The first Alpha Sig's at Cal were not undergraduates, but alumni of the Alpha Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi at Yale College. The first and longest of these on the Cal scene was Martin Kellogg, A 1847. Kellogg was a member of Alpha Sigma Phi's second class of initiates. He had been the first editor of the Yale Tomahawk, forerunner of Alpha Sigma Phi's fraternity magazine. After graduation from Yale College, he came, in the 1850's as a Minister, to the Congregational Church in Grass Valley, California.
At the time of Brother Kellogg's arrival in Grass Valley, the gold fever was receding, and when Kellogg found his congregation diminishing he left the mine country for a faculty position at the College of California in Oakland. Kellogg served on the College of California faculty from 1860 to 1868. In 1868, the California Legislature was debating establishment of a state university under the Morrill Land Grant College Act. The College of California agreed that if the legislature would establish a comprehensive university, rather than an agricultural and mechanics institute under the Morrill Land Grant College Act of 1862, the College of California would surrender its charter and assets to the comprehensive University of California. The legislature accepted the college's offer, and the college and its campus in Oakland and its undeveloped campus site in Berkeley passed to the new University.
Martin Kellogg applied for and was appointed to one of the first four professorial appointments for the new University of California. He was the only College of California professor to move directly onto the University faculty. Professor Kellogg became Dean of the Faculty, an elective office, in 1870, and served in that capacity until 1885. The Dean at that time served, in addition to regular duties as Professor of Ancient Languages, as secretary of the Academic Senate, as registrar of students, he received and posted grade reports of performance and entered student averages in the record book. Kellogg made a case for obtaining assistance with these ministerial duties, becoming the father of administration at the University of California. Brother Kellogg was nominated for the University Presidency in 1881, 1885, and 1888, and served as Acting President briefly in the 1880's and from 1890 to 1892. He was named President of the University in 1893. Kellogg served until 1899 when, having sufficiently strengthened the Presidency to permit attraction of a leading national figure, and a having reached the age of 70, Kellogg retired. He was succeeded by Benjamin Ide Wheeler.
Of much shorter duration at Cal was the notable service of another Alpha Sigma Phi alumnus, Daniel Coit Gilman, A 1849. He was appointed President of the University of California in 1872. President Gilman so impressed the Regents that they had legislation introduced to make the President an ex officio member of the Board of Regents. Gilman supervised the move of the University from Oakland to the Berkeley Campus, and presided over commencement of the first class to receive bachelors' degrees from the University. He established the University's first professional schools when the Toland Medical College in San Francisco affiliated with the University in 1873, followed three months later by the California College of Pharmacy. The University was much more vulnerable to legislative whim in its early years and in 1874 a scandal broke over non-competitive contracts granted, pursuant to special legislation, for construction of North Hall. Regent Dr. Samuel Merritt resigned from the Board of Regents as a result of the scandal, and his lumber company refunded $867 in profits from the construction project. Legislative intermeddling and control were not to Gilman's liking, however, and in 1875 he accepted an appointment from the trustees of Johns Hopkins University to become the first President of and to create a new comprehensive university in Baltimore. Brother Gilman served as President of Johns Hopkins from 1875 until 1901.
Following Brother Gilman's departure in 1875 the university embarked on a period of fifteen years of powerless short-term presidents. It was left for Brother Kellogg to strengthen the University presidency, and pave the way for Cal's great Presidents of the Twentieth Century, Wheeler, Sproul, and Kerr. Gilman Hall, located east of Le Conte Hall on the Cal Campus, is named after Daniel Coit Gilman.
I.
The Atherton Club
The Atherton Club, from which Nu Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi originated, developed in 1901 as an eating club of about a dozen Cal students who boarded together at the Pacific Theological Seminary in Berkeley. Friendships developed in this informal setting and social and activities were undertaken. By the fall of 1904 the group had coalesced and organized itself as a local social fraternity. A reunion program from 1928 indicates that the name "Atherton Club" came from the location of Club's first house, on Atherton Street, in 1903. Initial board bills were $16.00 per month. The purpose of the club, as stated in its Constitution of 1904, was --
"to promote the good fellowship which is to be gained by the association of congenial persons of kindred aims and like ideals, and to obtain all the other advantages pertaining to such association."
The prominence and energy of the organizers was a great help to the new club, and at the end of the Fall term of 1904, the membership included nineteen active men. (The roster of the Atherton Club, so far as known, is set forth in Appendix I.)
On January 1, 1905, the Atherton Club took a three-year lease on a house at 2231 Dana Street, one block from what was the boundary of the campus at that time. That site is now occupied by the Alumni House across Dana Street from Harmon Gymnasium now Haas Pavilion. The members of The Atherton Club took part in various campus extracurricular activities including football, track, baseball, varsity crew, basketball, debate, student journalism, dramatics, and class politics. Their successes brought the club into prominence as one of the leading house clubs on the campus. For the next thirty years it was the policy of the club and of Nu Chapter to encourage as many of its members as possible to participate in extracurricular activities outside the chapter. During its first year as a housed local fraternity, the Atherton Club held several social functions at the house. Two to three parties per semester set the pattern of social activity through the early years.
During the 1905-1906 academic year, the Atherton Club had twenty active members, including five new members. In the Spring of 1906, Earl Daveler, A C '06, was elected permanent President of the U. C. Class of '06. William John Cooper, Nu '13, was commencement speaker at graduation. Cooper went on to become Superintendent of Schools in Piedmont, State Superintendent of Public Instruction in California, U. S. Commissioner of Education, and the first Alpha Sigma Phi from other than Alpha Chapter at Yale or Delta Chapter at Marietta to serve as Grand Senior President of Alpha Sigma Phi.
Membership changed little in 1906-1907; the area was recovering from the Great Earthquake and fire that destroyed 80% of San Francisco in April 1906. Eighteen members lived in the house. Frederick Twitchell who won a varsity "C" on the rugby team (then the major intercollegiate sport), one on the varsity crew, and two on the track team. Twitchell went on to become long time Sacramento High School football coach, and the football field at that high school was named in his honor. A member was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
In 1907-1908, seventeen members lived in the house. In January 1908, the club moved to 2435 Piedmont Avenue. Three members were on the varsity track team, and one on the rugby team. A member was elected to Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society.
In 1908-09, membership of the Atherton Club grew to twenty-two residents. Malcolm Goddard, A C '07, was elected A.S.U.C. President for 1908-09.
In 1909-1910, there were twenty undergraduate members. Saxon, Nu '13, broke the intercollegiate record for the mile run. Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu '13, was associate editor of the Daily Californian.
In 1910-11, the club's undergraduate membership was eighteen. Eugene K. Sturgis, Nu '13, was President of the Freshman Class. A member was captain and director of the University marching band.
In Fall 1911, the club moved into its new house at 2614 Dwight Way. A member had planned the house specifically for the club and it had built to lease for five years. The facility was the best of any local fraternity chapter at Cal at the time, and surpassed many of the national fraternities' facilities. The house had a residence capacity of twenty-four. The year opened with 18 members living in. _ (one brother) was outstanding in intercollegiate debate and President of the Debating society. Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu '13, won the Bonnheim Dissertation and Discussion Prize, graduated with honors in History and Political Science, and was on the Student board of Governors of Boalt Hall. A member was President of the University Agricultural Student Association. Another was weight class champion in wrestling. _ was a frequent contributor to the Pelican, and named to the editorial staff of the Blue and Gold.
