  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. Fraternal integrity demands that, and we are proud of all of these brothers. The noble ideals of our linked fraternal brotherhood started in 1848 and 1874, and our fraternal wheels have not stopped turning in continuing to create a generationally great brotherhood, and there will not be a breakdown in our enthusiasm and dedication to continue to build upon our unique fraternal legacy at the University of Maine for many decades come. It is exciting and rewarding to know that we will continue to have a great fraternal future because we have an undisputed claim to durable greatness in being the oldest fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Again, again, and again, we have always gotten on with the job of continuing to be the standard of fraternal excellence. There are many reasons for our fraternal longevity, but the primary one is the character and integrity of the men who became Q.T.V.-Omega Mu brothers, up to the present young men who recently pledged. Generations of Q.T.V. and Omega Mu Fiji brothers who have worked tirelessly for us to arrive at this historic moment of our 150th anniversary. And so, the passage of our 149 fraternal years into our 150th fraternal year will never stop us from honoring and respecting the rich legacy of the fraternal past as we look fraternally forward to the rich promise of our growing history at the University of Maine! Our fraternal path of excellence will continue for another 150 years. It is in this spirit of our honoring our past and believing in our future that we reaffirm, honor, celebrate, and give thanks to our to our Q.T.V. brothers and their noble ideal of brotherhood: "enjoyment, sociability, and the best interest of its members through life." This formative ideal tie to our Q.T.V. past and our future is absolute, and it is not insignificant; it is real. It is the enduring principle for our fraternal longevity, and it will continue to be embodied by our brotherhood in all the years that lie ahead. Put simply, our Q.T.V. - Phi Gamma Delta fraternal life matters, and it is a life-long human grace to be a brother in the oldest fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. 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, and in the grounding generational belief in promises made and promises kept has created, in large measure, our 150 years of fraternal success at Maine. In truth, it is a fraternal covenant that lasts through life, 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, and with fraternal unity and one common goal, our deep-rooted fraternal heritage is only going to deepen because of the present undergraduates. 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. To repeat, persistence and determination is the heart of our 150 years of fraternal success at Maine. Our history is in the historic soil of the University of Maine. Our Q.T.V. - Phi Gamma Delta story is a proud single story, and we will always remain linked together because remain the premier fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine, and that is something to celebrate. I share all this by way of saying that I hope that many of you will consider returning to our historically distinguished fraternal home, the Castle, this coming April to re-connect with many brothers during Pig Dinner. It will be wonderful, even a grace, to have as many brothers attend as possible because we will be celebrating our combined 150th Q.T.V-Phi Gamma Delta history at Maine, and our 125th Phi Gamma Delta history with considerable Omega Mu enthusiasm. 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. It will be generationally moving, perhaps a unique historic grace, with a great deal of nostalgic reminiscing in the charm 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 and the memories therein. As the great scientist and author Lewis Thomas beautifully stated: "We leave traces of ourselves wherever we go..." Perge. Omega Mu Athlete William S. Murray, 1921  Omega Mu Years   The first Phi Gamma Delta house is first on the left.        "The Freshman at Phi Gamma Delta were the hosts on Thursday evening, at the first of the Freshman Smokers.....There were smokes and ice cream and the first step was taken in forming class spirit."
