  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. The 1875 Maine State College Mamelouks Baseball Team     Our Q. T. V. Brothers on the 1875 baseball team.
Edson F. Hitchings
Alfred M. Goodale
Charles F. Colesworthy
Whitman H. Jordan
Sydney S. Soule
Wilbur A. Bumps  “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
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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. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Henry S. Sims, 1918  Omega Mu Years         From multiple angles, our QTV 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 outstanding. In each area of involvement, our brothers brought energy and enthusiasm, and one particular area where our brothers brought particular depth and color was in many wide-ranging Maine Masque theater productions. With fraternal strength, Omega Mu brothers became mainstays on the theater boards when Maine Masque was established in 1906-1907. What a long-lasting accomplishment for all of us to be proud as Omega Mu brothers. Over the years, our Omega Mu brothers have been involved in many Maine Masque productions, including Charles L. Pfeiffer, Malcolm E. Fassett, Harry Lovely, Nathan F. True, Fernando T. Norcross, Theodore W. Haskell, Charles E. Stickney, Robert Irvine, William Demant, Evans B. Norcross, J. Richard Buck, Willam Keith, Harry P. Carle, Howard L. Farwell, Jacob M. Horne, Jr.; Bryant M. Patten, Sumner Waite, Norman D. Carlisle, Paul F. Slocum, Clifford H. George, Ernest F. Andrews, Robert S. Hussey, Elwood D. Bryant, Howard J. Stagg, III; Stanley T. Fuger, John T. Clark, John W. Ballou, George R. Berger, Robert D. Parks, Arthur B. Conner, Louis Louis H. Thibodeau, Henry S. Simms, among many, many others! Praise for them is merited. Exhibiting diligence and discipline, these Omega Mu brothers, through many decades, brought a joyful vibrancy and communal vitality to the University of Maine community. What a superb gift to give the community, rich, alive, and inspiring. Significantly, many of our Omega Mu brothers were a driving force in many of the plays because of the impactful, leading roles that they often played, luring and capturing the imagination of the audience as they moved and glided, with apparent ease and poise, on the theater boards. By all reports in the Maine Campus and the Bangor Daily, their performances were quit affecting. The quality and depth of their disciplined art form joyfully enriched the lives of countless numbers of people. Our Omega Mu Maine Masque theater brothers, just like our athlete brothers, are an enriching testament to what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu, and we are proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such an important historic angle in our fraternal history at the University of Maine. They exemplify the good of what it means to be a positive part of the university community, and in doing so showing the good of fraternal culture. Attending a play is a special, spirited experience, and we are proud of the legacy of these brothers for their unbending commitment to the beautiful creative art and discipline of Maine Masque theater productions. These Maine Masque theater brothers make us proud, and their legacy in Maine Masque history continues to shine. They, too, like our Omega Mu athlete brothers, continue to enrich and strengthen our perseverant and determined fraternal identity, 147 years strong.   
 Ph.D. at Columbia University    Henry S. Sims career was dedicated to medical research in the fields of Aging and Arteriosclerosis at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital.    “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. Perge. Omega Mu Portrait Raymond Fellows, 1908
Omega Mu Years        University of Maine Clubs               Attorney General of Maine, 1925-1928  Chief Justice of Maine Supreme Judicial Court, 1954-1956
Chairman of the G.O.P. Convention  Letter to the Brothers of Omega Mu    Omega Mu Brother, Robert P. Webb     “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 Voices Gregory M. Scott, 1981
Gregory M. Scott Omega Mu, 1981 Living in Chadbourne Hall the fall semester of my sophomore year and getting to know the crew on third floor Chad was an experience. The guys stuck together naturally, like their own small fraternity. I was glad to be part of it and introduce many of them to Fiji. Several of the guys became Fiji brothers: Buddy Cote, Bill Shaboski, Chip Chapman, Steve Farrar, Chris Skillma, and, yes, Ricky Bean from Rangeley, Maine. 