In 1912-13, membership of the Atherton Club increased to twenty-four members and six pledges. Four members were in the glee club. A member was varsity soccer fullback. Cyril W. McClean, Nu '13, was associate editor of the Daily Californian. The organization felt it had reached its full potential as a local fraternity, and had established a record and alumni base to make itself a valuable acquisition to any national fraternity.
II.
The Petition
The Atherton Club's petition for a charter in Alpha Sigma Phi was submitted on November 1, 1912, following brief correspondence between the club and Alpha Sigma Phi's National Headquarters. Before the petition was approved, three other local fraternities also filed petitions for charters as the Alpha Sigma Phi chapter at the University of California. Suffice to say, the competition between local and national fraternities was turning to favor the nationals, and many of the stronger locals were chartered as chapters of national organizations between 1909 and the outbreak of World War I. One of the petitioning local groups, suspecting that its own credentials were not compelling, suggested that the petitioning groups be merged and the lot chartered by Alpha Sigma Phi.
Alpha Sigma Phi decided to investigate the Atherton Club first, and declined the other petitioners. The November 1, 1912, Atherton Club petition for chartering as a Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi was signed by petitioners were Frederick Twitchell, Tracy B. Kittedge, Charles Hampton, Martin Gavin, Clive Baugh, Leon Ettinger, Thomas Greig, Morrison, Joseph Shell, Lewis Sappington, Earl Kelly, Arthur Gates, James Anderson, Harrison Wyrick, Cyril Mc Clean, Ernest Dichman, Myron Higbey, Joseph Schammell, Bernard Mason, Arthur Guslander, Albert Rinn, and Thomas Ledwich.
Alpha Sigma Phi's Grand Junior President, Wayne M. Musgrave, A '07, appointed Samuel S. McCahill, A '08, a young lawyer in San Francisco, to investigate the petitioners. McCahill's report was favorable, and the petition and report received the approval of the Grand Prudential Committee and of all of the chapters then active.
III
The Installation of Nu Chapter:
Samuel S. McCahill, A '08, was the only recent alumnus of the Fraternity then living in the San Francisco Bay area, so arrangements for initiation and installation presented logistical difficulties. Accordingly the club was requested to select three of its members to go to Seattle and receive all but the final portion of the initiation. Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu '13, Thomas A. Grieg, Nu '13, and Thomas J. Ledwich, Nu '13, were selected for the journey. During semester break, on January 18, 1913, Kittredge, Greig, and Ledwich reported to the Mu Chapter house where they received initial instruction in the rituals and a welcoming banquet. Returning to Berkeley, the three and Mc Cahill administered all but the final elements of the initiation to the twenty four undergraduates and fourteen alumni members over the course of four nights preceding the date set for final initiation. On the evening of January 31, 1913, Carl Croson, B '11, charter member and past H.J.P. and H.S.P. of the Harvard Chapter, an attorney with offices in Seattle appeared with credentials appointing him acting Grand Junior President, and charged with making the installation. Hiram Gear, D 1862, a San Francisco attorney, and Rev. Frank S. Brush, D 1878, together with brothers Croson and Mc Cahill administered the final rituals and installed the chapter on Saturday, February 1, 1913. An installation banquet followed at which William J. Cooper, Nu '13, served as toastmaster. The original charter combined the names of the nine charter alumni initiates as well as of the undergraduate members of the chapter at time of chartering. The order of signing of the roster was also out of keeping with the plan of the Grand Junior President, and each charter initiate therefore has two roster numbers indicated in different records of the fraternity.
IV
Old Nu Chapter
Further initiations of alumni of the Atherton Club took place on March 13, 1913, March 27, 1913, and March 30, 1913, increased the roll to over fifty by the end of the school year. In Spring 1913, Eugene Sturgis, Nu '13, was president of the freshman class; Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu '13, and Arthur I. Gates, Nu '13, were elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Cyril Mc Lean, Nu '13, was associate editor of the Daily Californian, and Ulva L. Ettinger, Nu '13, was soloist of the glee club. The chapter usually had one to six members in glee club in succeeding years, and such activity, together with participation on class sports teams (now defunct) is omitted from the chronology which follows. Carl Sebastian, Nu '13, won a letter in baseball, and Lawrence Saxon, Nu '13, another letter in track. Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu '13, was first H.S.P. of the chapter and Joseph Shell, Nu '13, the first H.J.P. Thomas Ledwich, Nu '13, was elected to the Grand Prudential Committee of Alpha Sigma Phi, and served to 1915. Twenty five brothers returned to Cal in the Fall of 1913, and initiations in September and October brought the chapter roll to 63. Seven more names were added to the role in the Spring of 1914. The chapter ranked fourth in grade point average among the fraternities at Cal in 1913-14. Also during the 1913 1914 school year, Samuel S. Mc Cahill, A' 08, incorporated the alumni association and originated a subscription drive to finance a new house. Over $6,000.00 was raised in the initial drive. Mc Cahill, William Cooper, Dr. E. J. Best, James Mitchell, T. Ledwich, T. Greig, and Ulva Ettinger were the original directors of the Alumni Association. J. Morin, Nu '13, an attorney in Pasadena, was leader of Cal Alpha Sigs in Southern California at the time. Two faculty members of the University, John W. Gregg, G '13, and Benjamin R. Cowgill, E '13, were added to the roster when their local organizations were chartered as Gamma Chapter at Massachusetts Agricultural College (now University of Massachusetts) and Epsilon chapter at Ohio Wesleyan University. Professor John William Nelson, Nu '14, was also initiated by the chapter as a faculty initiate. Ulva L. Ettinger, Nu '13, was elected vice president of the A.S.U.C. Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu '13, won the Pacific Fellowship in History, and a year's tuition and expenses for study at Oxford University. Cyril Mc Clean was copy editor and Leon Ettinger photo editor of the Blue and Gold. An exchange with Sigma Kappa was a novelty among more general parties on the social calendar. Ernest Dickman, Nu '13, served as H.S.P., and won a letter in (rugby) football.
Thirty-two brothers returned to school in the Fall of 1914, and
seven members were initiated in September and four more in February
1915. The chapter placed second in grade average among all fraternities
at the University in 1914-15. Eugene Sturgis, Nu
'13, was president of the debating society, and Hugh Herrick, Nu
'13, was treasurer of the senior class. Arthur Gates, Nu '13, won
a scholarship for study of psychology at Columbia University. U.
L. Ettinger, Nu '13, was soloist and president of the Glee Club,
and Earl Kelly, Nu '13, was manager of the Glee Club for the year.
Paul Fussell, Nu '14, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. Eugene Sturgis,
Nu '13, and Arthur Gates, Nu '13, served as H.S.P.'s of the chapter
during the year. Ten Alpha Sigma Phis earned degrees at Cal in 1915,
the largest number of graduates of any fraternity on campus that
year.
In the Summer of 1915, the chapter hosted the Alpha Sigma Phi National
Convention. Business sessions were held at the Claremont Hotel,
and several smokers were held at the chapter house. Arthur I. Gates,
Nu '13, was elected Grand Secretary of
Alpha Sigma Phi, and served through 1919. Eugene Sturgis, Nu '13,
was Chairman of the Convention Committee.