  "Phi Gam held a "Backward Party" Saturday night in which the couples came in old clothes and had to clim through a window to get into the house. The girls had to ask the boys to dance, for refreshments, and for cigarettes."        University of Maine Athlete        Murray Tackle          Founding Member of Jackson Laboratory, Bar Harbor, Maine    "Dr. Little was naturally much interested in the department, and it was through that relationship that he began to gather around him a group who wold be with him in Michigan and later in Bar Harbor as the original staff of the new laboratory. These were William and Joseph Murray....The younger Murray brother, Joseph, then an undergraduate, was to take care of Dr. Little's mice." Incorporation of Jackson Laboratory  "Rodrick, Little, and Murray were named directors on the incorporation papers, with Dr. Little as president and Dr. Murray as treasurer."   Dr. William S. Murray was responsible for overseeing the day-to-day construction of Jackson Laboratory in 1929.   Dr. William S. Murray was a member of the ground-breaking scientific research team at Jackson Laboratory that made the medical breakthrough in understanding one of the most complex medical challenges: cancer. Through their meticulous, patient team approach they chipped away at the entrenched idea that cancer was an insoluble medical problem. Through their hard work, the Jackson Laboratory team discovered the underpinning medical agent of cancer by studying tumors in mice which gave rise to the virus theory of the disease, a theory which has been proven to be a true in 15%, of all cancer cases around the world. It was a huge leap forward in understanding the why of cancer, and it was life-time achievement for William S. Murray.  "The research staff included two brothers (two Omega Mu Phi Gamma Delta Brothers) from Maine who had been Dr. Little's students. To feed the staff, Dr. Joseph Murray provided vegetables from his family farm in Hampden, and Dr. William Murray led fishing expeditions."  Dr. Joseph M. Murray is in the middle.  Omega Mu Brother, Joseph M. Murray World War II  William S. Murray was a lieutenant commander on an aircraft carrier during World War II. Administrative Director of Jackson Laboratory   After his military service during World War II, Dr. William S. Murray returned to the Jackson Memorial to become the administrative director. What he accomplished exemplifies the primary value we hold as Phi Gamma Delta Fijis: persistence and determination in working for the greater good.   “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
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, our Omega Mu brothers have been involved in many musical productions at the University of Maine, and praise for them is merited. With the same unconditional focus, diligence and discipline as our athlete brothers, our musically focused brothers, through many decades, brought richness ands joy to the University of Maine community because of their involvement on various bands, orchestras, and choral groups. Their commitment was compelling, and the quality and depth of their art form enriched the lives of countless generations of students at the university, as well as many towns and cities throughout Maine and New England. Generously, with never-ending joy and inspiration, they always gave of their time and talent for the good in all of their musical performances. The embodied our old fraternal truth in being perseverant and determined in being faithful and generous with their beautiful musical gifts. Our Omega Mu Maine music brothers, just like our athlete and Maine Masque brothers, are an enriching testament to what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu. We remain proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such a rich angle in our fraternal history at the University of Maine. Above all, what a superb gift to give anyone: music. Omega Mu Portrait Benjamin Haskell, 1912  Omega Mu Years                  Boston Boat Wharf in Bangor   "The first stop was Verona Park where dinner was served and an hour or so spent in dancing."   "After the dance the boat went to Belfast. Here a snappy game of baseball was played between the upperclassmen and the freshmen."             Benjamin Haskell was the First Violin            University of Maine Chapel   “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 Omega Mu Voice Michael R. Porter, 1973  In 1969, I transferred from the University of Dayton in Ohio to UMO after being recruited by Coach Walt Abbott. When I traveled up to Orono, in late August, for the football meeting, I was with my parents who wanted to see the campus. While traveling 95, my father gave me a lecture about driving too fast. Then it happened, the engine in my MG threw a rod and the car jumped three lanes and almost kill us. While sitting on the side of the road, my father could only think about the football meeting and that we were going to be late. Finally, a state trooper stopped to check on us and was immediately accosted by my father on how the trooper needed to drive us to the campus to catch the football meeting. Only in Maine would you see a trooper drove us from Bangor to Orono at 95 miles an hour to catch the meeting.   However, I was 10 minutes late. So, when I opened the gym door it squeaked to where Walt turned and looked to see who was late for his meeting. The look was a hard stare as most of us can imagine, so I stood next to the door leaning against the wall of the gym. Within five minutes, the squeaky door opened again, this time Walt's nasty stare was on another U-Maine football candidate, Steve Hayward. So, the first person I ever met at Orono was the man himself, both of us beside each, leaning against the gym wall. Since we both knew no one, we stuck together, including lockers next to one another.  