Indiana, Our Indiana: Alpha Iota Celebrates 100 Years at IU

The charter members of the Dalethian Club were:

Virgil French, Edwin Terrell, Lertie M. Hylton, Arnett Owens, Ernest D. Wade, Loyde D. Waid, Lawrence Henderson, Cecil P. Clark, Maurice V. Kahler, Vern Washburn, Ralph Ruddell, Herbert Smith, Vernon D. Brigham, Maurice Hughes, Lowell S. Martin, Lee Kellam, Freedman hinds, John K. Lanahan, Claud Curry, Luther V. Davis, George W. Capouch, and Ansell La Follette.

Shortly thereafter in 1916, the Dalethian Club began to search for a fitting national fraternity with which to affiliate. The Club selected Theta Chi and petitioned the Grand Chapter for more than five years.

The names of the petitioning members were: Chester A. Amick (1920), Harold E. Curry (1922), Clarence O. Davisson (1923), Herman H. Davenport (1924), Emil W. Fischer (1923), Edmund B. Haggard, (1923) Lertie M. Hylton (1920), Wendell H. Kinsey (1923), S. Clyde Lacey (1922), Dewey H. Mannan (1924), Arlow R. Pifer (1923), J. Edwin Purple (1922), Jasper A. Reynolds (1924), Gilbert D. Rhea (1922), Virgil D. Reed (1922), Wilbert B. Rhinehart (1924), Roy E. Shanks (1923), James F. Slack (1922), Leslie E. Smith (1923), Donald F. Teeters, William G. Thompson (1922), Donald C. Van Hoy (1923), J. Byron Walker (1923), Kelsie R. Warne (1922), Robert C. Waters (1923), Wray R. Waters (1923), Jesse L. Weaver (1923), Russell E. Wise (1923), Walter A. Wise (1922), and Eldo W. Wood (1921).

Those most instrumental in securing the charter were: Edwin Purple (1922), Emil Fischer (1923) and Lertie Hylton (1920).

The Grand Chapter approved their petition on February 18, 1921 and set their installation for March 19, 1921 in Bloomington, IN.

The Installation Ceremony started the next morning at 8:30 a.m. and recessed at noon for lunch. The meeting came back to order at 1:00 p.m. and lasted until 4:30 in the afternoon.

The Charter Members of Alpha Iota are: Chester A. Amick (1920), Maurice S. Barton (1924), Lawrence E. Carlson (1924), Earl H. Chaney (1923), Clarence O. Davisson (1923), Herman H. Davenport (1924), Emil W. Fischer (1923), Alfred B. Geyer, Jr. (1924), S. Clyde Lacey (1922), Dewey H. Mannan (1924), Wyatt E. May (1924), Lewis R. Pettit (1921), J. Edwin Purple (1922), Virgil D. Reed (1922), Jasper A. Reynolds (1924), Wilbert B. Rhinehart (1924), Samuel Schlosser (1925), Everett V. Scott (1923), Roy E. Shanks (1923), James F. Slack (1922), William G. Thompson (1922), Gordon A. Vizard (1923), J. Byron Walker (1923), Allen H. Warne (1924), Robert C. Waters (1923), Jesse L. Weaver (1923), Wray R. Waters (1923), Russell E. Wise (1923), Walter A. Wise (1922), and Eldo W. Wood (1921).

Following the Installation, IU’s 14th and newest fraternity hosted a formal banquet in honor of the visiting members of Theta Chi. Roy E. Shanks (Alpha Iota/Indiana 1923) acted as toastmaster and short talks were made by Arthur Schmoeller and George Starr Lasher. Indiana University faculty and administrators were well represented with speakers including C. M. Hepburn, Dean of the College of Law, Prof. B. D. Myers, Secretary of College of Medicine; S. E. Stoute, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Horace Hoffman, past Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, John W. Cravens, Registrar; and Dr. William Lowe Bryan, President of Indiana University. 

Immediately following the banquet, a formal dance and reception, lasting until midnight, was held on campus in Assembly Hall and was attended by approximately 150 couples. The hall was appropriately decorated in Theta Chi colors.

The new Alpha Iota Chapter claimed 420 South Fess Avenue as their home but realized that they were in need of something better – and bigger. 

In 1923, a group formed the Theta Chi Building Association for the purpose of raising money to purchase a chapter house. This group included Clarence O. Davisson (1923) (its first President), J. Byron Walker (193), Everett V. Scott (1923), Walter C. Shelton (1925), Earl H. Chaney (1923), Elisha A. Metzger (1925), Leo W. Shumaker (1926), Perle Small (1925), Wray R. Walters (1923), and Caryl Zollner

The original stock offering was for $20,000 of stock with a par value of $50/share. At its initial offering more than $8,500 was already pledged. Throughout the first years of the chapter, these capital stock purchases paved the way to purchase and furnish the chapter house.