Thirty-four undergraduate brothers and one affiliate returned to school in the Fall of 1915. The chapter initiated eleven men in the Fall of 1915, and six in the Spring of 1916, bringing the chapter roll to 97. Among the six Spring 1916 initiates was Frank Foli Hargear, Nu '16, later a Distinguished Service Award winner of Alpha Sigma Phi. Among individual honors earned by undergraduates during the 1915-16, Paul Fussell, Nu '14, a Wheeler Scholar, was elected to Order of the Golden Bear, and was a commencement speaker. Earl Kelly, Nu '13, was president and Warren Raeder, Nu '13, was manager of the Glee Club. Donald Martin, Nu '14, was president of the Agricultural College Students Association. Harold Hyde was elected to Phi Beta Kappa; Hugh Herrick and Leroy Hill to Tau Beta Phi. Harry Liversedge, Nu '15, was on the all American rugby team. Brother Liversedge later won a bronze medal in the Olympic Games in shot put, was the Colonel in command of the assault on Mount Sarubuchi on Iwo Jima during which the famous photo of the raising of the U. S. flag was taken. Liversedge has been named "Citizen of the Century" by his hometown, Volcano, California, and is a member of the University of California Athletics Hall of Fame.
Also during the 1915-16 year, the custom was established of singing a verse of "Here's Health to Alpha Sigma" before leaving the dinner table was established; the tradition, modified to sing the verse before being seated at dinner, continued until 1968. Leon Ettinger, Nu '13, and Paul Fussell, Nu '14, served as H.S.P.'s during the school year. The California Alpha Sigma Phi Association was developing plans and resources for construction of a chapter house to be built during the 1917-18 school year. John William Cooper was President of the Alumni Association. All initiates since the organization have pledged or paid in $100.00. B. F. Raber, Xi '14, joined the U.C. faculty in the Department of Engineering.
Thirty members returned to school in Fall 1916, and eight were initiated in September. Among individual honors earned in 1916-17, Harold Hyde, Nu '14, was a commencement speaker, member of the debate team, and on the A. S. U. C. Senate; Hugh Herrick, Nu '13, was elected to Tau Beta Pi, and Pierre J. Walker, Nu '14, was Phi Beta Kappa. University President Benjamin Ide Wheeler was among weekly Wednesday night guests for dinner at the chapter. Harry B. Liversedge, Nu '15, set a U. C. record with a 174' 3" javelin throw. He was starting tackle on the football team, and two other Nu Chapter members were on the squad. Frank Hargear, Nu '16, and A. Brodie Smith, Nu '15, chaired school dance committees. The Spring Formal was cancelled by an epidemic of mumps that hit the Berkeley Campus in March 1916. Paul Fussell, Nu '14, and Harold Hyde, Nu '14, served as H.S.P.'s during the year. Edwin J. Hauser, K '14, joined the faculty of the College of Agriculture.
U. S. involvement in World War I had a profound impact on the chapter during the 1917-18 school year. Fund raising for a new chapter house was put on hold for the duration of the war, and only nineteen members returned to school. Among five brothers initiated in the Fall of 1917 was Trusten P. Wadsworth, Nu '17. "Tux" later earned the Distinguished Service Award of Alpha Sigma Phi for his service to lead the Bay Area Alumni Council and the efforts to revive Nu Chapter in the early 1980's. The lease on the Dwight Way house having expired and Sigma Chi having small membership, large mortgage obligations and room, Nu Chapter shared a house with Sigma Chi Fraternity for the year. Frank Hargear, Nu '16, was business manager of the Daily Californian, and was elected President of the A.S.U.C. Leffler Miller, N '15, won a varsity "C" letter in tennis. Thirty-seven alumni of the chapter served in the armed forces during World War I. Dr. Elbridge Best, M.D., Nu '13, was a Captain in the U. S. Navy Medical Corps. Harold Hyde, Nu '14, chaired a committee which raised funds to send a twenty-one man ambulance corp to France from the University. Marius Scammel, Nu '13, was commissioned a Captain and U. L. Ettinger, Nu '13, was a lieutenant in the U.S. Maine Corps. Others were enrolled in officer training programs or serve as non-commissioned officers or enlistees in various branches of service. Leon Mills, Nu '13, was severely wounded and suffered poison gas exposure as a casualty; he was hospitalized for over a year. In December 1917, the chapter installed the Alverado Club of Stanford University as Tau Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi. A. Brodie Smith, Nu '15, and Paul L. Fussell, Nu '14, (then at Boalt Hall Law School) served as H.S.P.'s of the chapter.
Eighteen active members returned in the Fall of 1918, and eleven men were initiated in September. One affiliate and eight initiates were added in Spring 1919. With the coming of peace, the chapter renewed its lease on the Dwight Way house. Roland Hunt, Nu '16, was soloist of the University glee club, and James C. Raphael, Nu '19, was editor chief of the Daily Californian. The chapter was represented by several brothers on University honorary societies including Golden Bear, Winged Helmet, and Circle "C"s. Elbridge Cantelow, Nu '17, won his Big "C" as the top 220 man on the varsity track team. Frank F. Hargear, Nu '16, served as H.S.P.
In Summer 1919, Tracy B. Kittredge, Nu 13, was elected Grand Secretary of Alpha Sigma Phi. He was then a member of the staff of the Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island. Kittredge went on to become Secretary General of the International Red Cross and a leader in post World War I international relief for Belgium.
Forty brothers returned to school at the Berkeley Campus in the Fall of 1919, and twenty were initiated or affiliated on August 30, 1919. This brought the chapter roster to 150, and undergraduate membership to sixty members. The chapter rented a house at 2634 Bancroft Way while its new chapter house was under construction. The chapter was represented by six brothers in Golden Bear, and six, including Paul Davies, in Winged Helmet. Harold E. Fraser, Nu '16, was President of the Senior Class. Norman Gallison was editor chief of the Daily Californian. Six brothers were on the track team, one on the basketball team, three on the swim team, and Ed Drew, Nu '18, was elected head yell leader. Harold Fraser was elected Permanent Class President of the Class of 1920. Norman Gallison and Harold Fraser served as H.S.P.'s during the year. With the return of peace, many servicemen returned to civilian life, and the number of alumni making a mark in society increased. Harry B. Liversedge, Nu '15, won an Olympic Bronze Medal at the 1920 Antwerp Games. Arthur I. Gates, Nu '13, was made Assistant Professor of Psychology at Columbia University. Tracy Kittredge, Nu '13, was assisting with Belgian relief, and published a book entitled Lessons of the Great War . Kittredge was named Secretary General of the International Red Cross later in the year. W. J. Cooper, Nu '13, was superintendent of schools at Piedmont, California, and J. G. Courts, Nu '13, was principal of the Grass Valley High School. In February 1920, U. L. Ettinger, Nu '13, and F. F. Hargear, Nu '16, were elected to the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association Board of Directors to serve with William J. Cooper, Nu '13, C. V. Thompson, Nu '13, and three members elected by the chapter to represent the undergraduates.