Coach Walt Abbott, above and below   Omega Mu Brother Stephen J. Hayward We managed to make room changes and Steve moved into my room during second semester. Steve was two years older than me since he made a detour through Vietnam. When he moved into the dorm my parents came up for a weekend and they were impressed with how neat Steve had move all his stuff in, very military like. They commented on the jars of cocktail onions and olives he had on the shelf, and why would someone just have jars on a bookcase? When my parents left I asked Steve why the jars? He said he drained out the juice and filled it back with Vodka! Steve drove a red Austin Healy 3000 convertible! He also had the best stereo system in Orono which he liked to place them at the open window on nice days to share with the entire campus. Steve totaled the Austin Healy that spring while driving two girls from our dorm, one was Paula who later married Pag.    Steve receiving the Silver Star in Vietnam  Omega Mu Brother Ricard M. Paganucci, Above and Below   Mike Porter One off season Steve and I had a contest on who could put on the most weight, I am talking around 30 Lbs. This is where Steve got the name Bimbo the baby elephant, and most of the weight was gained at Pat’s where we both worked in the Den for Tyler Libby and his gang of FIJI thieves. Every night Steve would order special a cheese burger with lettuce and tomato and lots of mayo. The name was given in honor of Steve and it was called the Bimbo burger as we know it today. My last time at Pat’s the Bimbo burger was proudly still on the menu.   Steve was not a linebacker, he was a fullback. Steve played freshmen and thought about continuing his second year until we spent the summer at Falmouth down on the cape with a bunch of FIJI misfits! Steve opted to extend the summer verse hanging out with Walt in the middle of August at U-Maine. Once Steve met Bonny it was all over for him, they married his Junior year and had a son Michael. I just remember driving him to the church since I was the best man. The marriage did not last long so Steve was on the move again. This time he was a state trooper and on his way to becoming the personal body guard for the Governor of Maine. He was living in Falmouth, Maine with Peter Stanwick and other FIJI studs when we all were going to drive up for Pig Dinner. This was 2 years out of college for me, so I drove up early on a Friday night so we could all head up to Orono once everyone got out of work. While killing time, Stanwick talked me into going to a bar since his girlfriend was a teacher and all her worker friends were hitting the bar. This is where I met my wife of 46 years…..again, all great things in my life have Hayward’s fingerprints all over it. We also didn’t make it to Orono that weekend for Pig Dinner. But while I was courting my future wife, I would spend each weekend in Portland where Steve and I played touch football for a team called Hanks Cookies. He was a Phi Mu who owned a bakery. It was during this time that Steve was offered the opportunity to join the Treasury. Many years later Steve called me when we was working a case in Massachusetts as the lead treasury agent. My wife and I met Steve who was working a big case that was going to trial in New Bedford, Mass. Steve followed the money in the investigation of drug deals coming from South America. He showed us photo’s of barrels being x-rayed showing the hidden cash inside the barrels. Somewhere along the way, Steve learned Spanish and traveled to Columbia to work undercover for the Feds. Eventually, he was hired as a contractor and was living in Columbia for some time, and at some point he had a severe stroke that was not treated properly and caused his being paralyzed from the neck down.  Omega Mu Brothers Steve Hayward and Jim McLean  I visited Steve at the veterans hospital right after he returned to the USA. He was unable to speak or move anything, it was a tragedy! Years later, both Zinno and I visited Steve at his home in York where he lived with his wife Terry. Steve had made huge progress on speaking and even starting to stand. My biggest regret was not staying in touch more after that visit.  John Zinno
He only had a few stories to share about Vietnam. One that I will always remember was after he was shot in the throat he was given the last rights, and his father, Brig. Gen. Hayward, was notified that his son was killed in action. He prayed this was not the case and understood that it could be a mistake, so he waited several days to get it confirmed and told no one. Thank the lord the big guy did make it through and blessed us all with his presence at UMO, a special person in all our lives. Love you, Stevie  “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. 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. 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. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. So, to summarize, for the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. 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. That is a proud fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete Robert H. Hanson, 1949  Omega Mu Years 
Omega Mu Housemothers, Mrs. Neil and Mrs. Houston  Omega Mu Housemother Mrs. Vickers           "Santa Claus Comes To Phi Gam House For Orono Children."  "Phi Gamma Delta Entertains Children At Christmas Party"    1941 Snow Sculpture  "Phi Gam's snow sculpture last week probably the most beautiful this university has ever seen."    "One of the finest examples of snow and ice sculpture at the carnival....Dudley Utterbcak was chief designer."  John D. Utterback World War II  Robert H. Hanson was a private in the Army Air Corps during World War II.  1948 Snow Sculpture   University of Maine Athlete               “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, 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 James Van Valkenburgh, 1965  Omega Mu Years 
Omega Mu Housemothers Mrs. Tate and Mrs. Blaisdell      
