27-28

1920s | 1930s | 1940s | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | 2010s

20-21 | 21-22 | 22-23 | 23-24 | 24-25 | 25-26 | 26-27 | 27-28 | 28-29 | 29-30

1927 - 1928

The Beta Sigma Chapter of

Pi Kappa Alpha

Carnegie Mellon University

4807 Baum Boulevard

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Chapter History Report

The school year opened with the following brothers enrolled: Ewing, Swem, Crawford, Hewitt. Jackson, Rietz, Carley, King, Tener, L. Smith, I. Smith, Bell, McKibben, McNeill, Broscious, Campbell, Durr, Eason, James, Johnson, Reichenbach, Wilkens, Thomas and Zachrisson.

On October 22, 1927, the annual Pitt-Tech dance was held at the chapter house. This, as usual, was held on the evening following the Pitt-Tech game, and the affair was a most enjoyable one.

During the fall, Brothers Crawford and Campbell were awarded the varsity letter for their work on the cross-country team.

Rushing season began on November 14, 1927, and lasted the rest of the week. Two dances and a theatre party featured the program. This rushing season was the most successful that the chapter has ever experienced.

On January 13, 1928, the second annual "Kid Party" was held. This affair is annual one at the chapter house and is the "snappiest" dance held during the year.

The annua1 "Founders' Day Banquet" was held on March 2nd. Interesting talks were given by Brothers Rice and Ashe (both Alumni). Alumnus Brother Schwab was Toastmaster of the evening - with his "Wise cracks" - the banquet - the speeches, a general "Good Time" was had by all. Brother Durr was awarded the varsity letter for his work on the swimming team.

On December 11, 1927, the following men were taken into the bonds: Roy Wilbur Carter, George Clayre Harbison, Ira Loya1 McCandless, Wi1lard Martin Sanzenbacher, Orville Read Seidner, and Francis William Swem. On March 18, 1928, the following additional men were initiated: Edgar Melville Ellenberger, Ray Oliver Granston, George Walter John, Ward Lee Myers, Joseph Bowne Patterson, James Stewart Rankin, Leon Mondel Worley, Page Lamont Worley, and Harold Curtis Yeager.

At the chapter meeting on March 18, 1928, Brother Rietz was elected S.M.C., BrotherSeidner I.M.C., Brother Durr Th.C., and Brother Broscious was elected House Manager.

The Beta Sigma chapter had long held hopes of having a new home and one which would be owned, rather than rented by the Fraternity. The opportunity for purchasing a home presented itself early in the spring of 1928 and a thorough investigation was made. The house in question was a residence on Wightman Street and could be purchased by the Chapter for $23,000. A special meeting was called and plans were laid for a house-purchasing campaign, which were unanimously approved. The campaign plan briefly was: A corporation was to be formed, The Beta Sigma Building Corporation, and this was to be controlled by the Alumni of the Chapter. A bond issue was to be floated for the immediate financial needs and a large part of the remainder was to be paid as a mortgage.

The above plan was carried out, and on April 28, 1928, the Beta Sigma Chapter moved to its new home. The next several days were spent in "setting the house straight" and in preparing for the Annual Carnegie Campus Week which began May third.

Campus Week was ushered in with the Fraternity Migratory dance and many favorable comments were heard of the new home and of its excellent location. Campus festivities continued until Sunday, May 6th, and during this time a sort of "open house" was carried on at the new home.

Mothers' Day at the Chapter house was held Friday May 11. The banquet was held at six-thirty o'clock, and nearly forty parents were present. Members of the Fraternity entertained with music. and Dean Green, Dean of Women at Carnegie, gave a delightful talk on "Mothers". A tour or inspection of the house was then held and all the mothers seemed well impressed with the new purchase.

With but a few weeks remaining until the end or the school year, the Brothers settled down for the final examinations. These began on May 24th, and continued until June lst. Before the members left for their respective homes a farewell party was held for the graduating Seniors who passed from active membership of the Beta Sigma chapter via the diploma route. They are:

A final "goodbye" was then held, and the Pi K A activities on the Carnegie Campus were ended for the year 1927-28.

A New Chapter House

Almost from the very date of our chartering into Pi Kappa Alpha in 1921 our chapter has been located in a rented home at 4807 Baum Boulevard. That location has served the chapter for a good six years. Located a block or two off of the far end of Morewood Avenue it was a considerable walk to campus.