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VIII. Dedication
As a pledge and as a brother, I never really realized the lack of Alumni support we had until I saw how much people on this board were involved with their chapters. Sure it could have made things easier with some extra guys and experience around, but hey, we did what we could.
But I remember one person, Bill Whitmore, the most out of any alumni.
When I was a pledge, and for most of my time in Gamma Zeta, Bill Whitmore was our High Pi. He's an older gentelman, probably in his late 70's early 80's right now, skinny, but he was never afraid to grab a bucket of tar on a 90 degree summer day and resurface our driveway. He was that type of guy.
Bill lived in Sunderland, a town just north of Amherst, for his entire life. Sunderland is where Bill Cosby owns his farm. Sunderland was and is still partly a farming community. Bill grew up on his family farm, where he still lives today.
Bill's father was a respected member of the community. In the 40's and 50's his father was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives where he served for many years. He was one of the most vital people for organizing and getting the funding for the major renovations and expansions for the Umass-Amherst campus. I would have to guess that 50%-65% of the campus right now is there because of Bill's dad. In fact, his contributions were so great, that they named the major building at Umass the Whitmore Administration Building. (That building is pretty much were all major offices are). The amazing thing about the naming of the building, was that Bill's dad was still alive when they named it for him. That is something very rare and unique and is considered to be a high honor.
His father also attended Umass-Amherst, then Mass. Agricultural. In fact, he was a fouding member of Thata Chi's alpha chapter.
Bill came to Umass like his father, and joined LXA in the 50's. Needless to say it was alot different then, but alot was still the same. He was a good brother, holding positions and was dedicated. You could say his life really began in Gamma Zeta.
He used to tell us that he got his first job in the common rooms when a General Electric representative was recruiting college men for the company. He was interviewed and hired in those common rooms. Bill was also one of the very first "Mr. Wizards" if any of you can remember them.
Bill was a character. He was older than all of us, but he knew, he knew. He wasn't stupid. He knew we would try to fudge the rules now and then, but he also knew that we couldn't be perfect angels. He did know when too much was too much.
I first met Bill at a rush event. I was introduced to him. The first thing a brother asked Bill was:
"Hey Bill, would you ever lie for us?"
Bill replied: "Well, I can't lie for you guys. But I can tell stories that don't go anywhere."
Tonight: Bill Continued.
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