Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
Purdue University
80th Anniversary Banquet
1932 – 2012
Our 80 Year History
by Tony Ploughe, ΑΓ ‘86
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Founding Story of Alpha Gamma
“Even before APO came to Purdue there had been a number of
students interested in Scouting and who were, therefore,
devoting part of their spare time to serving as assistant
Scoutmasters or merit badge counselors for troops in
Harrison Trails Council. Through this association the various
students became acquainted with each other.
When in the late fall of 1931 this group heard about
Alpha Phi Omega, they decided to form a chapter at Purdue.
With due investigation and application and the help of a ritual
team from the nearby University of Illinois chapter,
Alpha Gamma was founded on May 20, 1932.”
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma Charter Members
Robert M. Price
Paul A. Wolf
William H. Foland
Lowell F. Baker
Richard R. Lovell
Melvin P. Hemmer
George I. Calvert
Oscar G. Reiber
David M. Eckman
Robert E. Jordan
David F. Carter
May 20th, 1932
Byron A. Burchby
William O. Orsinger
Franklin T. White
James F. McDaniel
Arthur C. Golden
Herbert L. Creek *
H. Gerald Venemann *
W. Lynn Parkinson *
Eugene L. Wheeler *
Richard G. Dukes *
* Denotes Advisor
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
(According to the recreation of the original charter)
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 30’s
1933
1936
6 Pledges
25 Pledges
Pledge Hours Requirements were: 15-30 hours
Pledge Boards were used from almost the start
● Shape of the APO Key
● The reverse side has signatures
1933-1939 Annual Scout Day at Purdue
● Boy Scouts from all over Indiana invited
● In a Parade, went to a football game, Campus Tour
1938-1946 Campus Wide Finger Printing Chapter Project
● 2500 students finger printed
● J. Edgar Hoover sent letter to Lafayette Chief of Police,
presented to the chapter, commending APO at Purdue.
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Eric Wadleigh Pictured from Alpha Gamma, Torch & Trefoil, Nov 1937
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
How Overnighter was started:
1930’s: Pledge Hikes were started
● “Pledgemaster usually ends up in the nearest body of water.”
● “Some work is planned and there are refreshments for all.”
During WWII:
(1941-1945)
‘The Pledge Hike turns into an all night affair,
ending in the formal initiation ceremonies.’
1957:
“...the hike is turning into a Pledge-Active camping trip…”
“Some time during the trip the pledges traditionally present
a skit to the actives.”
2007:
50 Years Later: The Pledge-Active Camping Trip with the
planned work is still going strong, known now as Overnighter.
Overnighter: Includes a day of projects at a local camp, group pictures are
immediately after lunch, including a picture from each pledge class at Overnighter
there. Quite a few alumni show up for this event too. Often the Pledges take on the
Actives in football, while some continue getting sigs. There is dinner, pledge
review that seems to last all night, followed by a bonfire. (Video: Skits ..\..\..\Desktop\1
Stacie Meyers Skit.wmv ..\..\..\Desktop\Linda Psycho Anstett imitating lisa stultz.wmv ..\..\..\Desktop\8
Dave Wahl story telling at Cahill S94.wmv) Without a doubt, the most memorable event of the semester.
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 40’s
1942
Best Pledge Award started: 1st Recipient: Ross O. Shideler
“…a decorated and very empty whiskey bottle…”
Steve Lovelace gives away the Bird Dog Award he
received the Spring 90 semester. (An empty wine bottle.)
1947
Student Council asked APO to help run Campus Elections
1947
Frederick Hovde, Purdue University President inducted to Alpha Gamma
1948
First Alpha Gamma office in the Memorial Union
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
How Blood Drives started:
1947:
Alpha Gamma started a Blood Type List Program on campus
● 25 people from each class on file at Univ. Student Health Center
1949:
List included all Alpha Gamma members & other students too
2007:
Chapter works closely with Central Indiana Regional Blood Center
each semester, as a week long campus wide blood drive.
