Delta Tau Delta - Ball State University

2 THE IRIS Looking Back at Epsilon Mu's Beginnings Doug Laslie '69 Shares His Appreciation for Delta Tau Delta D oug Laslie '69 hadn't given much thought to joining a fraternity when he arrived at Ball State, and after his first impression of visiting one of the fraternities on Riverside Drive, he still wasn't particularly interested. That all changed when Doug felt a true sense of brotherhood when he met Dan Guio '68 and the men of Pi Delta Gamma. Doug was a member of the second and final Pi Gamma Delta class and became a charter member of Epsilon Mu. He served as the ritualist and has been committed to Delta Tau Delta's principles ever since. "I think that being in Delta Tau Delta helped me to be a more effective teacher. I was in a group of vastly different personalities who came together and learned to embrace our strengths and respect our differences," Doug said. "I have no doubt whatsoever that my Delta Tau Delta experiences helped guide me in my career. And that, in turn, has definitely carried over into my life as a retiree." Doug and Dan's friendship started at Ball State and became stronger over the years thanks to their similar career paths and Delt bonds. Doug started his teaching career in the Indianapolis Public School District along with Dan at Harshman Junior High School. His 43-year career as a journalism teacher came to a close in 2012 when he retired from Fort Wayne Community Schools. Doug spent 25 years at South Side High School, seven years at Northrop High School, eight years at Jefferson Junior High School, and three years in the Indianapolis Public School District. "I guess I feel a certain gratification in being responsible for the publication of quite a few successful student publications. Actually, some of my high school journalism students have become journalism professionals, and that gives me a great deal of satisfaction," Doug said. "Also, I'm proud of bringing initially resistant high school kids the joys of reading Shakespeare and 'tricking' many of them into actually liking it." Whenever Doug is out and about in Fort Wayne, it's a very rare occasion when he doesn't run into a former student. He always enjoys the encounters and catching up with those he mentored. Doug has also stayed in touch with several Delt brothers and hopes to reconnect with many more. He cherishes many wonderful memories of the Soul Delt Club, study tables at the Donut Shop, the Hells Angels at the Pixy, the Funeral Party and Verne the Delta Queen, winning Spring Sing, the 605 Riverside chant on the way to the ballroom, the greenhouse party, moving into the Shelter, and dedicating the sign. Last, but certainly not least, Doug will never forget being lavaliered and then being thrown into Cardinal Creek. "With the advent of social media, I have connected with brothers I haven't seen or heard about in 40-plus years. It has been great to renew contact with them and revive great chapter memories," Doug said. "I attended the 40th and 50th anniversary celebrations of the chapter and gatherings of 'the Old Guard.' Even though age has changed us physically, and sadly some have passed on, when these chances to renew brotherhood take place, it's as though no time at all has gone by since our undergraduate days." Doug and his wife, Nancy, live in Fort Wayne. You can connect with Doug at domala@msn.com. Doug Laslie '69 and his wife, Nancy, at Epsilon Mu's 40th anniversary celebration. Doug Laslie '69 and Dan Guio '68 at Epsilon Mu's 40th anniversary celebration. Doug Laslie '69 with his wife, Nancy, and son, Patrick.

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