned to work at Procter and Gamble. By 1947, he was presented with an opportunity that would allow him to serve his alma mater. Dolibois learned that the University was creating an alumni program and was seeking a full-time alumni secretary. With the endorsement of numerous Betas, Dolibois was offered and accepted the job, beginning a 34-year career with the University that meant so much. The Beta influence was not lost on him. "One of my many close Beta friends was Ed Brown, a national Beta leader. He was instrumental in my eventually assuming my career as an administrator at Miami University," Dolibois reflected during our conversation. The centenary was a monumental experience for Dolibois (Continued on page 6) Make Your Gift Count Anytime! I f you would like to make a gift at any time to our annual campaign, you can do so online or by sending a check with the following gift form to our PO box. Your support of the House Corporation is greatly appreciated! Online Giving: www.betathetapi.org/gift In the "Additional Gift Comments" box at the bottom of the page, enter "for Alpha House Company." Mail Your Gift (using form enclosed): Alpha Chapter House Company PO Box 940 Oxford, OH 45056 Make check payable to Beta Theta Pi Foundation Alpha Chapter Account (tax deductible)

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