Forty-six brothers returned to school in the Fall of 1920, twelve
men were initiated in Fall 1920, and another dozen added in January
1921. The 1921 initiates included Charles Raymond, Professor of
English at Cal. Among undergraduates’ activities in 1920-21,
Miles York, Nu '18, was news editor of the Daily Californian, and
one of five Alpha Sigs on its editorial staff; Paul Davies, Nu '18,
was activities chairman for commencement. J. Edward Drew, Nu '18,
was H.S.P. On September 9, 1920, the chapter moved into its new
house at 2739 Channing Way (at Piedmont Avenue). The house was designed
by Brothers Miller and Mitchell, architects, and built at a cost
of $35,000.00. Thomas J. Ledwich, Nu '13, was elected President
of the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association, and Eugene K. Sturgis,
Nu '13, was elected Treasurer. Forty-eight brothers returned in
Fall 1921, eight were initiated in Fall 1921, and five initiated
or affiliated in Spring 1922. The alumni corporation noted that
the house was only 80% occupied during the academic year; the chapter
was charged with filling the house and keeping it filled through
the coming year. Nine brothers were on the editorial staff of
the Daily Californian, and three on the editorial staff of the Blue
and Gold. Thomas Harris, Nu '21, was circulation manager of the
California Pelican. Eight brothers were in Winged Helmet, and two
in Golden Bear. Warner Schurr, Nu '19, earned a "C" in
football on the Andy Smith "Wonder Team" which went undefeated.
Other brothers won spots on the varsity basketball team and crew.
Rollo Beatty, Nu '19, and Perry Kittredge, Nu '15, served as H.S.P.s.
Thirty-six brothers returned to campus in the Fall of 1922, and
thirteen were initiated during the Fall semester. Among the new
initiates was Waldemar R. Augustine, Nu '22, who has earned the
Distinguished Service Award of Alpha Sigma Phi.
Three brothers were initiated in the spring of 1923. Frederick A.
Fender, Nu '20, was editor of the California Pelican, and five brothers
were on the editorial staff of the Daily Californian . Horace Wadsworth,
Nu '21, was manager of the Blue and Gold , the largest college annual
in America at the time. Phillip Moore, Nu '20, was circulation manager
of
the Occident , the campus literary magazine. Lloyd Thompson, Nu
'19, won letters in basketball and baseball, his batting average
in baseball over two years was .494, and he was elected team captain.
Brothers John Spence, Nu '19, and Gustav Harding, Nu '19, served
as H.S.P.'s. Frank Foli Hargear, Nu '16, was elected Grand Secretary
of Alpha Sigma Phi in 1923, and served to 1925; Hargear was re-elected
to the Grand Council in 1937, serving as Grand Secretary until 1940,
and was on the Grand Council as Grand Marshall from 1950 to 1958.
His span of service over a period of 35 years on the Council is
unequalled. In 1980, the National Convention of Alpha Sigma Phi
adopted the Frank Hargear Award as its outstanding undergraduate
award.
Forty-eight brothers returned in Fall 1923, two affiliates and eleven initiates we added that term, bringing the active chapter to sixty-one members at the end of Fall term. Two men were initiated in Spring 1924. Brother Frederick A. Fender, Nu '20, edited the Pelican for a second year. Lloyd Thompson, Nu '19, added a letter in football to his basketball and baseball letters, becoming the chapter's first three-sport letter winner. Two other brothers were also on Andy Smith's football squad that went undefeated for a third consecutive season. T. P. Wadsworth, Nu '17, and Thomas M. Sides, Nu '19, served as H.S.P.'s. Ernest W. Dickman, Nu '13, superintended the first round the world flight by U. S. Naval aircraft in 1924.
Forty-three brothers returned to school in the Fall of 1924, twelve were initiated in the Fall, and four in the Spring of 1925. Alpha Sigma Phi placed first in scholarship among the national and local fraternities at Cal in 1924-25. Four members were on the editorial staff of the Daily Californian . William D. Higgins, Nu '23, was named to the all Pacific Coast Conference basketball team, and the press placed him on all coast all-star teams. William T. Coffin, Nu '23, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and the chapter was well represented in departmental honor societies in finance, medicine, law, and commerce. Arthur Dudman, Nu '20, and William Walton, Jr., Nu '22, served as H.S.P.'s during the year. The Founders' Day Banquet at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, marking the twentieth anniversary of the Atherton Club's constitution was a notable success.
Twenty-one brothers returned to the Fall 1925 term, thirteen were initiated August 30, 1925, and five more in January 1926. John Young, Nu '22, won his second letter in football, and scored the winning touchdown against Pennsylvania in a post season game played at the Rose Bowl. It was Andy Smith's last game as Cal Coach, he died of pneumonia in January 1926. Ralph Mc Goey, Nu '23, was on the varsity crew. Wilfred S. York, Nu '21, served as H.S.P. for the year. William D. Higgins, Nu '23, was named "All Coast" basketball center for the second season. He was high point man in every Cal basketball game of the 1925-26 season.
The opening of the 1926-27 school year brought thirty-two Alpha Sigs back to campus. Only seven men were initiated by the chapter during the year, the smallest total since 1913. Donaldson Thorburn was editor chief of the Daily Californian, and Robert Fender, Nu '20, continued as editor of the Pelican . Roland D. Fontana, Nu '27, was on the varsity crew. Hanry Dietz, Nu '25, was on the varsity water polo team. The chapter was sixth of 62 fraternities in academic standing. Eugene Williams, Nu '24, and Donaldson Thorburn, Nu '23, served as chapter H.S.P.'s. President Coolidge appointed William J. Cooper, Nu '13, State Superintendent of Public Instruction since 1924; and ex-officio Regent of the University of California, to be U. S. Commissioner of Education. Alfred Soloman, Nu '13, was named chairman of the Department of French at the University of California.
Twenty-eight brothers returned to school for the Fall semester in 1927. Eight names were added to the roll in September and five more in January 1928. Wilburn Talbot, Nu '24, was president of Big "C" Society, and captain of the varsity track team. John Young, Nu '22, was assistant football coach at Cal, and William D. Higgins, Nu '23, was freshman basketball coach. Tow brothers were among the membership of both Winged Helmet and Golden Bear.
Twenty-four men returned to school in the Fall of 1928, and seven were initiated. Charles Tebbe, Nu '25, was in Winged Helmet, Golden Bear, and Big "C" Society. Raymond Roberts, Nu '28, was president of Circle "C". Charles Tebbe and Douglas Day, Nu '25, served as H.S.P.s of Nu Chapter during the year.
Twenty members and two affiliates returned to school in 1929; two fall initiates and four spring initiates were added. George Smith, Nu '27, and Arthur Fox, Nu '27, served as H.S.P.s. In 1929 Thomas Ledwich, Nu '13, was elected Grand Secretary of Alpha Sigma Phi; he served until 1932.
___brothers returned to school in Fall 1930. Six were initiated in the Spring of 1931. Fred Witzel, Nu '28, served as H. S. P.
In 1932, John William Cooper, Nu '13, was elected Grand Senior President of Alpha Sigma Phi. He was the first alumnus of a chapter other than Alpha or Delta to hold the position, and served until his death in 1935.
In 1932-33 Jack Hood was Chairman of the California Rally Committee
and H.S.P. Ralph Coffee, T. W. Harris, and Tom Ledwich were appointed
to a chapter visitation committee, precursor of the Grand Chapter
Advisor position. Lloyd Smith,
Nu '22, was State Chairman of the Hoover for President campaign
in Nevada. Arthur Harris, Nu '32, was president of the Sophomore
Class.
Nu chapter initiated thirteen members during the 1933-34 school year.