In 1926/1927 Alpha Iota succeeded in becoming a homeowner, purchasing a lot and building a luxurious Georgian Colonial home at 101 North Jordan Avenue squarely in the center of IU’s new Fraternity Quadrangle.

Over the years, many brothers contributed to the welfare of Alpha Iota, providing advice and counsel or serving behind the scenes. An incomplete listing would include members of the Theta Chi Realty Corporation Board, who continue to make improvements and upgrades to the chapter house, completing another renovation project during the summer of 2020. These brothers have maintained such an excellent chapter facility that Alpha Iota’s home has served as the primary site for Theta Chi Fraternity’s premiere leadership education programming for emerging leaders, The Initiative Academy. We recognize brothers such as Dick Davisson (1953), Jim McClusky (1954), Jim Sandifer (1956), Warren Hoffman (1976), Jim Hurley (1977), Dick Tetrick (1977), Steve Dum (1979), Kevin McIntosh (1980), Tom Cooler (1981), Jerry Gordon (1981), William Davisson (1984), Matt Coffman (1985), and many, many others who served on the Realty Corporation Board.

We also salute brothers who served on the Alpha Iota Educational Foundation including Bruce Pennamped (1970), Ken Daemicke (1974), Warren Hoffman (1976), Rick Miller (1977), David Himebrook (1977), and many others. We specifically recognize Sherwood Blue (1926), Rear Adm. Ralph Faucett, M.D. (1938), and the Scott family (Jane & John E. Scott) who provided financial gifts, creating opportunities for academic scholarships.

We also honor Warren Hoffman (1976), Kevin McIntosh (1980), Fr. Myles Smith (1984), Don Stradling (1986), and DJ Sirota (1987) and so many other brothers who dedicated their time for chapter meetings and to help with any questions from officers, members, and pledges. We also pause to remember the wonderful chefs and house mothers who served Alpha Iota over the years, including Mom Liz Faubion.

[Editor’s Note: We wish no offense if a name has been omitted; indeed it is admirable that Alpha Iota has so many that extend a Helping Hand that it is hard to keep track!]

NFL players: Bob Hoernschemeyer (1947) and Bob Ravensberg (1947).

NBA player: Bill Tosheff (1951).

And an Olympic medalist: James E. Henry (1970) who won Bronze in 1968 in the 3-Meter Springboard diving event.

A number of Alpha Iota alumni have served Theta Chi Fraternity at the International level:

Charter Member Allen H. Warne (1924) served four terms on the National Board of Trustees (now the Norwich Housing Corporation) from 1971-1991. He served as NBT President from 1978-1980 and again 1986/1987. Brother Warne also served on the Board of Directors for the Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. 

Sherwood Blue (1926) was elected to the Grand Chapter in 1946. He served two terms and ended his final two years, 1952-1954, as National President. While National President, Brother Blue established the Foundation Chapter of Theta Chi Fraternity, Inc. and served as its President 1953-1993. A bequest from Brother Blue, and his wife Janet, established the Sherwood and Janet Roberts Blue Memorial Scholarship which are awarded to brothers pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees who demonstrate scholastic aptitude and financial need.

After graduation, Warren E. Hoffman, II (1976) left Indiana and relocated in Southern California. He volunteered his time with area chapters and became involved with the San Diego Alumni Association and other Gamma Theta/San Diego State alumni. Brother Hoffman was elected to the Grand Chapter in 1986 and served two terms, completing his service in 1994. Relocating back to the Indianapolis area, he continued his fraternal service volunteering on the Alpha Iota Realty Corporation, Alpha Iota Educational Foundation, and on the board of Theta Chi Funds for Leadership and Education, serving as President 1999-2000. Following the merger of Theta Chi Funds into the Foundation Chapter, Brother Hoffman served on the Foundation Chapter and as its President 2007-2009. Moving yet again, Brother Hoffman’s relocation to South Carolina put him within distance of another group in need of a Helping Hand. With Brother Hoffman’s support, a group of hardworking young men established Iota Phi Chapter at the University of South Carolina.  

Awards

Over the years, Alpha Iota Chapter and its members have been recognized by the International Fraternity with several awards. Sherwood Blue, Allan Warne, and Warren Hoffman each received the Distinguished Service Award, Theta Chi Fraternity’s highest award. These three brothers also received the Earl. D. Rhodes Theta Chi for Life Award.

In 2008, Ray Vanlanot was named First Runner-Up for the Reginald E.F. Colley Award which recognizes the top collegiate member in the Fraternity.

The chapter received the James M. Holland Award as the chapter that initiated the most members on four occasions: 1993/1994; 1994/1995; 1996/1997; and 2004/2005. Alpha Iota is also a 16-time recipient of the Phil S. Randall Award which recognizes chapters that initiate 25 or more men in an academic year (1997-2000; 2008-2020). Finally, Alpha Iota won the Most Improved Chapter Award in 1936/1937.