Buddy Cote and Bill Shaboski
Chip Chapman and Steve Farrar
Chris Skillman and Ricky Bean Ricky was light-hearted, smiling, enthusiastic, and always positive. It did not matter if he just missed an important prelim, lacked beer money for the weekend, it would turn out fine. There was no need to worry. Ricky did not just believe this for himself but would encourage others who might be having a bad day, bad week, or an entire semester.
When Ricky pledged the house, he carried this same positive attitude with him as a pledge. It did not matter if he had wake up duty or it was hell week, Ricky had a genuine smile on his face. He became a brother and a good friend to many of us.  1982 picture of the Castle Cedar tree to the left, next to the second floor window Ricky invented what we called tree jumping. It involved leaping from a second story window into a pair of cedar trees located about 10FT from the house and climbing down to the ground. After several of us mastered this small feat, Ricky upped the ante and started doing it after midnight in nothing but his ratty blue bathrobe. Of course, many of us followed his lead, bathrobes and all. It lost it’s appeal one night, in the pouring rain, with several sharp broken branches adding blood shed to the challenge.  
 Rick was not a morning person. Well, that would be an understatement. He could be found snoozing in the Ram after three attempts by a diligent pledges to wake him, or he would be wandering around in the kitchen barefooted in his dirty blue bathrobe 15min before an 8AM class in Stevens Hall. Several of us signed up for 8AM classes on purpose, needing to get certain requirements completed. If Rick had an 8AM class, we would gang up on him to join us for the cold hike onto campus. Our success rate was probably less than 50%.  The cold hike to campus  Ricky was incredibly sharp. If he put his mind to it, he could earn an A in any class, or on any paper he wrote. If he was disinterested or distracted, forget it, his mind was elsewhere.
Then along came the Air Force ROTC program. It was new to UMO and Ricky joined. It was like someone flipped a switch. He had a direction and a goal. He was going to serve his country and be an Air Force pilot. No class schedule, course requirement or grumpy professor was going to get in his way. I remember when he received his dress uniform. He showed us how to put it on, situate the insignia and even how to properly tuck the shirt in the pants! What happened to the happy go lucky brother we all knew? Well, he had a dream and a goal. We were all proud of him. His enthusiasm for the journey ahead was infectious.
This made the news of his passing all the more painful. Fiji was well represented with several brothers making the trip to Eustis ME for the graveside service complete with an Air Force fly over.      We had a remembrance for Ricky at the Newman Center. His family made the trip from Rangeley because they knew how much the brotherhood meant to him.  The last time I saw Ricky was the last time for many of us. It was the day he and Deborah became man and wife. On the way to the wedding, Steve Swan stopped by LL Bean to buy a wedding gift. We still laugh about that huge cast iron frying pan that Steve bought. He bundled it up in LL Bean paper shopping bags, a card, and a ribbon, and plunked it down on the table with all of the nicely wrapped wedding gifts. Classic. The frying pan was a hit. Ricky and Deborah loved it. Now time has passed. All of us that knew Ricky are pushing 60 years old, plus or minus, and I wonder what would Ricky Bean be like if he was with us now, say at a Pig Dinner? The answer is simple: same smile, same positive attitude, same brother that we enjoyed being around. The only change would be a few gray hairs and some real good stories that he would enjoy telling. He will always be remembered for his great spirit, his true love for his family and our Omega Mu brotherhood, and for serving our nation in the United States Air Force.  “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 we can all 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 be grateful for the military service of every Omega Mu veteran from the Civil War to the present. Thank you. Omega Mu Veteran Ricky M. Bean, 1982
Omega Mu Years     
 Military Career  Ricky Bean was a pilot in the United States Air Force.  “An Air Force B-1 bomber plunged into a training range in Colorado today in the first crash of a production model of the nation's newest long-range strategic bomber. Three crew members survived and three were killed, the Air Force said.”        New York Times article about the crash   The 96th Bombardment Wing B-1 bomber left Dyess Air Force Base near Abilene, Texas and went down in southern Colorado near the town of La Junta in southern Colorado.  96th Bombardment Wing patch  “The three who were killed were Maj. James T. Acklin, 37, of Champaign, Ill., an instructor pilot, First Lieut. Ricky M. Bean, 27, of Rangeley, Me., a student pilot, and Maj, Wayne D. Whitlock, 39, of Johnson City, Tenn., an instructor in defensive systems.” (New York Time Obituary)    
 Rangeley, Maine          “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 James B. Doliner, 1983
Omega Mu Years      Jim Doliner, second row, third one in from the left.    