The chapter initiated twelve members during the 1934-35 academic year. Charlie Normand, Nu '32, was Fall H.S.P., and Boyd Gainor, Nu '33, served in Spring 1935. Normand also served as President of the I.F.C. Arthur Harris, Nu '33, was elected President of the Associated Students of the University of California, and elected to Order of the Golden Bear. Joe Gallison, Nu '33, was all P.C.C. pitcher in baseball. Boyd Gainor, Nu '33, was Chairman of the Rally Committee. Earle Teasdale, Nu '34, broke P.C.C. records in breaststroke. Three members were on the varsity crew.
The chapter initiated seventeen members during 1935-36. Francis Mc Carty, Nu '28, was elected president of the Barrister's Club of San Francisco. Mc Carty would go on to become a member of the Board of Supervisors of San Francisco and later Presiding Judge of the Superior Court of San Francisco in 1972.
Nu Chapter reported initiating four members during the 1936-37 academic year. Steve Rogers, Nu '34, was Fall H.S.P. Milton Morrison, Nu '37, was H.C. Morrison would later receive the Distinguished Service Award of Alpha Sigma Phi after twelve years as Grand Chapter Advisor (1957-1969), leadership of the Bay Area Alumni Council, and over 35 years service on the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association. Fifteen men were pledged in Fall Rush under the direction of Rogers and Rush Chairman Bob Farrell. Jack Smith, Nu '37, was on the football varsity; George Bolitho, Nu '38, on the crew. "Mo" Witzel, Nu '37, was on the track team, and Tom Twohig on Nibs Price first team of the basketball varsity. John Doane, Nu '36, Chuck Roseland, Nu '37, and Tom Twohig, Nu '37, were on Rally Committee. W. R. Augustine, Nu ’23, was President of the San Francisco Alumni Council of Alpha Sigma Phi and remained a leading figure in the Alumni Council until his death in the mid-1970’s.
The chapter initiated thirteen members during the 1937-38 academic year. Jack Smith, Nu '37, lettered in football playing tackle.
The chapter initiated nine members during the 1938-39 school year. The chapter was 16th of 39 active fraternity chapters, and above the all men's average in academic performance. Seven men were pledged in Fall Rush. Jack Smith again lettered in football.
Nu Chapter pledged eight men in the Fall of 1939, and initiated ten members during the academic year of 1939-40. George Blowers, Nu '40, was the first member of Theta of Phi Pi Phi initiated by the chapter. The house reported that it was above the all men's average in grade point for the third straight year. Jack Smith earned another football letter, playing tackle. Bob Wertsch, Nu '37, was H.S.P. Dr. Joseph Libbey, Nu '29, was a resident surgeon at San Mateo Hospital. In 1940, Paul Fussell, Nu '14, was elected Grand Treasurer of Alpha Sigma Phi, and served through 1946.
In Fall 1940 twenty-four initiates returned to Cal. Ten men were pledged in Fall rush, and the 1940-41 school year brought nine new names to the Nu chapter roster. Tom Twohig, Nu '37, was H.S.P. of the chapter. Wally Meyer, Nu '40, won a "C" in tennis. Nu was first in academic standing among campus fraternities.
In 1941-42 Cassius Dowell and Robert Carter, Nu '39, were H. S. P.'s. Nine undergraduates were added to the role. Campus life changed markedly after Sunday, December 7, 1941. The U. S. went to war, and the west coast was vulnerable to Japanese invasion or attack. Blackout darkened the City lights and bridges usually visible from the chapter, as the Coast took action against Axis raids. The selective service system began it impact chapter size and operations, tapping Clarkson Pinkham, Nu '38, for service after he had been elected H.S.P.
V.
Theta Chapter of Phi Pi Phi
At the end of World War I a number of servicemen returned to Cal
to continue their studies. Some of these men found little in the
existing fraternities to interest them, and they banded together
to form the Federal Students Club. Membership was initially limited
to veterans with foreign service. As incoming veteran student numbers
dwindled, the club dropped its requirement and came to operate more
as a house club. In May 1922 the Club completed the change to local
social fraternity and took the name Alkamoi Club. On May 25, 1924
the Alkamoi Club was chartered as Theta Chapter of Phi Pi Phi. Harry
Witt, T '25, submitted a song, "Golden Chains of Phi Pi Phi"
, to the tune of "There's a Long Long Trail a Winding."
William Kemp, T '98, was Dean of the University of
California School of Education and President of San Jose State.
Frederick Griffin, T '24, was Professor of Agricultural Education,
Oregon State Univ.; Prof. of Rural Education, Cornell Univ. Henry
Skidmore, T , was Professor of Agriculture, University of California.
Lloyd K. Wood, T ', was Chapter President. William Montgomery, T
'24, was Chairman A. S. U. C. elections committee and manager of
the gym team. John T. Lanning, T ' , was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.
The Chapter ranked 24th of 62 Fraternities in academic performance
in Fall 1924. Stone Crane, T '24, was chapter president. Crane later
served as a national officer in Phi Pi Phi and was responsible for
development or installation of several chapters of Phi Pi Phi in
the Southeast, including chapters at North Carolina State University,
the University of Mississippi, the University of Tennessee, and
the University of South Carolina.
During the 1925-26 academic year, the Chapter moved from 2333 College Avenue to 2736 Bancroft Way. The College Avenue house had burned one week before the start of classes in the Fall of 1925. Alpha Sigma Phi was one of four fraternities which took in members of the chapter until new housing could be arranged. The new house had been the home of Dr. Elwood Meade, former Dean of the College of Agriculture. Ray Stanbury, T ' , was named one of the seven most distinguished members of the Class of '25. Lloyd Fisher, T ' , was editor chief of California Countryman. Leonard King, T ' , transferred to University of Arizona where he set a league javelin throw record and won a varsity "A". Arthur B. Alderette, I , an affiliate of the Phi Pi Phi Chapter at Cal, earned a "C" in track. Emile Hanson, T ' , captain of the Gym team, and President of Circle "C". Chapter ranked 3rd of 62 fraternities in academic performance, and first in the Fall Semester. William Montgomery, T ', was alumni secretary.
Twenty-eight members returned to school in the Fall of 1926. Four
freshmen were pledged in fall rush. Francis Watson was elected President
of the Big "C" Society. Ralph Follett, T ' , elected President
of the Circle "C" Society and Leland Groesinger, T ' ,
elected secretary of the Society. Leland Groesinger was Chapter
President, and was captain of the soccer team. Chet Miller, T '
, won a Big "C" in baseball. In the Spring, the chapter
purchased its house on Bancroft Way, and the chapter moved to 15th
from fortieth in academic performance in the Spring Semester. Oliver
Vickery, T ' , was vice president of Coast Banker Publishing Company
and National President of Chi Alpha
professional finance fraternity. Stone Crane, T '24 was named inspector
(equivalent to our Grand Province Chief) for the Southeastern United
States.
During the 1927 28 academic year George Daugherty, T ' , was captain of the soccer team. Howard Evans was manager of the gymnastics team. The chapter pledged seven men during the Spring Semester. During the 1928 29 academic year Irving McKee, T ' , a transfer to Yale, entertained Phi Pi Phi's from Harvard prior to "The Game" of 1928. Prof. Frederick Griffin, T ' , was teaching at U. C. Davis. G. Albert Wahl, T ' , was chapter president, was named Sports Editor of the Daily Californian, and was elected to Golden Bear. The chapter was ranked 12th of 61 fraternities in Spring Semester grades. Glen Sturdivant, T '25, was killed in a boating accident on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon February 20, 1929. Nine brothers were initiated in February 1929. Herb Mensing, T '28, earned an M.A. at Columbia University.