Also of note, in 2006 during Alpha Iota’s reinstallation, IU’s long-serving dean of students, Richard McKaig, was presented Theta Chi’s Chapman-Alter Award for Interfraternal Excellence for his years of dedicated service to the Greek system at IU.

Congratulations to the alumni and collegiate brothers of Alpha Iota Chapter on 100 years at IU – Go Hoosiers!

You can send personal notes of congratulations to Alpha Iota Chapter President Colin Gorney by clicking here. Alpha Iota’s Centennial Celebration will be held July 23-25 in Bloomington. Click here to register. 

For more information, visit the Alpha Iota Centennial Celebration Facebook Group here. 

In honor of their Centennial Celebration, we are re-printing early articles about Alpha Iota and their chapter's Installation from the May 1921 issue of The Rattle.

The new chapter was given an unusually effective exemplification of the initiatory degrees. This was due largely to the efficiency of Brother Schmoeller; who was in charge.

Social activities preceded and followed the installation of Alpha Iota. An informal dinner and smoker in the spacious living rooms of the Dalethian house Friday evening served the very desirable purpose of making everyone feel that they were acquainted with everyone else. Rousing songs of the various universities represented, as well as Dalethian and ѲX songs, were sung between the dinner courses with characteristic collegiate enthusiasm. Brother Lasher, to whom the task of toastmaster had been delegated, tried to make everyone comfortable by stating that each person present should be prepared to speak as no one, not even himself, knew who should be called upon. This warning proved to be adequate, for the responses from visiting Theta Chis and Dalethians, old and young. were distinctly of the snappy variety and contained meat as well as spice. Those who responded were Messrs. C. A. Amick, E. W. Arnett, L. E. Carlson. and S. C.

Lacey of the Dalethians, Brothers Greene on behalf of the Grand Chapter, Lytle and Messing of Rho, Isley and Pigg for Alpha Delta, Dreese and Every for Alpha Gamma. The spirit of the affair was indicative of the spirit of brotherhood which was to prevail throughout the events of the following day and assured the visitors that there would be no question as to the loyalty and enthusiasm of Alpha Iota for ѲX.

Saturday evening the Blue Lantern was the scene of a formal banquet in honor of the installation. Seventy men sat down at well-appointed small tables after the stirring Indiana University anthem had been sung. This event was marked by a unique feature. It not only had after dinner speeches but a before-dinner speech. President W. L. Bryan of Indiana University was unable to remain for the banquet on account of a previous engagement, but he extended the greetings of the University to ѲX and assured the Fraternity that if the group which it had honored by the granting of a charter made as good a chapter in the Fraternity as it had as the Dalethian Club it would be a credit to the University and the Fraternity.

Brother Roy E. Shanks served agreeably as toastmaster. Dean S. E. Stout, Dean C. M. Hepburn, Dr. B. D. Myers, and Professor John W. Cravens, members of the Indiana University faculty, extended congratulations to Alpha Iota Chapter and the ѲX Fraternity, mingling with them sage advice and praise for the new chapter. Brother C. O. Davisson spoke feelingly of the pride and the satisfaction that the new chapter felt in receiving a charter in the ѲX Fraternity and pledged himself and his associates to loyalty to ѲX and to Indiana University. Brother Arthur Schmoeller of Rho discussed "ѲX's Place in the Conference" m0st effectively, and incidentally paid a high tribute to the new chapter, which he had investigated before the charter was granted. Brother Lasher took as the subject for his toast, "The Fraternity, a Practical Investment."

The banquet was followed by a most attractive reception and dance at the University Assembly Hall, which was artistically decorated for the event. An arched canopy of red and white streamers covered "the space reserved for dancing, while latticework partitions, through which vines were entwined, made charming booths around the outer edges of the hall. Guests at the affair included besides the visiting brothers and their dancing partners, prominent members of the faculty and representatives of the various fraternities and sororities on the Indiana campus.

ALUMNI.

E. W. Arnett, West Lafayette, Ind.; Herbert Smith, S. M. Hylton, Brownsburg, Ind.; Bert C. Elliot, Jasonville, Ind.; James H. Butler, Edmund B. Haggard, Charles O. McCormick, Indianapolis, Ind.; Gilbert D. Rhea, James C. Rhea, Eminence, Ind.; Donald Van Hoy, Pendleton, Ind.; Wendell H. Kinsey, Mentone, Ind.; Kelin R. Warne, Tipton, Ind.; Leslie G. Smith, Hagerstown, Ind.; Russell P. Harker, Frankfort, Ind.; Harold S. Spencer, Thornton, Ind.