   1962 Snow Sculpture  1963 Snow Sculpture   1965 Snow Sculpture    "Games, stories, and presents made the evening fun for children of all ages."       University of Maine Athlete       Football Team Inducted in 2023  "Maine's 1961 team was one of the best in UM history."  Omega Mu Fiji Brothers on the 1961 Football Team  James Van Valkenburgh  David H. Crabtree  John R. Roberts Military Career    James taking the oath of enlistment into the United States Navy, and he became a Grumman E-1 Tracer pilot.   The Death of Omega Mu Brother Paul L. Stimpson In Vietnam  Omega Mu Brother, Paul L. Stimpson James Van Valkenburgh was a very close friend of Paul Stimpson, and after Paul Stimpson died on April 22, 1967, near Bien Hoa, South Vietnam, James Van Valkenburgh was personally contacted to provide military escort for Paul's casket from Dover Air Force Base to Portland for his funeral.  Paul L. Stimpson  "Think not the longest life is the happiest: That which is best employed, doth man the most honor."  U.S.S. Hornet To Vietnam 1968-1969   From 1968-1969, Lieutenant Van Valkenburgh was deployed on the U.S.S. Hornet stationed at Yankee Station off of North Vietnam, a location that allowed air craft carriers to conduct air strikes on North Vietnam, as well as to provide surveillance for ground troops, and the accurate vectors for enemy targets.  U.S.S. Hornet to North Korea 1969  In response to North Korea shooting down a Navy EC-121 by a MIG 21, the U.S.S. Hornet was one of the ships sent to the Sea of Japan.       1969 Apollo 11 Landing On The Moon         James Van Valkenburgh's plane was the primary recovery aircraft to locate the Apollo 11 capsule upon its reentry and splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.               “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. 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. 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. Their sacrifice of time was worth the effort for them and the student body at the University of Maine who watched them play. They created many warm memories since the early 1870’s. For the eminence of their athletic success; and, above all, for being our Omega Mu brothers, we are all very proud. 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. That is a proud fraternal legacy. Omega Mu Athlete Godfrey L. Soderstrom, 1904  Omega Mu Years             "Monaghan's Orchestra of Ellsworth furnished music for the reception at the Phi Gamma Delta house on Tuesday afternoon."   Reunion      University of Maine Athlete        "G. L. Soderstrom....Captain"      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, our Omega Mu brothers have been involved in many musical productions at the University of Maine, and praise for them is merited. With the same unconditional focus, diligence and discipline as our athlete brothers, our musically focused brothers, through many decades, brought richness ands joy to the University of Maine community because of their involvement on various bands, orchestras, and choral groups. Their commitment was compelling, and the quality and depth of their art form enriched the lives of countless generations of students at the university, as well as many towns and cities throughout Maine and New England. Generously, with never-ending joy and inspiration, they always gave of their time and talent for the good in all of their musical performances. The embodied our old fraternal truth in being perseverant and determined in being faithful and generous with their beautiful musical gifts. Our Omega Mu Maine music brothers, just like our athlete and Maine Masque brothers, are an enriching testament to what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu. We remain proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such a rich angle in our fraternal history at the University of Maine. Above all, what a superb gift to give anyone: music.  "Leader of Band.....Godfrey L. Soderstrom"  "G. L. Soderstrom, '04, Leader"      "Principal Musician,....Godfrey L. Soderstrom"        “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 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 there respective University of Maine teams, organizations, and club. They all did a good, positive job. 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. The noble ideals of our linked fraternal brotherhood started in 1848 and 1874, and our fraternal wheels have not stopped turning in continuing to create a generationally great brotherhood, and there will not be a breakdown. With enthusiasm and dedication, we will continue to build upon our unique fraternal legacy at the University of Maine for many decades come! It is exciting and rewarding to know that we will continue to have a great fraternal future because we have an undisputed claim to durable greatness in being the oldest, most dedicated fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Again, again, and again, we have always gotten on with the job of continuing to be the standard of fraternal excellence. And so, the passage of our 149 fraternal years will never stop us from honoring the rich legacy of those years as we look fraternally forward to the rich promise of our fraternal future! Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Samuel H. Clapp, 1875  Q. T. V. Years  Q. T. V. Brothers Living In Orono, 1872-1875        Q. T. V. Class of 1875  "The first fraternity organized at the college."  "Q. T. V. 1874."    "It is fair to say that as a rule the class was a fairly hard-working body of students."  Nicknames  "Clapp was plain Sam"   Q. T. V. Brother "Colesworthy, Poet"  Q. T. V. Brother "Jordan, Prophet"     "At the close of the exercise we smoked the pipe of peace, shook hands, and since that day some members of the class have never met."   Samuel H. Class was the Corresponding Secretary for Q. T. V.   "S. H. Clapp, Corresponding Secretary"      "Editors: George M. Shaw, Samuel H. Clapp Samuel W. Gould"  
 “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, 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 Stanley G. Phillips, 1917  Omega Mu Years          
""Amid the crackling of logs and peanut shell, stories were told and enthusiasm for the distant Frog Pond Scrap was aroused."  Ralph "Froggy" Pond  Preston M. Hall About 12 p. m. the Smoker wound up with a sing, three cheers for 1915 and a return three cheer for Phi Gamma Delta re-echoed from the porch. Br. P. M. Hall, '15 acted as Toastmaster."   "On Friday, February 4, the Phi Gams will have sleigh ride to Eddington. Supper will be served at Ward's farm."  "The Phi Gams held a faculty smoker to which the professors of the University were invited. The evening was spent with smokes, cards, and refreshments."