Members wear Charlie Corpuscle
(Photo: Approx. Spring ’89)
APO assists with recruiting donations, handing out
juice, cookies and help off the floor (if needed).
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
(Photo: Approx. Spring ’89)
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
How Cancer Society Fundraisers started:
1949:
Cancer Tag Day started
Dick Newman accepting Cancer Foundation
Contribution during Tag Day. (Photo: Late 40s – 50s)
1950s:
’80s-’90s:
John Mitchell & Jack ____ receiving contribution
in downtown Lafayette. (Photo: Late 40s – 50s)
Cancer Tag Day continued on & off.
By 1957, over $750 contributed to Cancer Societies
Daffodil Sales for American Cancer Society on campus
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
1949 Indiana Governor, Henry Schricker Initiated as Honorary Member
George
Cahill
Pres.
Prof.
Tom R.
Hovde Barnett Johnson
Alpha Phi Omega
Gov.
C.M.
Prof.
Don
Schricker
Finnell
Den Uyl
Dynes
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
APO Calendars for Campus Students:
1949:
‘Alpha Gamma publishes a Fall Semester Calendar
Listing dances, convocations, lectures & Organization meetings
Sold to students on campus.’
- ‘This met with moderate success and was continued.’
1951:
Fall semester; ‘Profit was smaller and work greater.’
‘Chapter dropped the project.’
1952:
‘Mortar Board Honorary revives the project’
to what is known as a very succesful Mortar Board Calendar.
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma National Board Members
Dan Den Uyl
George Cahill
APO National President 1950 – 1954
APO National T&T Editor
1954 National Pledge Class Namesake
1948 - 1950
1958 National DSK
George Cahill is presenting Purdue Professor and Alpha Gamma Advisor Dan Den Uyl with a
Pearl Key in recognition of his service to Alpha Phi Omega. (Photo: Late 40s – Early 50s.)
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 50’s
1950s
Pledge Class Banners were first made.
1951
Senior Paddles were first started
1951
Swimming & Life Saving Training started
at YMCA Pool, Project continued thru 60s
1950
UMOC (Ugly Man on Campus) started by
the Purdue Campus Chest Committee.
Alpha Gamma had an active part.
1956
Alpha Gamma began sponsoring UMOC
Phil Wankat (Senior), Course Director
Funds contributed to: Polio Fund
Heart Assoc., CARE, Comm
22Feb 1966 Photo,
Fund of Laf., American Red Cross
1956 raised $3068.60
1957 raised $1892.70
(Mid-Late 50s UMOC Photo)
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 50’s Continued
1957
Best Pledge Board was started
1957
25th year anniversary of Alpha Gamma
Over 1100 members joined Alpha Gamma in first 25 years!
Pledge class sizes were between 6 & 60. (The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957)
1957
APO Office, still known to be in the Memorial Center, Rm B-80
Spring ‘60 Pres. Hovde Pledge Class
Spring 57 John Sharp
Pledge Class Banner
Alpha Phi Omega
L to R: John Woods, (Sr); Pres. Hovde, Byron Niemeier (Sr) &
Ron Alley (Soph) Pledge Class President
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Dwight Scarseth Award
1954
Dwight Scarseth, Active in Spring ’54
● Had accomplished several Alpha Gamma
Officer positions
● Junior editor of the Exponent
● Joke Paddle was given to him that spring
for being a Senior nine
1954
“…passed on after a freak accident in a
softball game in Minnesota” (Summer ’54)
1954
Fall, “…Chapter created the
Outstanding Senior Award.
“This was the combined effort to honor G. Dwight Scarseth
for his accomplishment in furthering the ideals and principles
of Alpha Phi Omega and to perpetuate the chapter’s
continuing interest in top senior APO leaders.”
“The second paddle was given for the first time on Dec 12, 1954.”
Source: The Silver Rag, Alpha Gamma 1932 to 1957
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 60’s
1960s
Boy Scout Lifesaving and Swimming training continue.
