  From multiple angles, our Q.T.V. and Omega Mu brothers have enriched the civic life at the University of Maine, and we are fortunate to have had many hardworking, talented brothers throughout our history. The balance between our athletic involvement, intellectual pursuits, and campus involvement is compelling. What they accomplished in their respective pursuits at the university constitutes a wonderful achievement in our fraternal history. There efforts were good and laudable, and there efforts represented the very best of our core values of persistence and determination. It is, believe me, a wonderful achievement, on the part of generations of Omega Mu brothers, for the respective gifts that they gave for the civic good at the University of Maine. In our historically calm, customary fashion, 149 years and growing, it was a rich yield for the common good of the Maine community, All of them, through their various commitments and endeavors within the University of Maine community, improved and brightened up the quality of life of the university community with their enthusiasm and dedication to their respective University of Maine teams, organizations, and clubs. They each had uniques strengths as actors, artists, musicians, athletes, and journalists, and they all embodied the shared commitment to do something well for the University of Maine community. Fraternally integrity demands that, and we are proud of all of these brothers. Over the years, many of our Omega Mu brothers held leadership roles on various University of Maine newspapers and yearbooks. Their contributions in creating something good in the university community cannot be overstated. "Good" does not, in reality, do justice in acknowledging their positive contributions. Each of them performed a vital function for the University of Maine community. They had a willingness to work, the willingness to accept challenges, in order to be focused, informative journalist in order to create daily newspapers and yearbooks that were interesting and informative. Their leadership style was authentic, and their generous, laborious work deserve praise and recognition in our brotherhood. They collected information, organized information, checked and re-checked facts, shared ideas, read and re-read every article, and proofed and re-proofed every page in the yearbook. They always gave of their time and talent in attending to each of these elements in order to write commendable, informative, and properly edited newspaper articles, and in sifting through thousands of pictures and thoughtfully crafting, shaping, and editing yearbooks. Their hard work, in turn, was to produce something, whether it was the university newspaper or yearbook, that was well-written, well-edited, and journalistically constructive, interesting, meaningful, and significant, in the short or long term. With drive and persistence, what our Q.T.V. and Omega Mu brothers achieved, in their numerous leadership roles on various newspapers and yearbooks, was complementary to everything we fraternally applaud for all of or brothers who were positively involved in the University of Maine community. What they achieved had real, enduring worth and value for the University of Maine community. They were indispensable. They made lasting contributions to the social well-being of the university community in keeping students well-informed and enlightened. These Omega Mu brothers embodied our old fraternal truth in being perseverant and determined in being faithful and generous with their gifts. In other words, our journalist brothers are a testament to our collective fraternal spirit of genuine integrity, industry, dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding to our long-standing history of civic engagement at the University of Maine. And as we enter our 150th fraternal year as the oldest, most historically distinguished fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine, we humbly acknowledge that we are the beneficiaries of God's sustaining grace, as well as the hard work human work and sustaining human grace of generations of Q.T.V. - Phi Gamma Delta brothers. We would not be here without their collective human work. Concrete results matter in life, and we continue to be here because of all of our brothers who have shaped and guided our brotherhood during our first 150 years. Because of the work of generations of brothers, in word and deed, we remain a fraternal brotherhood of historic power, durability, resilience, and significance at the University of Maine. This brotherhood will continue to be an open-hearted gift, a human grace, to generations of young men for another 150 years. In other words, with an equal balance of fraternal heart, mind, and body, they will continue to incarnate the truth of the following snippet of wisdom by Henry David Thoreau: "action from principle, the perception and performance of the right." Most importantly, we continue to thrive with the recent pledging of some wonderful young men. They are a good match, and they will accomplish a great deal because they will take fraternal pride in achievement, value thoughtfulness towards their Omega Mu brothers, and maintain a collaborative work ethic to keep