During the 1929 30 academic year, Warren Eveland, T ' , was chapter president. Two men pledged early in Spring term. Glen Heisch, T ' , was Editor of the Pelican . Oliver Vickery, T '25, named a vice president of the Bank of the United States, 70 Wall Street, New York. Knight Biggerstaff, T '27, a fellow at Yenching University, China. Harry Witt, T '25, was secretary treasurer of Southern "C"'s, the California Alumni Association Club in Southern California. Oliver Vickery, T '25, was commissioned a colonel in the Kentucky Militia, and was the Republican candidate for Congress in Kentucky. Lee Groesinger, T ' , graduated from Harvard Law School. Jack Driver, T '28, director of the statistics laboratory, U. C. Berkeley. Hal Butterfield, T '28, was alumni secretary for Southern California. During the 1930 31 academic year "Chick" Hertert, T '27, was elected President of the Theta Chapter Alumni Association.
Three members were initiated in the early Fall of 1931. Bill Calkins was managing editor of the Daily Californian. Crawford Mortenson was chapter President. In 1932 the Bancroft Way chapter house of Phi Pi Phi burned. At the time the Cal I.F.C. wold not recognize as a fraternity chapter a group that did not provide housing, and Theta of Phi Pi Phi did not have the resources to obtain another house immediately. The Theta Chapter of Phi Pi Phi therefore became inactive in 1932.
This second major house fire in ten years, coupled with the weakening effects of the Great Depression led to loss of the Chapter. Efforts were made in 1935 to revive the chapter, but Phi Pi Phi as a national fraternity was growing weaker due to chapter losses resulting from the Great Depression. In 1938, through efforts of Alpha Sigma Phi G. S. P. Wilbur H. Cramblet, Alpha '12 (Yale); Executive Secretary Ralph F. Burns, Epsilon '32 (Ohio Wesleyan), and Phi Pi Phi National President Dr. Hugh Hart, Alpha Nu '39 (Westminster), Phi Pi Phi and Alpha Sigma Phi merged. Under the terms of the merger, all life member subscribers of the Phi Pi Phi Quarterly were entitled to free initiation into Alpha Sigma Phi if they accepted within three years (this was later extended to one year after the end of World War II). All other initiates of Phi Pi Phi in good standing were (and remain) entitled to initiation in Alpha Sigma Phi upon payment of an initiation fee of $25.00. Not all members of Theta Chapter of Phi Pi Phi had remained in the Bay Area, and those initiated by other chapters are enrolled on the roster of the chapter where they were initiated. Twenty-one alumni of the chapter were initiated in ceremonies headed by Herbert Mensing, Thomas Ledwich, and W. R. "Auggie" Augustine on March 21, 1942. Others were initiated as late as 1960. A list of the known initiates of Theta of Phi Pi Phi is included in Appendix 3. Several members of Theta of Phi Pi Phi have received the Delta Beta Xi Award of Alpha Sigma Phi.
VI.
World War II and Revival
The Alpha Sigma Phi chapter house at Cal was kept open through the Summer of 1942, the University had adopted a three semester system, and all regular students not in service were attending year round. Warren Vogel, Nu '41, was H.S.P. in Spring 1942. Ten members were initiated in Spring 1943. Most members of the chapter were in R.O.T.C. or service training, such as the "V12" program. Twelve members were in the Navy or Marine Reserves and attending school while awaiting the call to active duty. Winston Halley, Nu '40, was H.S.P. Hundreds of Nu Chapter alumni served in the armed forces during World War II, at least two made the supreme sacrifice for American freedom. From 1944 through Spring 1946 the number of undergraduate members and prospective rushees in school did not warrant chapter operations, and the 2739 Channing Way chapter house was leased for use as a woman's dormitory. A committee of Weldon Richards, Paul Martini, Maitland McKenzie, and Thomas W. Harris were placed in charge of the chapter's personal property. Clifford Elwood, Nu ' , was awarded the Bronze Star for bravery in action breaching the Siegfired Line in Germany from March 19th to 23rd, 1945; Brother Elwood died in action April 23, 1945.
The first "post war" meeting of Nu Chapter occurred at the International House on March 5, 1946; four undergraduates initiates, Foster, Carter, Price, and Bergman, one affiliate, Phil Johnson, Alpha Zeta '30 (U.C.L.A.), and two pledges attended. Three other members were enrolled in the Spring Semester. Plans for return to the chapter house were laid.
The Chapter reopened in its 2739 Channing Way chapter house in September 1946. Forty-seven members returned to school of whom thirty-two (capacity) lived in. The chapter initiated nine members and two Phi Pi Phi alumni during the academic year.
The chapter initiated twenty-two men during the 1947-48 academic year. In the Fall of 1948, the Chapter's membership swelled to sixty initiates and pledges. Bob Dable, Nu '47, was named Cal's freshman basketball coach for the '48 - '49 season. Al Armstrong, Nu '47, and Bart Rowe, Nu '49, earned letters on the rugby squad; Eric Schurmaker, Nu '48, was manager of the rugby team, and average attendance at home rugby matches averaged 7,000 in Memorial Stadium as Cal rugby coach "Doc" Hudson began a string of undefeated seasons. In the Spring of 1949, Tom Ledwich, Nu '13, President of the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association, was named a Superior Court Judge in Alameda County. Harry Witt, T of Phi Pi Phi '25, AZ '40, contributed an article published in the Tomahawk : "The Industry that Makes an Eye Witness of Us All", based on his experience as C.B.S. Western Division General Manager. Benedict F. Raber, Xi '13, Omega 1949, a member of the U. C. Berkeley faculty for 34 years; he was Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Emeritus at the time of his death. Brother Raber was a recognized pioneer in air conditioning. He had also designed water pumping systems for the City of Sacramento and for the U. C. campuses at Berkeley, Davis, and San Francisco during his tenure.
Nu Chapter's pledge class of 27 in the Fall of 1950 was the largest on campus that Fall. It included frosh football quarterback Tommy Snowden, Nu '51. Five members were initiated in November 1950, and twelve in February 1951. Frank F. Hargear, Nu ’16, was elected Grand Marshal of Alpha Sigma Phi and served in that capacity until 1958.
The 1951-52 academic year brought Nu eight initiates on October 8, 1951, and three in March 1952. Ralph G. Follis, Nu '18, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Standard Oil Company of California; he had started with the company in 1924 as an engineer's helper. Hon. Francis McCarty, Nu '28, a member of the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco, and later Presiding Judge of the Superior Court in san Francisco, was acting Mayor of San Francisco on several occasions in 1952.
During the 1952-53 academic year, Tom Harris and Frank Hargear teamed up to produce a directory of all 1500 Alpha Sig's living in California. It was published in the Fall of 1953; the cost of the 142 page publication was underwritten by the San Francisco and Los Angeles Alumni Councils and by a subscription campaign among those alumni councils and the councils in Sacramento, Oakland, and Honolulu. The chapter initiated six members in October 1952, and an equal number in March 1953. In 1953 the Chapter won the University intramural football championship, and the fraternity league tennis championship. Gordon Gill, N '51, was named to the all Pacific Coast Conference Water Polo team. He led the Bears in scoring with 56 of 136 Cal's water polo goals during the season.
