Phi Delta Theta - Butler University

Page 1 2 Indiana Gamma "Bit O' History" Chapter House under construction in spring 1929. First undergraduate residents of the new Chapter House in 1931. Sam Arnett '33 (back row, stand- ing, far left in dark suit and tie, hands in pockets) was the last original living chapter resident. Brother Arnett recently passed away at 105. "T he day I became a Phikeia, a pledge, at The Castle on the Corner in September 1935 still stands out clearly in my memory. There are few still living who remember those happy days, so I thought you might be interested in the story. "During my time on campus, the Phi Delt Chapter was fortunate to have outstanding alumni who were very involved in the day-to-day happenings of the Fraternity—Hilton U. Brown Sr. (the "patron saint" of Indiana Gamma and former editor of The In- dianapolis News), Professor George Schumacher, Glen Findley, and Russell Townsend, to name just a few. I've never forgotten the lessons I learned from those older mentors. They greatly inspired me and my 'Brothers in the Bond.' "Hilton U. Brown Sr. was an outstanding gentle- man. He had been one of the first members of the Indiana Gamma Chapter and had served as its president. He was very elderly (in his late 70s) when, always accompanied by his wife and daugh- ter (Mrs. John Whistler Atherton), he attended our weekly, Wednesday chapter meetings in the 1930s. Mr. Brown's grandson, Hilton Brown Atherton ("Hilt"), was in my pledge group. "Hilton U. Brown Sr.'s distinguished bearing and deep, arresting voice one could never forget. As Dr. Kenneth Woolling '39 reflects on fraternity life before his Passing college Fraternity brothers, we all held him in the highest regard as we did the memory of his son, Hilton U. Brown Jr., also a Chapter member, who, sadly, was killed in action in Nuart, France, on No- vember 3, 1918, during WWI. In 1915, while at the Mexican Front with Battery A, he had been inspired to compose the poem "To College Brothers"—a tribute to his Phi Delt brothers. As pledges, we were required to memorize the poem with its stirring, heartfelt sentiments of Fraternity life. A framed copy of the poem hung in a prominent place in the Chapter House. "College years are formative years and should not be taken lightly. I believe the future success of the Chapter rests greatly on active and interested alum- ni, who will emphasize high ideals and a strong sense of duty in their associations with the active members. The Chapter's focus, in my opinion, should be not only on young men in college but also, and more importantly, on the older men these individuals will soon become. Phi Delta Theta can have a major impact for good in preparing them for life and all of its challenges." Dr. Kenneth Woolling played the piano daily, until his eyesight failed a few months before his death. His musical repertoire included "Phi Delt Bunga- low" the lyrics are available upon request. Composite in front of Chapter House, November 1936. Brother Woolling's family flanked by Indiana Gamma undergraduate members pose with the "To College Brothers" poem in the background; The poem Brother Woolling '39 gladly memorized to convey his heartfelt sentiment of his Fraternity life at The Castle on the Corner. L to R: Gavin Parish '20, nephew Rick Coble, daughter Mary Woolling '76, Son Ken Woolling Jr., and Trent Miller '20. Phi Delta Theta Chapter circa 1970. Welcome back 1967-73 alumni at this year's Homecoming! Hilton U. Brown, 1880 laying the Chapter House cornerstone on March 11, 1929.

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