   University of Maine Athlete          World War I      Stanley G. Phillips was a private in the 6th United States Engineers during World War I, and they served in six campaigns: Somme, Champagne - Marne, Aisne - Marne, St. Mihiel, Meuse - Argonne, Champagne.   United States Army 6th Engineers Patch Pictures of United States Engineers in France during World War I       6th Engineers moving pontoons.  6th Engineers building a bridge. Citation for Meritorious Service And Devotion To Duty    “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 Omega Mu Voice John Kenealy, 1983  Omega Mu Voice John M. Kenealy, 1983 For those of us who came of age in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, Deliverance was an iconic movie. So, it was no surprise that we would give our end of school year canoe trips that name. The trips were typically three to four day affairs on the West Branch of the Union River out by the Airline Road.     On the first trip was Jeff Brinch, Matt Smith, and myself. Matt, or Scud, as we call him, canoed solo in a cut down canoe, while Brinchy and I used my old, keeled, aluminum canoe. Not the best river canoe on the planet!
Jeff Brinch and Matt Smith One of the highlights of this trip, besides the three pound brown trout that Scud landed, was the beginning of a tradition: SPAM Stew. Brinchy’s dad had served overseas in WW II, and it seems, one of the most ubiquitous foods served, was SPAM, which is rumored, stands for “Something Posing As Meat.”   It wasn’t just the stew, it was how it had to be made. Sure, the ingredients were the same as beef stew, with the substitution of SPAM. It was a very thick stew, as we would cook it down over the fire, then, the key was to mash it all together with, at first, a Mountain Nectar bottle, but, on later trips, a Bourbon bottle. 
Joel Gardiner and Jeff Farnsworth “Another Deliverance trip comes to mind. On this trip, were myself, Scud, Joel “Sluggo” Gardner, and Jeff “Mr. Wizard” Farnsworth. There were a few highlights to this trip. One was waking up covered with 2-3 inches of snow. Since it was before bug season, we had just covered ourselves in a tarp over our sleeping bags. We were expecting just a heavy dew. We got a little more than that.   Another highlight, was one morning, Scud and I got up extra early, and went out fishing. We had a glorious morning, and kept a few trout for breakfast. Wizard and Sluggo had slept in, so we got the fire going. They didn’t stir until the bacon was cooking. All of a sudden, we noticed Sluggo’s nose begin to wiggle as the scent of bacon wafted over our campsite. Next, we heard him say, “Wooo, Bacon!” Then, he and Wizard were up and ready to eat! On this same trip, though he denies it to this day, Wiz took a wiz in a spring by one of our campsites
  After college, I had returned to New York State for about ten years, but on my return, we re-introduced the Deliverance trips with Andy Bradford, his Dad, and Greg “Scooter” Scott. We floated the East Branch of the Penobscot a couple of times, The Big Black River, among other trips. After a hiatus, we have introduced a June fishing trip to the Jackman region. Phi Gam is not for college days alone.”  Greg Scott  "Phi Gam is not for college days alone." John Kenealy  “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, El Guettar, Elba, Monte Della Vedetta, the Battle of the Bulge, Peleliu, Okinawa, 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 George F. Kehoe, 1927  Omega Mu Years  The recently built Castle in 1925           
 Omega Mu Brother Hosea Buck  "Fraternity songs, cards, and a fireside session were enjoyed by all." University of Maine Athlete                World War II  Captain Kehoe was a Senior Pilot, Combat Observer, and Flying Instructor in the Army Air Corps.  He died on December 21st, 1938       “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 2024
Categories |
RSS Feed