     Jim Doliner is wearing the Fiji shirt. 
University of Maine Athlete    University of Maine Sailing     “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 Composers  From multiple angles, our QTV and Omega Mu brothers have richly contributed to the civic body of the University of Maine since our founding, and this due to one of our hallmark traits: we like to succeed. In addition to all of our Omega Mu athletes and campus leaders, many brothers enlarged and enriched the meaning of what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu in writing beautiful music. We are proud of their dedication, creativity, and commitment in adding such a joyful historic angle in our fraternal history at the university. Their many musical compositions to pay homage to the University of Maine and our fraternal brotherhood. In musical thought, chromatic rhythm of language, and historic pride for the University of Maine, these brothers’ composed an immeasurable body of work that we are justifiably proud of as a brotherhood. These brothers enlarged and enriched the meaning of what it means to be a fraternity brother in Omega Mu. In compositional thought, style, and historic-fraternal context, we are immensely proud of these brothers, and there will no closing line, coda, chorus, or measure on our continued success as a brotherhood at the University of Maine. Proud to be Fiji, always.   James M. Eaton    Horace M. Estabrooke   Philip Garland       Lewis C. Southard   Sumner Waite  Musical Brothers |
Concerts
Doug Baston
Omega Mu, 1969
Until about two weeks ago I still had my ticket stub for the Pete Seeger concert. Finally tossed it.
Omega Mu, 1969
Until about two weeks ago I still had my ticket stub for the Pete Seeger concert. Finally tossed it.
Robert C. Mennealy
Omega Mu, 1971
Mennealy, Goudey and O’Leary drove to Lewiston to see a Jimi Hendrix concert that was cut short because he blew the sound system twenty minutes into it.
Omega Mu, 1971
Mennealy, Goudey and O’Leary drove to Lewiston to see a Jimi Hendrix concert that was cut short because he blew the sound system twenty minutes into it.
Anthony Flaherty
Omega Mu
Mennealy, there were five of us in Cliff Gowdey’s VW Bus. I remember Cliff had a little notched wooden rig so the bus wound not pop out of 4th gear. My memory is that Hendrix played a full set. I know he played most of the Are You Experienced album. Played behind his head, played with his teeth on “Hey, Joe”. He finished the set with “Purple Haze”. He encored with “Wild Thing”. He came our alone and riffed for a couple of minutes using only his right hand on the neck. Mind boggling. I think the cost was $2 or $3.
Omega Mu
Mennealy, there were five of us in Cliff Gowdey’s VW Bus. I remember Cliff had a little notched wooden rig so the bus wound not pop out of 4th gear. My memory is that Hendrix played a full set. I know he played most of the Are You Experienced album. Played behind his head, played with his teeth on “Hey, Joe”. He finished the set with “Purple Haze”. He encored with “Wild Thing”. He came our alone and riffed for a couple of minutes using only his right hand on the neck. Mind boggling. I think the cost was $2 or $3.
“Excuse me while I kiss the sky.”
Andrew T, Soloby
Omega Mu, 1971
I remember when you guys came back. O'Leary was doing "sets" on the bed in the Purple Room for most of one nite !! And yes, I played "back up" for him once in a while.. ..1969!!
Omega Mu, 1971
I remember when you guys came back. O'Leary was doing "sets" on the bed in the Purple Room for most of one nite !! And yes, I played "back up" for him once in a while.. ..1969!!
“Purple haze all in my eyes.”
John L. Collins
Omega Mu, 1971
“Sets” refers to O’Leary playing air drums along with the records of Hendrix tunes. He would close his eyes, and really wail on the invisible drums with a huge grin on his face. I was too stoned to be able to tell whether he was any good at it or not, but it sure looked like he was enjoying himself! I think he also played along with Ginger Baker with Cream songs. Those are the ones I recall specifically. The purple room may have been off the living room behind the fireplace - not sure, though.