the house in good order. After all, fraternal poise and discipline have carried us this far in our history. Therefore, our deep-rooted fraternal heritage is only going to deepen because of the present undergraduates, and they will continue to prove that the good of our Omega Mu fraternal life still matters. Again and again, from our Q.T.V. fraternal founding through today, persistence and determination has defined our fraternal character and our enduring history at the University of Maine. They are our basic values, the enshrining heart of Phi Gamma Delta, and the present undergraduate brothers will continue to embody these values and add to to our history with their robust fraternal enthusiasm. These traits create the true meaning of our fraternal life, and our fraternal future rests on our generationally shared commitment to these two words in order for our trailblazing fraternal history to continue to endure and evolve into our third century at the University of Maine. Our fraternal history is distinguished, and it is worth being celebrated. There will be no shortage of pleasure at Pig Dinner this year in seeing the house full with generations of Omega Mu Fijis as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Castle in the historic grace of the Castle. The Castle is a special place, and its many rooms, the Phoenix Lounge, and the front lawn internalizes the memories of every brother from 1925 to the present. We cannot think about being Omega Mu Fijis without thinking about the Castle. As the great scientist and author Lewis Thomas beautifully stated: "We leave traces of ourselves wherever we go..." Perge. Q. T. V. Portrait Dudley E. Campbell, 1888  Q. T. V. Years     Our first fraternal home, now the site of Coburn Hall, is the second building in from the right.   "When fond reflections present them to view." N. E. Wilson  Q. T. V. Brother N. E. Wilson  The first fraternal brotherhood in the state of Maine sitting together in front of the first fraternal home in the Dirigo state that they paid for, designed and built! This building was occupied from 1876-1888.  "The first meeting place of fraternities on the Maine campus was in this building....The Building stood in the present site of Coburn Hall."  "The Q.T.V. Hall, erected in 1876 by the labor of members of the fraternity, stood where Coburn Hall is now.   The Q. T. V. Chapter is the second building in from the right.  "The entire expense of its erection was borne by the members and demanded from them considerable self-sacrifice and loyalty. As this was the first fraternity chapter house built in the State, it surely must have been a building to be proud of."   "MCS's first secret society was QTV, established at Maine in 1874. The organization subsequently affiliated with Phi Gamma Delta."  "Omega Mu Chapter Formed From Orono Chapter Of Q.T.V. Fraternity."   1886 photoshopped picture of our Q. T. V. brothers playing cards in the first Q. T. V. Chapter Hall.  "The hall of the Q. T. V. Fraternity was thrown open to visitors and was well inspected."   Q. T. V. Annual Reception      "The Orono Chapter of the Q. T. V. Fraternity met in goodly numbers at the Chapter hall."   "The reunion was prolonged until a late hour, and was one of the most enjoyable for years."  N. E. Wilson "N. E. Wilson delivered the address of welcome.  E. H. Elwell, Jr. Then followed a finely written poem by E. H. Elwell, Jr." 1888 Ivy Day       Honoring Samuel H. Clapp  "That while we bow in humble submission to the will of the Most High, we do not less mourn for our brother, who has been taken from us."  Samuel H. Clapp "That in the death of Samuel H. Clapp, this Chapter laments the loss of a brother who was, in every way, worthy of our respect and esteem. He was faithful and zealous as a brother, and an upright and noble man."    Board Of Editors D. E. Campbell, '88   "D. E. Campbell, '88...Editor-in-Chief."      "Captain...Cadet D. E. Campbell"     Valedictorian     "Valedictorian, D. E. Campbell"        “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge
0 Comments
Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Brett Varnum, 1983  Omega Mu Years       Our Omega Mu Chef, Friend, And Brother: JT         Omega Mu Brothers               Mud Bowl    Sled Bed  Omege Mu Newport Journey To Buddy's  Fiji 24 Hour Marathon        1982 Snow Sculpture     1983 Snow Sculpture  Fiji Island           University Of Maine Presque Isle    Brett Varnum is a good man who is a willing, able, and committed leader and citizen in his hometown, at the University of Maine at Presque Isle, with Northern Light and Health, and in teaching martial arts at the Discovery Center of Martial Arts. In short, Brett is a great gift, a great leader, to many, unreservedly so, and he does everything with a positive, caring spirit as an administrator and teacher. He encapsulates the sacredness and dignity of what it means to live life with deep human care and concern for others.  "Brett Varnum, UMPI's Foundation President   Brett Varnum serves as a coroporator to the Northern Light and Health Board of Directors. Discovery Center Of Martial Arts  Brett Varnum is the owner and lead instructor of the Discovery Center of Martial Arts in Easton, Maine.