The chapter initiated five members in September 1953, and eight in March 1954. Frederick Gibson, Nu '14, fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and for 29 years managing director of the Boyce Thompson Southwest Arboretum passed into Omega Chapter. Waldemar R. "Auggie" Augustine, Nu '22, was toastmaster of the 1954 Alpha Sigma Phi Convention at Port Huron, Mich., and was recognized as having attended the most Alpha Sig Conventions of any other brother then living. Frank Hargear published an Alpha Sigma Phi Directory of California, including initiates in all states of Nu, Tau, and Alpha Zeta Chapters. Miles York, Nu '19, was president of the Atlantic Companies, oldest mutual marine insurance company in the United States. Harry Witt, T of Phi Pi Phi '25, AZ '40, was General Manager of KTTV, Los Angeles. Ed Drew, Nu '16, was public relations director of Lever Brothers. Ralph G. Follis, Nu '19, was President of Standard Oil Company of California.
The chapter initiated nine members during the 1954 55 academic year. H.S.P. Gordon Gill, Nu '51, set two University of California water polo records with 63 goals in 18 games, and 10 points in one game against U.O.P. The Cal team tied for the Pacific Coast Conference championship. Gill also earned two "C"s in baseball.
The chapter initiated two members in October 1954, and seven members
in March 1955. On November 18, 1955, twenty-five alumni gathered
at the Nu Chapter house to welcome Emmett B. Hayes, T '31, new Grand
Senior President. H. S. P. Gordon Gill set several P. C. C. water
polo scoring records as captain of Cal's conference co-championship
team that finished its season with a 17 win 1 loss record. Nu alumni
led all chapters in the 1955 Alumni Contribution campaign of Alpha
Sigma Phi nosing out Eta
chapter $410 to $399.
The chapter initiated eleven members during the 1956-57 academic year.
During the 1957 - 1958 academic year the chapter had 23 members and pledged and initiated 15 new men. Its academic rank in Spring 1958 was 47th of 49 fraternities. Six members were initiated in September 1957, and nine members in March 1958.
In the Fall of 1958, the chapter had 22 members and 23 pledges.
It was 41th of 42 reporting fraternities with a grade point average
of 1.132. The chapter was placed on
probation for its poor academic performance. Robert Matthew and
served as H.S.P. Three members were initiated in Fall 1958, and
eight in March 1959.
In 1959-60 the Chapter won the intramural championship in basketball. Jerry Buck, Nu '58, was H. S. P. Thirteen new members were initiated during the year. Hon. Joseph L. Shell, Nu '13, was named 94th Grand Master of the Masons in California.
VII.
The 1960's and the Decline of the Fraternity System
In Spring 1961 the chapter was sixth of fifty fraternities in grade point average. Eight men were initiated during the 1960-61 school year. In 1961 Paul Fussell, Nu '14, was elected President of the Board of Trustees of Pomona College. In early 1962, Austin Cushman, Nu '21, was named Chairman of the Board of Sears Roebuck & Co.; Cushman had started with the company in 1931 as a part time salesman in a position he was told about by a fraternity brother. Waldemar R. Augustine, Nu ’23, was elected to the Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi and served on the counsil for eight years.
Nu Chapter initiated fourteen members during the 1961-62 academic year. The chapter was 8th among fifty fraternities in grade point average in the Spring of 1962. Dennis Sherman, Nu '59, served as H.S.P in Fall 1961; Michael Halloran, Nu '58, served as H.S.P. in the Spring and Summer 1962; Paul Beal, Nu '60, was H. S. P. for Fall 1962. In 1962 Waldemar Augustine, Nu '22, was elected Grand Marshall of Alpha Sigma Phi, and served through 1970. William Street, Nu '22, retired President of Frederick Nelson Department Stores was Chairman of the 1962 World's Fair at Seattle. The Fiftieth Anniversary of Chartering was celebrated by a banquet at the St. Francis Yacht Club, San Francisco. Alumni of 18 chapters and undergraduates from Nu, Tau, and Gamma Nu Chapters were in attendance. Charter members Thomas Greig and Hon. Thomas Ledwich described the initiation and installation. Dr. E. J. Best, Nu '13, described the founding of the Atherton Club in 1904. Grand Senior President Dallas Donnan was the chief speaker of the evening; Grand Marshal Waldemar Augustine, Nu '22, was master of ceremonies. Executive Secretary Ralph Burns presented fifty year certificates to seven 1913 initiates attending. Two past Grand Senior Presidents, Charles Akre, AB '28, and Emmett Hayes, T '31, were present.
In the Fall of 1963, the Chapter pledged eleven men, filling the house to its capacity of 32 men. Eight members were initiated during the school year. The Alpha Sigs won their league's championship in intramural football. Rich Cobden was elected to the I.F.C Executive Committee. Dr. Frederick Fender, M.D., Nu '20, retired as Professor of Medicine at Stanford University. Dr. Fender was the West Coast pioneer of electroencephalography.
In the Fall of 1964, over eleven hundred freshmen gathered in Pauley Ballroom of the Student Union for Fall Rush orientation. The campus was nearing its planned enrollment maximum of 27,500 students, and late applicants to schools which also existed on other campuses were hearing a new term: "redirection". Nu Chapter pledged fifteen men, and filled the house to its capacity of 32, with several seniors living out. Nu Chapter initiated eleven members during the school year. During the Fall term, ex-U. S. Senator William Knowland, publisher of the Oakland Tribune, brought pressure on the Regents to stop civil rights groups from using the University Campus for recruiting and fund raising. The campus had traditionally been non-political. In the days before World War II, the area South of Sather Gate was "off campus" Telegraph Avenue. Soapbox speakers espoused causes ranging from communism to pro fascist organizations. With Sproul Hall and the Student Union Building and dining commons about completed in the 1950's, Telegraph Avenue north of Bancroft Way became part of campus. This brought change in the tradition, but not so much that when Adlai Stevenson made a campaign visit to Berkeley during the 1956 Presidential Campaign he was allowed use of the campus. Candidate Stevenson stood in an island in Oxford Street to address students gathered on the West side of campus. In 1964, however, Chancellor Strong backed off a bit. Information distribution or pamphleteering was allowed in a number of areas, and political speech was allowed on Sproul Hall steps. Fund raising on campus, however, remained banned. When the campus police tried to enforce the fund raising ban, crowds gathered and trapped the police car. Matters escalated, the famous sit-in in Sproul Hall and cancellation of a week of classes resulted. Cal was on the front pages of the hometown papers throughout the state and nation. Activists loved it; high school seniors likely to seek out Cal for a sound education and their parents, for the most part, did not. The Fall's Free Speech Movement degenerated into the Spring's "Filthy Speech Movement."