Omega Mu, 1971
“Sets” refers to O’Leary playing air drums along with the records of Hendrix tunes. He would close his eyes, and really wail on the invisible drums with a huge grin on his face. I was too stoned to be able to tell whether he was any good at it or not, but it sure looked like he was enjoying himself! I think he also played along with Ginger Baker with Cream songs. Those are the ones I recall specifically. The purple room may have been off the living room behind the fireplace - not sure, though.
“…I’m standin’ at the crossroads, babe, I believe I’m sinking down.”
Here’s another personal story related to concerts in that era. See link below for the poster for the Supremes performance at the gym. I was a pretty “straight” guy in those days, and felt we all should play by the rules, pay our way, etc. But a rebellious side of my personality seemed to be coming out. So, when Mennealy suggested we try to sneak into the concert, I eagerly agreed! We crept around the field house in the dark till we found a window that wasn’t locked and climbed through it. From there it was easy to walk around to the halls leading to the gym and get in. We got front row seats, too! Other than Mennealy, I’m not sure who else participated. Maybe Greg Papasodora. It was a great concert, I thought!
Robert W. Doyle
Omega Mu, 1972
I recall the John Sebastian concert. He came on by himself and explained that the backup band was late due to a bus breakdown. He played solo all night. At the end he explained that he didn’t have a band. Great goof.
Omega Mu, 1972
I recall the John Sebastian concert. He came on by himself and explained that the backup band was late due to a bus breakdown. He played solo all night. At the end he explained that he didn’t have a band. Great goof.
Gary R. Sawyer
Omega Mu, 1967
Also, a great Bob Dylan concert. Even though it was in the old Memorial Gymnasium; and two visits by the Brothers Four. I mention the later concerts not only because they were quality and fun, but because they were so-named because they were four Fiji brothers. On both occasions they came to the Castle after their concerts.
Omega Mu, 1967
Also, a great Bob Dylan concert. Even though it was in the old Memorial Gymnasium; and two visits by the Brothers Four. I mention the later concerts not only because they were quality and fun, but because they were so-named because they were four Fiji brothers. On both occasions they came to the Castle after their concerts.
Andrew T. Soloby
Omega Mu, 1971
The Turtles at the Fiji Castle
Oh, yes, what a beautiful night! On a fateful fall night in 1969, I had a front row seat at the Tur-tles concert that was held at the University of Maine: “So Happy Together”!
Omega Mu, 1971
The Turtles at the Fiji Castle
Oh, yes, what a beautiful night! On a fateful fall night in 1969, I had a front row seat at the Tur-tles concert that was held at the University of Maine: “So Happy Together”!
Drinking and other embellishments had occurred earlier, and during I screamed loudly, obnoxiously, and frequently to the band: “Fiji, Fiji, Fiji”. Once they played their last number, everyone rushed the stage, including me. The lead singer, Howard Kaylan, asked me, “You have been screaming Fiji, Fiji all through the show, what the hell is it?" It was explained to all of them in detail, and we invited them to the house, and they showed up an hour later, a memorable night in Fiji history. Being normal guys, they wanted to know what fraternal living was all about, and we showed them. “No matter how you toss the dice, it had to be.”
“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)
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!
Chip Chapman, ’82
Perge!
Our fraternal brotherhood was in the past, and it remains today, the proudest fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Since 1874 we have forged a strong identity and purpose. We proudly remember our fraternal past because we are a historic fraternal brotherhood in so many ways, and we are all keenly aware of that fact, proudly so. We are, rightly so, proud of our long-rooted fraternal history at the University of Maine. Upon that fact there is no debate, and I am unequivocally sure that we are all thankful for whatever motivation, coincidence, circumstance, brought all of us to the front door of the Castle to start the pledging-initiatory journey to become Omega Mu brothers. In any case, thank God you went through the front door to become Omega Mu brothers, and in so doing becoming part of the historic lore of our fraternal brotherhood at Maine, steady and true since 1848, 1874, 1899. And as such, it is meaningful commitment that we all share to return to Castle to joyfully celebrate Pig Dinner.
