Alpha Tau Omega - University of North Dakota

Remembering: Olive "Mom" Broderick 6 UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA H undreds of Delta Nu members and pledges from the late '50s through the '60s had their experience refined and moderated by the presence of the elegant Grand Forks widow we called Mom Broderick. At this time, all UND fraternities and sororities had a housemother to help bring some decorum and order to groups of young men and women living away from home and mothers for the first time in their life. Most all sororities had a housemother who lived in the house. Most fraternities had a local woman who came around ceremoniously on a regular basis. As an 18-year-old pledge, it took some time for me to accept the idea of calling another woman mom, as we affectionally called Mrs. Broderick. She lived by herself in a downtown apartment. I don't recall her having a car, but always being escorted by one of our members to be present at all the important functions. She was a presence at the formal Monday night dinner followed by the chapter meeting, parties in the house of off campus, sorority exchanges, and formals. A Delta Nu was assigned to pick her up and bring her to the house, where she would "hold court" and be greeted by everyone as they entered the living area. Mom always wore nice dresses and heels and her hair was perfectly coifed. If dinner was at 5:30, she would be in the living room by 5:00 and then would join the members for dinner at the head table where she would preside with the Worthy Master. During the social time that preceded dinner, every member and pledge would present themselves to Mom Broderick as they entered the room. If there was a party, you would bring your date over to meet her upon entering the party. Jerry Van Eeckhout '59 remembers Mom teaching him and others the game of bridge, which was a quantum leap from the crazy poker games that were popular in his years. He also recalls a Sunday dinner she hosted in her home, where he was introduced to stuffed pork chops for the first time. Her role was completely ceremonial, and she was always escorted home at the start of the chapter meeting and before it got late during social events. inking back on this experience, I'm certain that our lives were enriched and socially refined by the presence of Mrs. Broderick. We used to pride ourselves by saying there were "Boys' Clubs and Men's Clubs" when referring to other fraternities at UND. We were, of course, a Men's Club. To whatever effect we were men, there is no doubt that we would not have been without the presence of Mom Broderick in those very formative years. Love and Respect, David Iverson '65 david@acookstour.com N ot oen, but occasionally, select individuals are recommended by chapters and approved by ATW National as Honorary Initiates. Rev. Eldred D. Murdock '62, revered priest from the then next-door Canterbury Club, mentor and friend of Delta Nu, was one.ose from the late '50s and early '60s will recall Rev. Murdock's ever-present smile and always available source of wisdom and counsel. At their monthly meeting in January 2019, the chapter voted unanimously to recommend Loren R. Kopseng '69 as an Honorary Initiate of Delta Nu. ATW National agreed and approved the recommendation. e formal ritual to initiate Loren will be held on October 4, 2019, over Homecoming weekend. Loren enrolled at the University of North Dakota in 1965 and pledged ATW. Before being initiated, Loren was draed and served in U.S. Army during the Vietnam War until his honorable discharge. Loren subsequently enrolled at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, and graduated in 1973. Following college graduation, Loren worked as an accountant and commercial homebuilder until entering the petroleum products industry in 1981. In 1984, Loren founded what is now known as United Energy Corporation where he serves as the major shareholder, CEO, and president. United Energy has several operating subsidiaries that are engaged in various aspects of the energy industry including oil and gas expiration and the marketing and supplying of natural gas to commercial end users. In 2018, the operating revenues of United Energy and its subsidiaries exceeded $2 billion. Loren has been very instrumental both in reengaging the chapter with its alumni and through his generous philanthropic efforts in the new house fundraising campaign. Despite never becoming an initiated active member of Delta Nu, Loren has retained his strong bonds with UND and with the ATW chapter, as well as his many friends and fraternity brothers from his short time at the University of North Dakota. He has oen expressed how honored he would be to become a fully initiated member of the Delta Nu Chapter of Alpha Tau Omega, as he is soon to be. All Delta Nu alumni are invited to attend Loren's Initiation on Friday, October 4, 2019 at 2 p.m. at Sky's restaurant in downtown Grand Forks. Loren R. Kopseng '69 Named Honorary Initiate of Delta Nu

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