Kyoshi means "One who is responsible for the teaching of teachers"     Brett Varnum is a man of remarkable character and commitment, and his good-natured, balanced approach has had a positive impact on countless numbers of people in everything that he does.  Balance  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our Omega Mu brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, D-Day, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Bernard A. LeBarge, 1938  Omega Mu Years   Omega Mu Housemother, Mrs. Vickers          Harvard's "Crimson Rambler"     1937-1938 Formal Dinner In The Castle With University Of Maine President Arthur Hauck         "Watie Akins' orchestra furnished the music." 1939 Snow Sculpture   1940 Snow Sculpture         Dudley Utterback "Chief Engineer" 1937 Pig Dinner               University Of Maine Athlete            
 World War II     Bernard A. La Barge served in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II     “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Paul D. Sargent, 1896  Q. T. V. Years     
   Q. T. V. Brothers in the Coburn Cadets L-R: second one in is Paul D. Sargeant; fifth one in is Merton E. Ellis; seventh one in is Charles A. Frost; the cadet holding the flag is Isaac G. Calderwood; the third cadet in from the right is Pearly F. Walker.   The Cadet    Paul D. Sargent is standing in the back, second one in from the left.
The Prism   Scholarship   Chapel Choir       "Aaron Burr...Paul Dudley Sargent"
Senior Debate   "That the United States shall annex the Hawaiian Islands. Affirmative. P. B. Palmer, P. D. Sargent." 
    "Toastmaster. Paul D, Sargent."  "Toastmaster. Paul D. Sargent"    "The Prism, '96, P.D. Sargent"     "International Arbitration...Paul Dudley Sargent...Machias"  Paul D. Sargent is first on the left, second row.  
 First Chief Engineer Maine State Highway Commission   Paul Sargent was selected in 1905 to be the first chief engineer of the Maine State Highway Commission, and he served in this position until 1911, and then he returned to this position in 1913, and he retired in 1928. As the chief engineer, he was charged to create, connect, and improve the highway system throughout the state of Maine, and he accomplished that task. He increased the Maine highway system from 1,300 miles to over 20,000 miles during his tenure as the chief engineer, and that these roads were connected as much as possible.  A 1919 Maine highway map   Road being built in Acadia.  "The future development of our tourist and summer resort business depends largely upon the development of our trunk line highways."   President Woodrow Wilson "Sargent's leadership and contributions to road-building extended beyond the borders of Maine. In 1914, he was one of the founders of the American Association of State Highway Officials in Washington D.C...The group then met with President Woodrow Wilson to promote state-level highway priorities and needs."  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Charles A. Morse, 1879  Q. T. V. Years  The First Fraternal House Built In The State Of Maine  Q. T. V. brothers in front of our first fraternal home, 1876-1878, the present site of Coburn Hall.   "The first meeting place of fraternities on the Maine campus was in this building which was constructed in 1876 for the Q. T. V. fraternity which later became Phi Gamma Delta. The building stood in the present site of Coburn Hall."    "The entire expense of its erection was borne by the members and this demanded from them considerable self-sacrifice and loyalty. As this was the first fraternity chapter house built in the State, it surely must have been a building to be proud of."  The Q. T. V. Chapter Hall is the second building in from the right.  The third student in from the left is Charles A. Morse, and the third student in from the right is Frank E. Kidder, our Q. T. V. brother who designed Coburn Hall, Holmes Hall, the original Wingate Hall, and our first Phi Gamma Delta house.         Railroad Engineer For The Chicago, Burlington, Quincy Railroad     Division Engineer Of The Mexican Central Railroad   Chief Engineer Of The Atchison, Topeka, And Santa Fe Railroad System In The United States  Charles A. Morse Was Affectionately Called "The Chief"       "At its largest the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway would own well over 13,000 miles of and the routes which made up its system would become some of the most heavily and strategically used throughout the West..."       President Of The American Railway Engineering Association  President Of The Western Society of Engineers   President Of The Chicago Engineers' Morse, Texas   The town was named in honor of Charles A. Morse  The Morse Home In Santa Fe  Charles A. Morse, left.  "For many years has been looked upon as the dean of railway engineers"  "His Record Stays On"  "He is considered an authority in his field and his opinions are seldom questioned. He leaves behind a record of accomplishments which should be a source of much pride and satisfaction." University Of Maine 50th Reunion   Three Omega Mu Brothers: Charles A. Morse, Dr. George Merrill, and Wilbur F. Decker  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Robie L. Mitchell, 1907  Omega Mu Years                   "The Omega Mu chapter of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity started off the social events for the new year by giving.....one of the most delightful dances ever held in the gymnasium."       "During the evening there was a short musical entertainment by various members, followed by light refreshments and the affair was in every way most enjoyable This is the second smoker to be given by Phi Gamma Delta during the past two years and has for its object the promotion of a closer relationship between the students and faculty. These smokers establish precedents which the other fraternities do well to adopt."    University of Maine Ice Carnival  "Ice Carnival Committee... Robie Lawton Mitchell"             President, Robie L. Mitchell, '08"    University Of Maine Law School          University of Maine Athlete             "Robie Mitchell, A 1907 Grad, Is The Father Of The Toll Turnpikes"    Maine Turnpike               Honoring Rudy Vallee  "The Mitchell Brothers Of Omega Mu"     “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our Omega Mu brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, D-Day, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Osgood A. Nickerson, 1922  Omega Mu Years          Intramural basketball champions in the library of the house.  Freshman Smoker At Phi Gamma Delta        "One of the best house parties ever held in the house will begin Friday night and terminate on Sunday night."   "The Phi Gam house at the University entrance was the Arctic scene for a brilliant fireworks display. Rockets and bombs soared and exploded before an enthusiastic crowd who had come to witness the spectacle."  The first Phi Gamma Delta Castle is on the left, and our last Q.T.V. Chapter Hall is on the right, after being renovated to become a girls dormitory, Vernon Hall. The open field is where the fireworks display occurred.        "Property Manager....Osgood Nickerson" Rifle Team        "Lieutenant Colonel O. A. Nickerson"   "He is the only officer who can go on a Friday night jaunt to Oldtown or the Queen City with a buck private and then bawl him out at drill the next morning and get away with it."   "At 2 o'clock the parade formed at the City Hall with the Maine Contingent, commanded by Lieut, Col. Osgood Nickerson, forming part of the second division." R.O.T.C. Encampment        World War II  Osgood A. Nickerson served in the United States Army during World War II, and he retired a colonel after thirty years of service.  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Whitman H. Jordan, 1875  Q. T. V. Years  Q. T. V. Brothers In Orono        The Class Of 1875   Louis C. Southard, Q. T. V. - Omega Mu Brother   "....nearly all acquainted with hard work, economical in their habits and in the main determined to accomplish something worth while on the college course."   "Jordan is the lion"  "Jordan...had the courage to elect agriculture."  "Members of the class took a prominent part in establishing the Q. T. V. Society which was really the first fraternity organized at the college."     University of Maine Athlete     Concert Before Graduation      "Jordan, Prophet"  "At the close of the exercises we smoked the pipe of peace, shook hands, and since that day some members of the class have never met."  MA At Cornell University 1878   Wesleyan University  Whitman H. Jordan was an assistant teacher in chemistry at the Wesleyan University in 1878-1879. In addition, he also worked in the first experimental station in the United States that was in Middletown. He would become a pioneering leader in the agricultural experiment stations movement throughout the United Sates and around the word.  Wesleyan campus in the late 1870's.   Whitman returned to Maine State College as an instructor in chemistry and agriculture from 1879-1880.   Mount Nittany in the background.   Whitman H. Jordan taught agricultural courses at Penn State from 1880-1885.    "The agricultural faculty carried on the only scientific research worthy of the name, beginning in 1881 when agricultural chemist Whitman H. Jordan joined the staff and initiated his much celebrated series of experiments with fertilizers. Jordan laid out 144 soil plots of one-eighth acre each, carefully recorded what types of crops were sown in which plots, and noted the kinds of fertilizer used. The Jordan fertility plots were the American counterparts of the pots at England's Rothamstead station, where Evan Pugh conducted research."  "Jordan Soil Plots"  "Jordan Soil Plots were a pioneer effort to determine long-term effects of fertilizer on soil and crops...were established in 1882 by Professor Whitman H. Jordan. Some remained under study as late as 1959."   Whitman H. Jordan returned to the University of Maine in 1885 to become the director of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station for the eleven years.  Whitman H. Jordan returns to Maine to become the first director of the director of the Agricultural Experiment Station at the University of Maine.  The recently completed center portion of the Maine Agricultural Experiment Station with the second Q.T.V. Chapter Hall to the left, 1889-1890.  Experiment Station, center; Q.T.V. Hall, left, and the green house where experiments were conducted.  