Matter-of-factly, our sustained history is a wonderful testament to each and every brother and our collective perseverance and determination over 123 years, and in two years we will celebrate our 125 anniversary, as well the 100th anniversary of the Castle. It is impossible not to get nostalgic when you set foot inside the Castle again because we are the historically unique fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Quite simply, we have a winning fraternal history. What lessons can we draw from our fraternal history? Simple, past and present, and for all the years to come, we will always be the preeminent fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine.
Matter-of-factly, our sustained history is a wonderful testament to each and every brother and our collective perseverance and determination over 123 years, and in two years we will celebrate our 125 anniversary, as well the 100th anniversary of the Castle. It is impossible not to get nostalgic when you set foot inside the Castle again because we are the historically unique fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. Quite simply, we have a winning fraternal history. What lessons can we draw from our fraternal history? Simple, past and present, and for all the years to come, we will always be the preeminent fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine.
The fraternal evidence of our enjoyable history is overwhelming for all of us. It is always wonderful to return to reminisce and enjoy brotherly fellowship and the common bond of the years since our undergraduate years. We had a very happy life living in the Castle, to say the least. Happily, we walked through the front door of the Castle. Happily, we all lived together in the Castle. Happily, and with deep gratitude, we return to the Castle to see life-long friends in the Castle. Our Omega Mu brotherhood and the Castle, our historically durable union through life, and that cannot be measured. It is a never-ending gift. That is a self-evident truth, a fraternal beatitude, that started with our Q.T.V. catchphrase: “Enjoyment, sociability, and the best interests of the brothers through life.”
Our Q. T. V. - Omega Mu fraternal brotherhood has always coalesced and evolved around many wonderful traditions. These Omega Mu traditions, in various modified forms, have defined our fraternal culture since our Q.T.V. founding in 1874. They have given us meaning and shape for over one-hundred years. At a minimum, these traditions were popular and fun, and at a maximum they created, and continue to create, our historic continuity that is 148 years strong. They helped create our active and eventful fraternal life on a daily and seasonal basis. Some rites, traditions, and events were formal, while some were more playful and casual. Combined, they each comprise the rich heritage of our fraternal history, and they clearly show the ongoing vibrancy and energy of our Omega Mu brotherhood, still. And, perhaps, it is not too far-reaching to say that the traditions, rites, and events did shape us for the better; I believe they did. Our good fraternal life would simply not have been what it was without them, and there is no way of overstating that reality. And so, there is perhaps no more generationally compelling tradition than our most celebratory, warm-hearted tradition that overflows with reverent generational regard and celebratory joy than our Omega Mu Pig Dinner. One could even say that it is our primary fraternal sacrament-tradition that brothers always look forward to, abidingly so. After such a prolonged period, I hope that all of you, like I, look forward to, with grateful enthusiasm, the warm-hearted fraternal tradition, fraternal hospitality, and raucous fraternal fun of Pig Dinner, again, on April 30th. Looked at through the lens of the historic continuity of our fraternal of banquets, reunions, and Pig Dinner, I believe that we will find satisfaction in our return to the Castle to recommence the enduring fun, beauty, strength and fraternal, human grace of Pig Dinner. We will find real satisfaction in our return to the Castle for Pig Dinner. We cherish our history, our land, the Castle, and our historic brotherhood. You get the picture, come home for Pig Dinner. It is the unique fraternal tradition that beautifully encapsulates our Phi Gamma Delta life throughout life. But most of all, we will be simply happy to be back inside the unmistakable grace and charm of Castle with generations of Omega Mu brothers, again! It will be nice to celebrate Pig Dinner once again. And, when all is said and done, that is what really matters. Perge.
Q. T. V. Banquets
Omega Mu Brothers at
Our Initial Fraternal
Banquets
Our Initial Fraternal
Banquets
Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876
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Fred C. Mitchell, 1900; and Frank McDonald, 1900
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Perley F. Walker, 1896; and Walter Flint, 1882
Howard L. Maddocks, 1900
Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876
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Albert H. Brown, 1880, Harvey D. Whitney, 1903
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Wilbur A. Bumps, 1875; Herbert T. Sewall, 1902
Toastmaster, Allan Rogers, 1897
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John H. Hilliard, 1903; Horace M. Estabrooke, 1876
Perley F. Walker, 1896
Pig Dinner
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..."Fijis know him best for the taste of pork at Norris Pig Dinners."
