George P. Merrill, 1879

Our brothers careers have been productive, constructive, spirited, and prosaic. They displayed impressive skills, talents, and abilities They were, and we continue to be, a beautiful and lively expression of our enduring fraternal beliefs, and that underlying harmony is far-reaching in expectation for all brothers’, undergraduate and graduate. It is the core of what our fraternal founders asserted in 1848 and 1874 and 1899: to live active, commendable, and responsible lives, and to build up community. Clearly and compellingly, they added, and continue to add, positive value at the local, state, national, global, and fraternal level because they engaged life fully and responsibly. In short, they were authoritative pillars throughout life. They were-are exemplary in their citizenship, character, and their sense of dutiful responsibility, and, in many instances, they were leading voices in their career fields. They prove that success of any kind does not occur by luck or accident, and we remember them because they continue to provide that message for our time. Their spirit permeates our brotherhood, and it always will. 

We have long been, from one generation to the next, proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. We continue to cherish our fraternal friendships, our shared memories, and our evolving, forward-focused history at the University of Maine. These things, above and beyond everything else, are the underlying rooted connections that make us proud to be Omega Mu Fijis. Why, after all, should we believe otherwise? We have always exhibited a can-do fraternal spirit since 1874. And, to be sure, all present and future generations of Omega Mu Fijis will continue to do the same, with fraternal enthusiasm and commitment. As a brotherhood, we always see the path behind us and the way forward with equal clarity, and our future remains bright at 79 College Avenue because we fearlessly move forward, always guided by sound fraternal principles, and because of that we are an exceptional brotherhood because we remain committed and hardworking to assure that our Omega Mu brotherhood will continue to be the jewel at the University of Maine. Perge.

Omega Mu Portrait
George P. Merrill,
1879

It is a safe bet to believe that George P. Merrill is sitting with his Q. T. V. brothers in front of the house in 1876.

July, 1876
The entire expense of its erection was borne by the members and this demanded from them considerable self-sacrifice and loyalty. As this was the first fraternity chapter built in the State, it surely must have been a building
​to be proud of."

"The Q. T. V. Hall, erected in 1876 by the labor of members of the fraternity, stood where
​Coburn Hall is now."

"First secret society in college"

"Second Lieut., G. P. Merrill"

Graduate Work

George P. Merrill did post graduate work at Wesleyan University from 1879-1880. and he was an assistant in the chemistry.

George P. Merrill did additional graduate work at Johns Hopkins University from 1886-1887.

Professor at George Washington University

George P. Hitchings was a professor of geology and mineralogy at George Washington University from 1893-1916.

Head Of The Department Of Geology Of
Smithsonian Museum
Of Natural History

George P. Hitchings name is indelibly connected with the Smithsonian Institution. In 1897 George P. Hitching worked at the United States National Museum, later renamed the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, for over forty years. In 1897 was appointed the head curator of geology, and he achieved numerous accomplishments in geology, and he was a recognized as a leading authority in the study of meteorites. He was recognized nationally and internationally as an eminent scientist in geology, meteorology, mineralogy. He left behind an enriching scientific heritage that is appreciatively viewed by countless numbers of people who visit the Smithsonian Museum. 

Geology Rooms
​in the Smithsonian Museum

George O. Merrill in one of the geology rooms
the Smithsonian, above and below.

Meteorites Discovered by
​George P. Merrill

Merrill Crater

"The Department of Interior has announced that a large crater in Coconino County, Arizona, near the Coconino National Forest will hereafter be known as Merrill Crater,
in honor of the late Dr. George P. Merrill (Maine, '79)"

"Dr. Merrill was the world's foremost authority on Meteors, having written more than 60 scientific papers on the projectiles which strike the earth from outer space.
The crater is the grave of a meteor."

"SAYS METEOR MADE CRATER"

Author

"The STORY OF METEORITES
By
George P. Merrill"

Jane Addams

Jane Addams was a leader in the women's suffrage movement, the founder of Hull House in Chicago, and one of the founders of the A.C.L.U. and the N.A.A.C.P.

"But what is more important Farrington could probably give a personal letter to Dr. G.P. Merrill, Curator of the Department of Geology at the Smithsonian or give important
​and helpful advice."

"Consult Dr. Merrill, the head of the Department of Geology at the National Museum, for his scientific report on the actual value of the (meteorite) collection to the museum would
be the basis for whatever action is taken by the
Museum or Congress. He is a most
approachable and delightful
man, but quite direct and
​much in earnest."

A letter written by George Merrill to B. J. Harrington at McGill University.

Smithsonian Institution

George P. Merrill is sitting in the fourth, middle, wearing glasses, looking up to the right.

​National Academy of Sciences

In 1922 George P. Merrill was elected into the National Academy of Sciences, and he was awarded the J. Lawrence Smith Gold Medal for his research into meteorites. He was one of the first University of Maine graduates to receive such an honor, creating an enduring legacy which exists to this day for the university and our Omega Mu brotherhood.

​At home in Maine.

Reunion

Omega Mu Brothers in the photo: Charles A. Morse,
​Dr. George E. Merrill, and Wilbur F. Decker.

"Search For Truth Is The Noblest Occupation Of Man.
​It's Publication A 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