Overview
Our proud heritage as Omega Mu Fijis began in 1874 when the QTV Secret Society was formed at the Maine State College of Agriculture and Mechanical Arts. Those original QTV brothers were the foundation for today’s almost 1,000 living Phi Gamma Delta Graduate Brothers from the University of Maine. Our Chapter has had many “firsts” - we are credited as being the first fraternity at the University of Maine; the first fraternity Chapter house in Maine; and the first privately owned fraternity house within the entire International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta. The QTV’s initially rented a dwelling on the University grounds known as the “White House” and then erected a Chapter lodge on campus. The objective of Maine’s first fraternity as published in Omega Mu in 1901 was “enjoyment, sociability and the best interest of its members throughout life.” QTV brothers were campus leaders and accomplished scholars leading to successful initiation into Phi Gamma Delta on November 24, 1899 as founders of the Omega Mu Chapter.
Our first chapter house was located further up College Avenue and served us well from 1899 until a ravaging fire took its toll in 1924. That house was designed by QTV and Omega Mu brother Frank. E. Kidder, an 1879 graduate and noted architect from Boston and Denver. Kidder also designed other buildings on the campus. Thankfully, our brothers before us had begun the land acquisition and planning for our current house. The land was donated by brothers Joseph Gould (1882), Charles W. Mullen (1883), Hosea Buck (1893) and Charles E. Mullen (1917). Buck also contributed generously to the Castle’s building fund and continued to do so until his death in 1937. Hosea was prominent in the land and timber management business in Maine as well as having served on the University’s Board of Trustees as Chairman. Harry Sutton (1909) was another liberal contributor to the building fund. The chapter house was estimated to cost $80,000 with $15,000 coming from insurance proceeds from the fire. The remainder was raised by graduate brother donations and some bank financing. Under the personal supervision of George Hamlin (1873), at the age of 99, construction was completed in 1925 for our beautiful Castle.
Our Chapter and Castle have produced some of the finest men to ever attend the University of Maine.
And countless other brothers who have made significant contributions to science, business, education, law, economics, publishing, the military, government and our International Fraternity.
The Chapter has enjoyed many traditions over the year’s including Mud Bowl, Winter Carnival, Greek Week, Fiji Island parties at the house and on remote islands off the coast of Maine, Pats’ Pizza, Oronoka restaurant, Maine Day and Fiji Little Sisters. The Chapter has also produced many Interfraternity Council President’s, Senior Skulls, Student Government Presidents, student athletes and other campus leaders.
This link provides additional historical and other information on the Chapter and house.
Our first chapter house was located further up College Avenue and served us well from 1899 until a ravaging fire took its toll in 1924. That house was designed by QTV and Omega Mu brother Frank. E. Kidder, an 1879 graduate and noted architect from Boston and Denver. Kidder also designed other buildings on the campus. Thankfully, our brothers before us had begun the land acquisition and planning for our current house. The land was donated by brothers Joseph Gould (1882), Charles W. Mullen (1883), Hosea Buck (1893) and Charles E. Mullen (1917). Buck also contributed generously to the Castle’s building fund and continued to do so until his death in 1937. Hosea was prominent in the land and timber management business in Maine as well as having served on the University’s Board of Trustees as Chairman. Harry Sutton (1909) was another liberal contributor to the building fund. The chapter house was estimated to cost $80,000 with $15,000 coming from insurance proceeds from the fire. The remainder was raised by graduate brother donations and some bank financing. Under the personal supervision of George Hamlin (1873), at the age of 99, construction was completed in 1925 for our beautiful Castle.
Our Chapter and Castle have produced some of the finest men to ever attend the University of Maine.