Bringing in the Pig
Kissing the Pig
Clifton E. Chandler, 1913
Theodore T. Curtis, 1923
Frank W. Danforth, Jr., 1946
David L. Smith, 1961
“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)
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
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 we can all 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 be grateful for the military service of every Omega Mu veteran from the Civil War to the present. Thank you.
Omega Mu Veteran
Paul L. Stimpson,
1964
Paul L. Stimpson,
1964
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Omega Mu Years
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Military Career
Lieutenant Paul L. Stimpson was the Rotary Wing Aviation Unit Commander attached to the First Aviation Brigade, 145th Aviation Battalion, 12th Aviation Group, 118TH Assault Aviation Company in Vietnam.
Paul's United States Army Aviator Badge and ribbons
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First Lieutenant Paul Stimpson, first on the left.
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118th on a mission.
118th chopper pilots in action. Note the unit insignia on the helicopter.
Paul died on April 22, 1967, Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam. He crashed in a cemetery near Long Binh due to fuel starvation. Stuart W. Gerald, an Omega Mu brother who was serving in Vietnam at the same time, flew his helicopter over the cemetery were Paul died. His picture and comment about Paul and the crash are below.
Stuart W. Gerald
"When I was a freshman rushing Fiji, Paul was a senior and one we were all so impressed with- given his good looks and great demeanor. He always treated us little Zobies with respect. He was the one who came to my dorm room late one night to inform me that I was a pledge! He was in ROTC, and we all knew his strong desire to fly when commissioned. He married a beautiful girl before going to chopper training. We learned of his death after flying many missions in one day, landing in a booby trapped LZ. All of us in my pledge class were shocked and really saddened to lose this classy big Brother." Mike McInnis, '68
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“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)
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
Chip Chapman, ’82
Perge
2022 marks the 147th year of our fraternal history, and we continue to forge a strong sense of fraternal purpose and identity, as the preeminent fraternal brotherhood, at the University of Maine. In short, we remain the flagship fraternal brotherhood at the University of Maine. That is a fraternal fact, not fraternal fantasy. All of this we know. It is a great fraternal narrative, and our fraternal brothers, our rich history, and our historic fraternal home give us just cause to be grateful and thankful.
In example, thought, and action, we are a resourceful brotherhood; we make things happen, and we still do. We have survived and endured through many historical circumstances, and we will continue to persevere. The three words that do not exist in our fraternal DNA are abdication, resignation, or renunciation. We do not give up. We have always embodied fortitude and loyalty. No brother is more important than the whole, and it has been that way since our founding in 1874. It is not improper to state, theologically speaking, that we are all courageously faithful. With a very down-to-earth fraternal attitude, when the odds are not encouraging, we collectively enflesh what George Washington succinctly stated: “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” A beautiful old truth that fittingly describes our fraternal brotherhood because cannot is a word that we do not know in our fraternal history. Everything we fraternally believe comes down to, in the end, the collective fraternal care we exhibit towards each other, knowing our rich history, and taking care of the Castle. These are the fraternal qualities that have made us last for 147 years. More than anything, these three things continue to create our enduring meaning and purpose of fraternity amongst men, 147 years on and growing stronger at the University of Maine. We never stop moving forward. It is our fraternal heritage since 1874.
The brotherhood and fraternal home that we love today is due to the linked, collaborative, and tireless efforts of generations of men, and it is an honor to be part of it. The many brothers who come back for Pig Dinner represent a small part of the sum total of fourteen plus decades of our fraternal history, and we have great expectations that our fraternal history will continue for another 147 years at the University of Maine. We have persevered through three tiresome and tedious years, and we are more than a little pleased to be coming home to the Castle for Pig Dinner this April. The rich festivity and sound of our Pig Dinners creates a unity of sentiment and joy that explicitly shows all three of these beliefs binding us together, and it will be shown again this April. It is always a memorable gathering of generations of Omega Mu Fiji Brothers, and our rich fraternal tradition of Pig Dinner will continue on April 30th. It is the great collective expression of our Phi Gamma Delta brotherhood.
Historic milestones matter in our proud fraternal history. We are the proud legacy of those first Q. T. V. brothers, and the historic map of our fraternal narrative from Munson Avenue to Fraternity Row to 79 College Avenue truly captures our authentic perseverant and determined spirit, and that spirit will be on full display in April. With fraternal pride, good cheer, joy, and gratitude, we will return to the Castle to celebrate Pig Dinner. It will be fraternally overwhelming to see the Castle full with Omega Mu Fiji brothers again. Omega Mu hospitality will be alive and well inside and outside the Castle. There will be a wealth fraternal spirit on display from Friday to Sunday. It will be genuine; it will be Omega Mu. That is our long, proud tradition as Phi Gamma Delta Fijis, and we all have much to catch-up on at Pig Dinner 2022. We will celebrate our connection with one another. We will celebrate our connection with one another. It is our greatest fraternal custom and tradition, forever unchanging, and there are no proverbs or aphorisms that adequately describe it, but I believe that Thoreau describes it the 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.” Perge.
In example, thought, and action, we are a resourceful brotherhood; we make things happen, and we still do. We have survived and endured through many historical circumstances, and we will continue to persevere. The three words that do not exist in our fraternal DNA are abdication, resignation, or renunciation. We do not give up. We have always embodied fortitude and loyalty. No brother is more important than the whole, and it has been that way since our founding in 1874. It is not improper to state, theologically speaking, that we are all courageously faithful. With a very down-to-earth fraternal attitude, when the odds are not encouraging, we collectively enflesh what George Washington succinctly stated: “Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages.” A beautiful old truth that fittingly describes our fraternal brotherhood because cannot is a word that we do not know in our fraternal history. Everything we fraternally believe comes down to, in the end, the collective fraternal care we exhibit towards each other, knowing our rich history, and taking care of the Castle. These are the fraternal qualities that have made us last for 147 years. More than anything, these three things continue to create our enduring meaning and purpose of fraternity amongst men, 147 years on and growing stronger at the University of Maine. We never stop moving forward. It is our fraternal heritage since 1874.
The brotherhood and fraternal home that we love today is due to the linked, collaborative, and tireless efforts of generations of men, and it is an honor to be part of it. The many brothers who come back for Pig Dinner represent a small part of the sum total of fourteen plus decades of our fraternal history, and we have great expectations that our fraternal history will continue for another 147 years at the University of Maine. We have persevered through three tiresome and tedious years, and we are more than a little pleased to be coming home to the Castle for Pig Dinner this April. The rich festivity and sound of our Pig Dinners creates a unity of sentiment and joy that explicitly shows all three of these beliefs binding us together, and it will be shown again this April. It is always a memorable gathering of generations of Omega Mu Fiji Brothers, and our rich fraternal tradition of Pig Dinner will continue on April 30th. It is the great collective expression of our Phi Gamma Delta brotherhood.
Historic milestones matter in our proud fraternal history. We are the proud legacy of those first Q. T. V. brothers, and the historic map of our fraternal narrative from Munson Avenue to Fraternity Row to 79 College Avenue truly captures our authentic perseverant and determined spirit, and that spirit will be on full display in April. With fraternal pride, good cheer, joy, and gratitude, we will return to the Castle to celebrate Pig Dinner. It will be fraternally overwhelming to see the Castle full with Omega Mu Fiji brothers again. Omega Mu hospitality will be alive and well inside and outside the Castle. There will be a wealth fraternal spirit on display from Friday to Sunday. It will be genuine; it will be Omega Mu. That is our long, proud tradition as Phi Gamma Delta Fijis, and we all have much to catch-up on at Pig Dinner 2022. We will celebrate our connection with one another. We will celebrate our connection with one another. It is our greatest fraternal custom and tradition, forever unchanging, and there are no proverbs or aphorisms that adequately describe it, but I believe that Thoreau describes it the 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.” Perge.
Omega Mu Brothers
Together At
Pig Dinner
Together At
Pig Dinner
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“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)
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
Chip Chapman, ’82
Perge
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