  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 Joseph Lacasse, 1966
Omega Mu Years     Ruth C. Cary, Omega Mu Housemother    John H. Lee, Jr.  Mud Bowl    Pig Dinner     Phi Gamma Delta Enjoys Pig Dinner  Portland Graduate Chapter Award  Wayne Robbins   Joseph Lacasse was deployed from 1967 - 1968 on the USS Iwo Jima, which was stationed off of the Cua Viet River, the dividing line between North and South Vietnam, in support of a Marine battalion. He was on board during the Tet Offensive.                     Marines boarding the IWO JIMA, 1969  Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1467        “What if the space be long and wide, That parts us from our brother’s side A soul-joined chain unites our band, And memory links us hand in hand.” (Phi Gamma Delta fraternity song)    Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82 Perge
0 Comments
Our Omega Mu veteran-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 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 John R. Rohman, 1968  Omega Mu Years  Omega Mu Housemothers
 Brian Thayer, Dennis Roach, and James Wolf  John Leet  Dick York and Rod Macklin
  L-R: James Wolf, Cliff Goudy, Tyler Libby, John Collins, Emerson Gorham  1965 Snow Sculpture  1965 Christmas Party     Dan Dodge  Paul Lausier, right, is behind the two children that are wearing red shirts.        "It was one of those experiences that I certainly would never choose. But on the other hand it's an experience that's shaped my life, and I thinks it's shaped my life positively. You have a whole different perspective on life. You realize how fleeting it can be and realize how arbitrary it can be, too."  During his second tour in Vietnam, John Rohman spent almost a year in the jungle working with the Hmong people.   
 Architect It is a well-established fact that everyone appreciates beautiful architecture, and architectural taste has many broad expressions, but it is the character of the whole that always matters the most in designing beautiful, functional buildings, down to the smallest detail. Beautiful, functional architecture can be quite transformative, inspirational even, in creating a positive civic-mindedness, a social cohesion, and a communal pride and care in where one lives. The communal and artistic implications that go into the design process to create the synergy of social cohesion and pride is essential for the benefit of any town or city, college campus, and fraternities. In short, the communal good, and what Frank Gehry did for the city of Bilbao comes to mind with his imaginative, stylistic Guggenheim Museum Bilbao. However, like any art form, architects have widely divergent architectural ideas as to what is beautiful. Some architecture, functionally and aesthetically, is thought-provoking and marvelous, some lack aesthetic feeling, some down-right puzzling, even confusing, and some are flat-out architectural eyesores. And, like any other form of art, everyone responds differently to the broad range of architectural styles from Frank Lloyd Wright, Eero Saarinen, Renzo Piano, Louis Kahn, Zaha Hadid, Alvar Aalto, Santiago Calatrava, Norman Foster, Kenzo Tange, Richard Neutra, Frank Gehry, and so many others. In our fraternal context, we can all agree that the Castle is architecturally warm, beautiful, and inviting. Quite simply, in architectural conception, inside and outside, there is architectural fluidity, balance, and dignity, making it the most beautiful building at the University of Maine. It has a character all its own, and it is our architectural gem and treasure, our fraternal home, and we are all grateful for it. This sentiment of gratitude for our fraternal home and friends only grows, and it is fraternally satisfying, generation-to-generation, to walk through the front door each time we return to the Castle, our home. The Castle and our fraternal brothers bind us together, still. Three of our brothers found meaning and fulfillment in the field of architecture: Frank E. Kidder, Raymond J. Mayo, and John Rohman. Each of them were committed to architectural excellence in designing distinct, charming, thoughtful public buildings, schools, homes, churches, and chapels. There is an essential quality of good taste, functional and aesthetic, in what each of them have done in the field of architecture. Their technical architectural discipline was outstanding and, not surprisingly, each of them had splendid achievements in their respective careers. And so, we fraternally appreciate, honor, and celebrate their architectural accomplishments from the University of Maine, Bangor, Portland, Boston, and Denver, to name just a few place. Each of them are esteemed in our fraternal history, and we are pleased that they are our fraternal brothers. Each of them exhibited our determinant fraternal character of persistence and determination, and their historic significance can never be overstated.  (Edwin) Webster, (Alan) Baldwin, (John) Rohman, (Michael) Czarniecki  John Rohman  John Rohman was the chief executive officer for WBRC for two decades, and it is historically interesting to note that the architectural firm that John Rohman led was the firm that designed our fraternal home in 1924-1925, Crowell and Lancaster. Crowell and Lancaster, later W.B.R.C., designed our historic Tudor style fraternal home.      Coburn Hall was built on the site of our first Q.T.V. Chapter Hall  "The site of the structure (Coburn Hall) will be where the Q. T. V. building now stands." Q. T. V. - Phi Gamma Delta Brother Frank E. Kidder, 1879      Q.T.V.-Omega Mu Brothers in the library that was in Coburn Hall, Allen Rogers, looking toward the camera, and Horace M. Estabrooke, first on the left.   W.B.R.C. is the architectural firm that has been chosen to renovate Coburn Hall, a building on the University of Maine campus that was designed by our Q.T.V.-Phi Gamma Delta architect brother, Frank E. Kidder, 1879. Kidder was the architect for Holmes Hall, Wingate Hall, and the first Phi Gamma Delta House.  Frank E. Kidder, middle, during his students years at Maine State College.  Frank E. Kidder, senior picture First Q. T. V. Chapter Hall 
  "MCS's first secret society was QTV, established at Maine in 1874. The organization subsequently affiliated with Phi Gamma Delta."      Q.T.V. Brothers in front of the house, 1880.  The Castle 1925  The Castle was designed by Crowell and Lancaster, the architectural firm that would evolve to W.B.R.C.       Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center   W.B.R.C. was the architectural firm that designed the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center  The New University of Maine Engineering Building and The Crosby Clamp  "When the final beam of the Ferland Engineering Education and Design Center was installed during the topping-off ceremony in February 2021, the Crosby Clip played a part.”
Our Q.T.V. - Omega Mu Brother, Oliver Crosby, 1876   "The beam, which was signed by some current UMaine engineering students, has a time capsule welded to the back with a message and a Crosby Clip, a tool used in steel construction that was invented by Oliver Crosby, a Dexter native and UMaine alumn of 1876."  
   Omega Mu Brothers  Three Omega Mu Brothers together.  “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 Richard B. Preble, 1950  Omega Mu Years       Richard Preble, University of Maine Athlete                   "the pitching of Preble and Braley were the features of the season." 
 Omega Mu Maine Masque Brother Robert B. Preble, 1950  Over the years, our Omega Mu brothers were involved in many Maine Masque productions, including Malcolm E. Fassett, Robert B. Preble, 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. 
    "will start Bob Preble"  "The play tells of the life of a Scotch soldier (Bob Preble) while in a convalescent hospital in the Orient."  "Bob Preble and John Ballou, as the doughty Scottsman and the bully Englishman respectively, carried the burden of drama and comedy with veteran ease."   Omega Mu Brother John Ballou  
“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 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 Deane W. Rollins, 1907  Omega Mu Years              Faculty Smoker At Phi Gamma Delta    "Phi Gamma Delta gave a smoker to the members of the faculty of the University of Maine"  "all but two (faculty) members were present"  "Many pleasant dancing parties were given during the past week"  "The Omega Mu chapter of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity started off the social events for the new year by giving....one of the most delightful dances ever held in the gymnasium." Phi Gamma Delta Reunion     Allen Rogers, '97, acted as toastmaster             “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 John H. Barnard, 1922  Omega Mu Years     1922 intramural basketball champions in the library in the house.     John H. Barnard, front row, second from the right. The First Winter Carnival At Omega Mu, 1922   "The Phi Gam house at the University entrance was the Arctic scene for a brilliant fireworks display. Rockets and bombs soared and exploded before an enthusiastic crowd who had come to witness the spectacle."     University of Maine Athlete       John H. Barnard, first on the left.  John H. Barnard, second from the right.  John H. Barnard, middle in the front row.       John H. Barnard.....Captain  "Captain Barnard's harriers ran the legs off the Boston College cross country team Saturday afternoon."    IC4A  IC4A (NCAA) Cross Country Championship Race   Omega Mu Brothers, John Barnard and Winslow Herrick  First Place 1921  Omega Mu Brothers, Winslow Herrick and John Barnard New England Championship Second Place 1919  Omega Mu Brothers, Winslow Herrick and John Barnard New England Championship Third Place 1920  Omega Mu Brothers, Winslow Herrick and John Barnard    “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
March 2026
Categories |
RSS Feed