Found: Wilson Heller's papers

hoosier · #1 11-14-2002, 12:28 PM

UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS ARCHIVES HOLDINGS DATABASE
I don't think it was a secret, but Wilson Heller's papers and archive are at the Univ. of Illinois, and here is the listing from their web page.
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Record Group: Student Affairs
Sub-group: Programs and Services, Office of the Dean of Students
Wilson Heller Papers, 1937-1983
Record Series Number: 41/2/52
Volume: 13.2 cubic feet
Arrangement: Alphabetically within subject areas and chronologically thereunder

Description: Correspondence and Subject Files used in compiling annual comparisons and Fraternity Insider articles on fraternities and sororities. Includes notes, surveys, chapter ratings, magazine and newspaper clippings, copies of Pot-Pourri (1964-1965), and Fraternity Insider (1965-1983), and publications of the College Survey Bureau, Inc., and Fraternity Consultants, Inc. Subject includes chapter management, college Fraternities Secretaries Association (1969-1977), Fraternity Hall of Fame (1972-1983), Interfraternity Research Advisory Council (1955-1962), National Interfraternity Council (1949-1979), Phi Kappa Alpha alumni (1950-1980). Includes correspondence with John A. Buchroeder (primarily concerning Balfour Monopoly Case) (1959-1974), Edward Georgeff (1964-1982), Stewart Howe (1953-1964), Ralph W. Wilson (Director of College Fraternity Scholarship Processing) (1953-1961), and Don Young (1960-1967). Also includes photographs and award plaques.

AGDAlum · #2 05-13-2004, 10:52 PM

Bump!

Erik P Conard · #3 05-14-2004, 04:57 AM

A WWI flier...an "ace" he was also an erstwhile press agent.
Wilson and his bow tie with a print shirt, has glass case in the
left pocket, white moustache..was easily recognized.
A crusty old guy...'bout my age when I knew him, he was a member of Pi Kappa Alpha, Mizzou chapter. While he was not
close to them during his halcyon days, I can assure you he'd
be mighty pround of PiKA...aka Pike...today.
Heller did not like freeloaders, phonies, and most of the old line
eastern outfits as well as the NIC.
He was quite close to TKE and many of the fieldmen, including
myself. While he was badmouthed openly, a huge number of
fraternity headquarters read his stuff. When I went on the road
in '57 TKE was #4 (I think) in number of chapters, and by the time
I went off, we were #1. Complacency set in, just like he would often say...He constantly said that as a rule the largest chapter
was generally regarded as tops and the "quality vs. quality" defense was pure bullshit...and those advocates...losers. He was
a "doer' and not a fan of ignorant (of our purposes) deans.
Wilson B Heller did more for the Greek system than any single person in frat'y (his favorite spelling) history.
Heller was deep down, a right guy, a good heart, and I am proud
to have known him. I have saved about 50 of his letters to me,
those written on napkins, paper scraps, whatever...he invented
recycling. Heller was a one-er, a man we all should thank.

NutBrnHair · #4 05-14-2004, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Erik P Conard
...
those written on napkins, paper scraps, whatever...he invented
recycling.

Erik, that part sounds like Mary Love Collins! She'd chop off the top of the Chi Omega letterhead when the National Officers changed and have it reprinted with the new names on an odd size paper.

Was Mr. Heller well-acquainted with MLC?

33girl · #5 05-14-2004, 09:53 AM

Can anyone look at these archives, or do you need some sort of special dispensation? I really wish some of the stuff they have was viewable online!!

AGDAlum · #6 05-15-2004, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
Can anyone look at these archives, or do you need some sort of special dispensation? I really wish some of the stuff they have was viewable online!!

Here is the info about the University of Illinois archives:

http://web.library.uiuc.edu/ahx/userregs.htm

The NPC archives are there, too.

Tom Earp · #7 05-15-2004, 03:53 PM

Well, I am sure when this was written by This Gentleman, there were only two Greek Types of Oganizations. NIC and NPC. Of course the MGLOs were not even thought about and in those times, not even sure BGLOs were recognized.

I am EConard can be of help there.

Firehouse · #8 05-15-2004, 04:52 PM

I had a subscription to his newsletter and saved many of them. Though they're entertaining and packed with information, they're very hard to read, written as they were in Heller's unique style. I don't know that putting the text alone on the web would do justice to his work. He pulled no punches, leaving diplomacy behind long ago. But he was a wealth of knowlege and to those interested in the greek system he was the ultimate "insider". Great stuff!!