The present site of the Hauck Library was a farm field where Whitman H. Jordan conducted experiments, as he had done at Penn State, with different types of crops and fertilizers. Please note the the three individuals in the field. In addition, the second Q.T.V. is the white building on the right with one window on the second floor.   Picture of Whitman H. Jordan and the Experiment Station, now Holmes Hall.  Early 1890's photo of our second Q. T. V Chapter Hall and the Experiment Station cum Holmes Hall. University Of Maine Faculty, 1895  Our Q.T.V.-Omega Mu Brothers: James N. Hart, Lieut. Mark Hersey, Whitman H. Jordan, Walter Flint, Fred Briggs, George H. Hamlin, Horace M. Estabrooke, James M. Bartlett, Freemont L. Russel, Allen E. Rogers.      Whitman H. Jordan became the director of the New York State Experiment Station in 1896, and he staid in this position for twenty-five years. During his tenure, he improved the experiment station in innumerable and measurable ways. First, he established the departments of Chemistry, Horticulture, Vegetable Pathology, Animal Husbandry, and Entomology in the experiment station. Second, he instructed his experimental staff to do original, innovative research in all agricultural areas in order to improve dairy farming, fertilizer usage on plants, plant durability, and water usage to grow crops. And, more importantly, he believed that the agricultural research done in the experiment stations, in each state, should take into account the the important agricultural industries in each state, as well as the soil and climate in each state. He believed that this was fundamentally important for the financial well-being of the famers in each state, as well as the overall well-being of the land, crops, and farm animals. Therefore, the connection between the agricultural experiment stations in each state and the farmers was vital for the health of the land, the various types of cattle, the crop health and crop abundance of particular plants, and, ultimately, the financial well-being of the famers. His long-range resolve was for the good to prevail in all these areas due to the exhaustive research and testing, in the various departments, that he established at the New York State Experiment Station.      "His life has always been an active one, and he is one of those restless, energetic men whose whole lives are an incessant battle to overcome problems the solutions of which will be of inestimable benefit to the great cause of humanity."    The staff at Geneva in 1921. Whitman H. Jordan is in the middle of third row. "Legacy Of Work"   "He has left to the members of this staff a legacy of work well done, a life well spent, and a record of great accomplishments as scientist, administrator, and citizen...Let us record here our enduring regard for him as man and Director, and pass on to those who are to succeed us the heritage of his achievements."  "Jordan was, first of all, a man of unflinching integrity - a vigorous, high-minded advocate of truth....Invariably, he stood for righteousness. He was in every respect a good citizen." Jordan Hall At Cornell University    Author        Speech To University Of Maine Students On The History Of The University  University of Maine Chapel        Since our fraternal history started at the University of Maine in 1874, we have had many brothers have made a positive impact in the world in their various careers. Some, however, have been exemplary in their career achievements. Throughout his wonderful trailblazing career in agricultural experiment stations, Whitman H. Jordan, with human warmth, clear-sighted vision, and unbound enthusiasm established the enduring, innovative model of what agricultural experiment stations should do, and in doing so he influenced the world with his practical ideas and solutions for the overall good of land, cattle, crops, and humanity. Whitman H. Jordan led a vibrant, unique, and responsible life during his entire career in making lasting contributions to society through his exhaustive work in agriculture and animal husbandry that are fundamental to this day. He did not waver in his mission to do everything with scientific thoroughness and personal integrity at the University of Maine, Wesleyan University, Penn State, and the New York Experimental Station. The rewarding journey of Whitman H. Jordan's entire career, in all these university experiment stations, is a vividly sincere fraternal portrait of a brother who was truly guided persistence and determination, our defining fraternal ethos for the past 150 years. These descriptive words were foundational to who Whitman H. Jordan was as a person, chemist, and leader throughout his dynamic career in experiment stations in Maine, Connecticut, and New York when the revolutionary idea of agricultural experiment stations was a growing movement. Truly, it was a decisive movement in the United States, and Whitman H. Jordan was an acknowledged pioneering leader in the movement for all the positive milestones he helped bring about to make positive difference in the world for humanity, animals, land, and crops. Perge.  “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)   Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Truthfully, there is no fraternal brotherhood quite like Omega Mu at the University of Maine. We are proud of our history, and we are proud of the impressive number of fraternal brothers who played on many University of Maine athletic teams. In addition, we are equally proud of our brothers participated achieved national and international recognition in sports With conviction and commitment, our Omega Mu athlete brothers brought a great deal of joy and satisfaction to the university community, creating many wonderful memories since the first baseball team was established at Maine State College in the 1870's. The worked together for the success of each Maine team, and the overall civic good of the University of Maine. The sheer number of Omega Mu athlete brothers is an unqualified triumph for the University of Maine. Their positive impact on the University of Maine community cannot be overstated. They each gave their best efforts on each team, and what they achieved perfectly compliments what we fraternally believe: drive and determination. It is a heady athletic legacy. Accordingly, their accomplishments claim our fraternal attention and respect. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are proud. Therefore, in the linked soul and spirit of our long fraternal history, we gratefully remember and celebrate our QTV and Omega Mu brothers who participated on many varsity athletic teams at the University of Maine. Our scorecard is deep, and we appreciate, and we are proud of, all of our Omega Mu athlete brothers. Thoreau said it best: “What a difference, whether in all your walks, you meet only strangers, or in one house is one who knows you, and whom you know. To have a brother…How rare these things are.” How true that is, and we remain that way to this day. Omega Mu Athlete Karl F. Switzer, 1926  Omega Mu Years                   "Snappy music was supplied by Shea's four piece orchestra."   Rhodes Scholar Candidate   "Select Four Maine Men To Compete For Rhodes Scholarship Committee Names Barrows, Pressey, Switzer, And Engstrom."  Our Omega Mu Brothers Rhodes Scholar Candidates: Switzer and Engstrom     Crew Champion   Although Karl F. Switzer did not play on any intercollegiate athletic team at the University of Maine, he was a member of several championship rowing teams, in fours and doubles, in Canada and the United States.  Most significantly, he won the singles crew championship of eastern Canada. Also, in 1923 he competed against Arthur Belyea, the Canadian singles sculling champion, and American Garrett Gilmore, the World's single sculling champion, and he lost to both by mere inches. Both Belyea and Gilmore represented Canada and the United States in the 1924 Olympics in France.  Arthur Belyea  Garrett Gilmore  Match Scull Race Winner: Carl Switzer  "Carl Switzer of the Batchelder Barge Club, of Philadelphia, winner of the match race for single scullers...came from behind to win handily over a high class field."  Charles River Basin    “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)   Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge Our Omega Mu brothers who served in the military are cherished and constant fraternal friends, and we would like to say thank you for the steadfast, purposeful commitment you made to our nation to defend those four freedoms we all believe in: “Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.” For those brothers who were killed in defense of these freedoms, they will always occupy a consecrated place in our linked fraternal heart because they exemplify the idea of superlative commitment, strength, and fortitude for the good to the end itself. The greatness of their collective purpose and will, on our nation’s behalf, will never be forgotten. By their “clear-eyed faith and fearless heart,” these brothers have left us a fraternal legacy that echoes what we often say about Omega Mu Fijis: “Perseverance and determination are omnipotent.” Their code of integrity, courage, duty, responsibility, and self-sacrifice on behalf of our nation is a powerful legacy that we will always be proud of as Omega Mu Fijis. Whether it was at New Orleans, Red River, Fort Blakely, Marianna, San Juan Hill, Santiago de Cuba, Chateau-Thierry, Verdun, D-Day, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Rabaul, Inchon, Pusan, Chosin Reservoir, Pork Chop Hill, Hue, Easter Offensive, Phu Cat, The Iron Triangle, Hamburger Hill, la Drang Valley, Bien Hoa, Khe Sanh, Rumaila, Al-Batin, Medina Ridge, Kabul, Kandahar, our Omega Mu brothers have demonstrated devotion to duty in defense of freedom and liberty. They are the stability of our nation, and we, the Omega Mu brotherhood, revere, honor, and salute their persevering and determined spirit within our great nation and our historic brotherhood. We will always honor the heroism of all of our brothers who have served in the armed forces from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Edwin G. Logan, 1952  Omega Mu Years   Mrs. Butts, Omega Mu Housemother             1950 Snow Sculpture   "WE WAS ROBBED"  1952 Snow Sculpture     Edwin G. Logan was a second lieutenant in the 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division during the Korean War, and he retired a colonel.              Korean War Memorial, Washington D.C.     “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)   Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge |
Archives
February 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed