Omega Mu Voices: John L. Collins, Michael J. McInnis, George P. Dulac, Richard M. Paganucci

Omega Mu Voices:
John L. Collins, Michael J. McInnis,
​George P. Dulac, and Richard M. Paganucci

John L. Collins and Michael J. McInnis

​George P. Dulac and Richard M. Paganucci

John L. Collins
​
"Rushing an African-American student: Soon after I became a brother, Arnie James, a real gentleman, good football player, and all around nice guy came to Orono. He was black. Several Fijis in my class knew him from football and started to rush him. As soon as we did that, it came to our attention, and I do not recall how, that the National Headquarters for Phi Gam would not allow African-Americans to become Fiji brothers. Several of us were instantly pissed off at this and vowed that if we could get him to pledge, we would quit the National and go our own way; probably a good thing. Arnie pledged Delta Tau Delta, so we did not have to take that path. Those of us who wanted to get him to be a Fiji soon realized that there would be another problem had he chosen us: he would have been black-balled by some brother. So he never would have had the chance."

Delta Tau Delta

Arnie James

Michael J. McInnis

"I was Rush Chairman when the vote was taken on the chapter room—arguing vehemently to accept Arnie to no avail.  Finally, I smoked out the brother to admit to his only negative vote on admitting Arnie! He owned up but would not change his vote even after we all pleaded for him to change his his vote! Sad day in our history—it was not the National—just ONE of our brothers who voted against Arnie!"

Tackle Arnie James and Quarterback Bob Hamilton, C0-Captains of the
1970 University of the
Maine Football Team

Bob Hamilton and Arnie James, front row.

George P. Dulac

"Arnie James was an underclassman who played on the defensive line with me at UMO for two years. He was, and is my teammate and friend still today. This is the first time I have been made aware of Arnie not receiving consideration as a pledge from us. I am very sorry it happened."

Arnie James, #56

Richard M. Paganucci

Pledging an African-American student: All of us future pledges Eaton, Goode, Duffy, Rhodes et al, tried to get Arnie James to pledge Phi Gam. At the same time, other houses were trying as well: Sigma Chi, Phi Mu but they also learned their national opposed blacks. Delta Tau was the only one who would accept Arnie as a pledge. It was pretty sad. He was a real good guy and future captain of the football team our senior year. 

​"So, I was welcome there."

Fraternally,
Chip Chapman, ’82
​Perge