Quote:
Originally posted by BSUPhiSig'92
About four years ago I embarked on a project to interview members of our chapter from their days as a local. The founders had all passed away, but I was able to interview a brother from the class of 1932 who had known some of them from his early years at Ball State. I went to his home down in Bloomington, and videotaped the interview. It was obvious that the fraternity had made a profound impression on his life, but he said that he lost touch with all of the brothers as a result of the hard times from the depression, and then service during the war. After the interview (a very interesting one), I thanked him for his time and he said to me "I had two daughters, and no son to join the fraternity, and my grandsons went to other schools and joined other fraternities, so I would like to give you some things from my days in the chapter." I proudly received his pin (which I had never seen the local one before), a paddle with our chapter and his wife's local on the other side that he made when they were dating, and a pair of cast lead (very very heavy) bookends in the shape of the local crest that he made in an industrial education class.
He was so happy to leave these items to someone who would hold them with the same value he did. I was nearly in tears. Despite that nearly 60 year difference in our ages, we shared that bond and I could relate to his experiences like he could to mine.
He even sent the chapter a $50 donation after that.
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That's is the most wonderful story! And you've inspired me. I've been thinking about our local and how we know next to nothing about it. Granted, most of the founders have passed away, but I've always wanted to get more information about the beginning of our chapter. Now, I'm on a mission!