- Two members of the first graduating class of 1872, Benjamin Gould and Edwin Haskell. Gould was the first man to ever receive a diploma from the Maine State College
- An Olympic swimmer from the 1912 games, Donnell Young (1933) who was also a U Maine professor
- United States Senator, Edwin Ladd (1884), a United States Senator from North Dakota
- Two United States Congressman, Frank Fellows (1912) and Samuel Gould (1877). Both United States Congressman representing Maine
- A Maine Governor, Robert Haskell (1925)
- A Boston Red Sox player, Ralph Pond (1911). On June 8, 1910, he started at center field for Boston in a 5 - 4 defeat to the Chicago White Sox. After that, he never appeared in a major league game again
- A US Army Major General, Mark Hersey (1884)
- One of America’s most distinguished railway engineers, Charles Morse (1879)
- Distinguished architect and designer, Francis Bacon (1876) who designed the marble shrine that contains the Declaration of Independence in the Library of Congress
- One of America’s “top 10 economists, George Hitchings (1937)
- An accomplished publisher and journalist, Maurice Hickey (1956)
- The “father” of toll turnpike structuring and financing, Robie Mitchell (1907)
- Founder of the Maine Masque theatre, Windsor Dagget (1908)
- The holder of the most ever awarded University of Maine athletic varsity letter “M Awards”, Frank Danforth (1948) who was awarded 8 varsity letters
- Global humanitarian, Arthur Serota, 1966
- PGD Field Secretary Mike Wissenback (1977)
- PGD Field Secretary Eugene “Buddy” Cote (1981). Buddy also served as Phi Gamma Delta Archon President as well as Chairman of the North American Interfraternity Conference for two terms
- Four inductees into the Maine Sports Hall of Fame: Ted Curtis, Sr., 1923 Administrator / Coach; Albert Hackett, 1953 Baseball; Thomas Golden, 1955 Football / Golf; Keith Carney, 1992 Hockey
- Notable contributors to advancing the University and education include the following:
- Walter Balentine, (1875). He was a Professor of Agriculture at the University of Maine. Balentine Hall is named after him.
- Oliver Crosby, (1876). He donated $400,000 to build Crosby Hall.
- Horace Melvin Estabrooke, (1876). He was professor of English at the University of Maine; secondly, he wrote the University of Maine hymn. Estabrooke Hall was named in honor his wife.
- George H. Hamlin, (1873). He was a Professor of Civil Engineering, and he superintended the construction of Coburn Hall, Wingate Hall and the building of the Castle at age 99.
- James Norris Hart, (1885). He was Professor of Math, and Dean of University of Maine. Hart Hall dedicated in his name in 1956.
- Edson Hitchings, (1875). He was a Professor of Horticulture at the University of Maine. Hitchings Hall named in his honor.
- James Perkins Merrill, (1879). He was the curator of the Department of Lithology and Physical Geology at the Smithsonian Museum.
- Ted Curtis (1923), Bill Oliver (1953) and David Rand (1957) were all long time administrators at the University serving in various senior leadership positions.
- Many of the buildings on campus are named after Omega Mu’s including Hart, Balentine and Murray halls
And countless other brothers who have made significant contributions to science, business, education, law, economics, publishing, the military, government and our International Fraternity.
The Chapter has enjoyed many traditions over the year’s including Mud Bowl, Winter Carnival, Greek Week, Fiji Island parties at the house and on remote islands off the coast of Maine, Pats’ Pizza, Oronoka restaurant, Maine Day and Fiji Little Sisters. The Chapter has also produced many Interfraternity Council President’s, Senior Skulls, Student Government Presidents, student athletes and other campus leaders.
This link provides additional historical and other information on the Chapter and house.
The first 25 year history of Omega Mu was published in 1901 and is 214 pages in length. It is dedicated “to the members who struggled in the early days of the Chapter, to uphold its honor, and to lay a solid foundation, this book is gratefully dedicated.”
To read this history, click here. The 50 year history was documented in 1949 in the Phi Gamma Delta magazine; Maine Chapter Rounds out Half Century. This was written by James Hart (1885) and Ted Curtis (1923). To read this history, click here. |
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Current History Update Project
Brother Chip Chapman (1982) is currently updating our rich history. All graduate brothers recently received a letter requesting information, materials, stories, etc. Through this outreach, more than 500 pictures, stories, Pine Tree Fijis and related material has been gathered and digitized. Chip is turning this information into a book that will cover the last 120 years to be published in 2019. Chip can be reached at: [email protected].
Brother Chip Chapman (1982) is currently updating our rich history. All graduate brothers recently received a letter requesting information, materials, stories, etc. Through this outreach, more than 500 pictures, stories, Pine Tree Fijis and related material has been gathered and digitized. Chip is turning this information into a book that will cover the last 120 years to be published in 2019. Chip can be reached at: [email protected].