1961
Dedication of a living Memorial for Advisor & Prof Dan Den Uyl
“…a white pine was dedicated with a bronze plaque inscribed as follows:
In Memory of Prof. Dan Den Uyl, Alpha Phi Omega. The plaque can be found
at the southwest corner of the Horticulture bldg.”
1964
Foster Families Pot-Luck Dinner (Chapter assists with this project)
1964
APO Office is known to have been in the Memorial Center, Rm 12-A
1968
April 13th, The RAG newsletter
“…we have a reputation of being one of the most active chapters
in the nation.” Written by: Ron (Old Man) Miller, Chapter President
Walkout is a tradition continued from the 1930’s Pledge Hike.
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 70’s
1971
APO Office is known to have been in Stew Center, Rm G-12-A
1974
APO Office moved to Stew Center, Box 602, Rm G-14
per Dale Sawyer, 1976 Chapter President in which the office has resided
continuously thru to this date in 2012.
1947-1973
Membership records with the National Office are very limited:
In these 25 years, we only have record of 130 new members. Seems like most
of the communication between the APO National Office and the chapter is
along the lines:
Nat. Office: ‘Thank you for sending us your Fall roster, but we have
found no record of (names) as pledges or actives’.
Alpha Gamma, Roberta Bach, Chapter President April 30th, 1980
response: “Phil Wankat said he filled out an advisor’s application in 1970.”
1976
“I would like to apologize for sending these pledge forms and the check so
late. Our chapter had not anticipated a pledge class of ninety-two people.
Therefore, we ran out of pledge forms…” Submitted by:
Roberta Bach, Archivist – Alpha Gamma Chapter, April 6, 1976
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 80’s
1980
Superdance for Muscular Dystrophy Association raises $2555.00
1981
Prof./Advisor Phil Wankat creates APO National Advisors Handbook
and contributes $750 to help print 2000 to 2500 copies.
1982
Alpha Gamma Celebrates 50th Anniversary on April 25th, 1982
1983
“In the morning, skits and our first “Scouts Own” are planned.”
Letter to Darrell Spoon, APO National Executive Director, March 23, 1983
from Laurie Williams, Communications Coordinator, Alpha Gamma – APO (Video: Scouts Own)
1980s
Scouts Own is presented by a graduating senior where most graduating
seniors and others take the opportunity to share their experiences, pass
along their hard earned wisdom and tell each other how much they appreciate
each other. This is by far the strongest bonding event I have ever been a part of.
Better have a crying towel ready and expect your jaw to hurt from laughing. ~tony
(Video: Scouts Own ..\..\..\Desktop\Scouts Own spring 95.wmv)
1984
The Alpha Gammateer Newsletter, April 17, 1984
“We tried something different from recent years and hand delivered invitations for
rushees to return for tapout. This, along with an increased emphasis on personal
contact brought in 144 rushees…” “…and tapped out around 115 for the Roberta
“Bubbles” Pledge Class.” Written by: Julie Johnson (Pres), Nancy Fitzgerald & Jim Smolen (PTs)
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma 80’s Advisors:
Prof. Teaford
Alpha Phi Omega
Advisor
V.P. Ron Fruitt
’85 – Present
VP Housing & Food Services
Pledge Class
Namesake
Spring ‘88
Advisor ’88 – late 90’s
Pledge Class Namesake Spring ‘91
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma 80’s Advisors Cont’d:
Warren Luzadder
Advisor ’57 – late ’90s
National Namesake, Fall 1988
Spring Chapter Namesake, 3 times
Awarded Chapter DSK, 4 times
Shown with Kelly Henn, ’88 Nat Conv
Alpha Phi Omega
Shown with Keith Eaton, ’88 Nat Conv
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 80’s Continued:
1986
Walkout with Stu Smith and Susan Young, Dean Pledge Class
Stu climbs out the classroom window to escape us (the pledges)
1988
Stadium Cleanup Becomes fun? What? Thanks Mark Cudworth
Where do you want all this TP?
