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chapter/fraternity histories
there were lots of fraternity and chapter histories written before,
say, 1920. They were limited editions but are found in many major college libraries. I used to browse the stacks at the U of IL
and found a great many, well done.
I wrote the 1950-60 section of TKE's hundredth (1999) as I entered high school in '50 and graduated BS in '60. What was passed on to me was simply AWFUL and incorrect. I re-wrote it
and came up with about 50 pages for that period, indeed a halcyon one, growth-wise. I worked as a field rep from 57-60 and
interviewed all but one of the national organizers, and sat with two of the founders of TKE, knew all living national presidents.
Yearbooks need be consulted, and interviews are paramount. I'd
guess a thousand hours, and depending on your your budget, you should realize that this'd only be done once, so put plenty of
love in it. Chapter histories might include some incidents, but as a
rule, local stories are of little value. Do not try to embellish or to
recall things that did not happen.
I wrote my PhD on "A History of Kansas' Closed Colleges" and I could have had 500 pages had not my Chairman told me to get it
done, revise it later, get the degree and get the hell out.
It is a labor of love, do it right, and you will never regret it.
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