Steve Lovelace on jelly role patrol.
1988
Clothing Concepts contact us about selling clothes on campus.
I was VP Service & remember being upset with Ron Olliver, Campus
Finance Dept for not letting them pay us $1000 for one week of our
work. He ended up getting us $2500 + 10% of their profits. ~ tony
1989
Walkout becomes PUTAA after National Office threatens us with
suspension. No more Wabashing pledge trainers, car chases or
keeping the PTs captive. PUTAA is Pledges United to Aggrevate Actives
You call this GUS (Gathering, Uniting & Serving) now?
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Scout Camps:
21 Eagle Scouts at F’94 O.N.
Camp
Sycamore w/
Lloyd Fike
Camp Cary w/Clay Isley
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Relationships:
Yes, we had quite a few marriages too:
Mike Cox & Lisa Kerhkof
Alpha Phi Omega
Tommy Brennan & Chris Hartman
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
A Few More Alpha Gamma Marriages:
Christopher Heim and Christine Heim
Angela Pomilio Johnson and Mike Johnson
Jim Bundy and Sheryl Dworak Bundy
Shane Halbach and Sara Strack Halbach
Susan Knoll Stage and Brian Stage
Jim Garrigus and Carolyn Woodward Garrigus
Sara Marfia Rebennack and Lee Rebennack
Mark Hodapp and Sheryle Lawrence Hodapp
Heather Polley-Lejman and Chris Lejman
Eileen Dashiell and Matt Dashiell
Sue Streeter Billian and Mark Billian
Steve Kenny and Christine Moser
Doug Birk and Kathy Lovelace-Birk
Teresa Morgan and Chris Ballas
Cindy Strawbridge Turner and Will Turner
Andy Longbrake and Jenni Berning
Inter-Chapter Marriages with Alpha Gamma
Jane McCann and Tom Jackson
Julie Smith and Peter Smith
Eric Smith and Wife from Miami of Ohio
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Alpha Gamma in the 90’s:
1990
Pledge Trainer for Scarseth Pledge Class
This is the best job ever in APO, thanks Jen Robinson (Co-PT) - great time.
Stew G-14 Office:
Picture Board:
I made it the summer of ’90, help from friend Rob Schrumpf
Office Phone Number:
494, 2 to do 69 twice
Everybody Knows Your Name:
Mike Newberg & Steve Lovelace usually named
everyone at Overnighter, pledges & actives
Banners:
Stayed on the wall till everyone graduated or left.
Around Town:
The Barn, Als Place, the Penthouse, the Dog House
- The picture window at Harrys
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Conclude with a thought Question:
Please join me in asking it one of our favorite Overnighter Thought Questions:
You have landed …
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary
Conclude with a thought Question:
Please join me in asking it:
You have landed on a distant planet, there are children there and they are brats,
You manage to subdue them, and start a chapter of Alpha Phi Omega.
You are to be the first committee chair, which committee would you start and why?
Distant Planet – is where you live now w/college nearby, only children are not brats they are just like
us – talented, caring, leaders & fun to be with.
The Alpha Gamma Chapter: Has given us many memories, tears, laughs, hugs and life long friends.
As alumni and soon to be alumni, lets give some of it back for others to enjoy.
This summer Mark Straton our Alpha Phi Omega National President announced we met one of our
long term goals of having over 25000 active members.
Currently there are approximately 358 chapters.
We have a goal of 500 chapters by 2025. That distant planet is where you live as alumni or will be
moving to after you graduate. If there is not a chapter there, help us start it. If there is one, be
an advisor & help them grow. If you don’t have the time, please contribute to the annual
Torchbearer fund. Become a Life Member. Lets take up an entire page on the Torch and Trefoil
for Torchbearer donations, just for the Alpha Gamma chapter. $75
This is an incredible chapter & I am very proud to be an Alpha Gamma!
Alpha Phi Omega
Alpha Gamma Chapter
80th Anniversary