In the Fall of 1965, 450 participated in rush. Alpha Sigma Phi pledged 10 and had 26 members living in. During the year the chapter initiated eight members. Al Hill served as H.S.P., Paul Simon as H.J.P. and Gary Bowe as H.E. In the Summer of 1966 Rich Riemke, Nu '63, was Drum Major of the California Marching Band, and led the band in an appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show. Henry Dietz, Nu '25, was named Professor of Law at the University of Santa Clara. S. S. "Bert" Inch, Nu '27, Vice President of Kaiser Industries, took control of Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. The alleged attack on the U. S. S. Maddux led to the Tonkin Gulf resolution in 1964, and the draft (which Congress had considered abolishing in 1962) became a major factor in the life of every 18 to 25 year old male. As the armed services took more men, and deployments to Vietnam increased, so did opposition to the war, the draft, and to anything associated with "the Establishment." Berkeley was in the forefront of the anti-war movement, and draft protests replaced civil rights causes. The campus did not calm down, and bad press continued.
In the Fall of 1966, just over 325 students participated in I.F.C. formal rush for 48 fraternities. Many of the fraternity chapters at Cal had not been full through the 1965-66 year. Alpha Sigma Phi had one of the larger pledge classes in Fall 1966, with six pledges. Three more pledged during informal rush. Six members were initiated during the school year. Sigma Pi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Del Rey (local) closed during the year. Anti R.O.T.C. and anti draft demonstrations kept Cal in the newspapers. Cal converted from the Semester system to the Quarter system. William Wasley, M '64, and Charles Schwenck, Nu '63, served as H.S.P.'s during the year.
In the Fall of 1967, 250 men rushed 45 Cal Fraternities. Nine pledged Alpha Sigma Phi. Three more pledged in informal rush. Fourteen men were initiated during the school year; these (September 1967, January and March 1968) were the last three initiations at Nu Chapter until 1982. Dissention developed in the chapter over marijuana use, and in the Spring several members at both the pro use and anti use extremes of the membership moved out of the house. Phi Gamma Delta and Theta Xi closed. Sigma Chi surrendered its national charter, but continued as a local (Sigma Chi Alpha). Charles Schwenck, Nu '64, and Larry Moser, Nu '66 served as H.S.P.'s during the year.
In the Fall of 1968, just fewer than 200 rushees participated in Fall rush for forty under manned chapters. The rushees banned together and pledged the houses that appeared to be in stronger condition. A few fraternities pledged fair numbers, others pledged one or two. Our alums had underwritten two rush functions in the Summer one on a yacht, and the other at Gene Sturgis mansion in Piedmont. Among the undergraduates, everyone was pulling in a different direction. Younger brothers of two members were participated in Fall rush but declined to rush Alpha Sigma Phi. Alpha Sigma Phi pledged one man, and had thirteen members living in the chapter house as classes began. Felix Usis, Nu '66, served as H.S.P. A deficit of $3,000.00 was projected for the year, and neither the chapter nor the alumni association had reserves to call upon. During the fall term the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association announced that the chapter house would be closed January 1, 1969. The undergraduate chapter accepted the news with resignation; there was no consideration given to trying to find smaller quarters or to trying to carry on as a chapter organization without chapter housing. At the time of its closing, Alpha Sigma Phi, with thirteen members was above the average size of Fraternity chapters at Cal. Over two thirds of the fraternity chapters at Cal closed for a year or more during the Vietnam War era. Early in 1969, the University suffered further negative publicity when Wheeler Auditorium, one of the major lecture halls on campus, was gutted by a fire.
Army helicopters sprayed tear gas on the campus during demonstrations in the 1970. The height of the anti establishment fervor was reached at Kent State University in Ohio, where National Guard units called to protect the campus inflicted casualties on student protesters. After Nu Chapter was suspended in January 1969, the chapter house at 2739 Channing Way was leased to Kappa Delta Rho fraternity for a time. It was then sold to Kappa Delta Rho. The proceeds of the sale were held by the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association, with income used for scholarships for Cal students. The California Alpha Sigma Phi Association supervised lease and then sale of the house. Waldemar Augustine, Nu '22, was President of the house corporation until his death in 1975; he was succeeded by Maitland Mc Kenzie, Nu '22, who served until 1982. Other officers during the period of inactivity of the chapter included Eugene Sturgis, Nu '13, Shelby King, Nu '50, Mo Witzel, Nu '37, and Weldon Richards, Nu '38. The Association awarded over $10,000.00 in scholarship grants to students during the period of chapter inactivity.
VIII
The "new" Nu Chapter
Following the end of the Vietnam War the traditional institutions began to return to the Cal campus. Alpha Sigma Phi explored at least two unsuccessful leads (in 1976 and 1977) for re-colonization before the effort of 1980-82. The possibility of return of Alpha Sigma Phi was discussed at Founders' Day dinners, at pre "Big Game" parties, and at the Fraternity's conventions. "Tux" Wadsworth, in 1976; Garrett Riegg in 1978 and 1980, and 1981; and Bob Kutz in 1976, 1979, 1980, and 1981, attended the fraternity's annual meetings (National Leadership Conference and Conventions in even numbered years and National Leadership Conferences in odd numbered years), and gradually convinced the national fraternity’s governing board, theGrand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi, to place Nu Chapter in line for re colonization efforts. "Tux" led the battle with the University administration, and kept pressure on the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association to support the effort. After contacts with several "legacies" did not produce a progenitor, Tux Wadsworth met a freshman, Steve Allison. Steve met with several of the alumni members and became enthusiastic about reviving the Alpha Sigma Phi chapter at Cal.
Steve Allison attended the 1980 National Leadership Conference
and Convention of Alpha Sigma Phi. Arrangements were made with Executive
Director Kevin Garvey, AN '71, to "rent" a chapter consultant
to assist in rushing and organizing the interest group. "Tux"
coordinated fund raising to pay for the cost of the consultant and
some assistance for rush costs. Chapter consultant Rob Sheehan,
AN '75, arrived on an April day in 1981. News had just been released
that Rob would become Executive Director of the Fraternity. The
University had been moved from opposition to indifferent acceptance
of our efforts. "Tux" Wadsworth, Nu '17; Garrett Riegg,
Nu '66; Rob Sheehan, AN '75, and Steve Allison, Nu '82, met on campus
on April 4, 1981 to begin recruitment. During the following week
Rob and Steve blitzed the campus, and by April 10, 1981, fifty students
had indicated an interest in organizing a chapter. Steve Allison
was initial chairman of the Allied Students for Progress (A.S.P.),
and Atherton Club. The first (annual) Alpha Sigma Phi alumni picnic
was held in Tilden Park in April 1981. The interest group moved
to colonization swiftly, adding members and loosing some. A list
of the Atherton Club members of 1981 is included in Appendix 1.
The colonization was granted in ceremonies in May 1981, at His Lordships'
Restaurant, Berkeley. Two charter members of the old chapter, Dr.
Jack Best, N '13, and Charles Hampton, N '13, were in attendance.
A possible chapter house was identified, and negations begun for
a lease of the former Sigma Phi Epsilon house at Bowditch and Durant
Avenue. When arrangements for the house were completed, "Tux"
Wadsworth, Nu '17, "Wally" Burr, Mu '23, and others went
to work to raise funds for furnishing the house. This involved fund
raising, prowling used furniture stores for furniture bargains,
and keeping an ear open to hotels and other commercial buildings
to be refurnished. At a meeting of June 3, 1981, the California
Alpha Sigma Phi Association agreed to enter into a lease of the
Durant and Bowditch house on behalf of the colony. Cary Petzel,
Nu '82, was elected
President, and Brett Lawson elected Vice President of the Colony.
The colony prepared its petition, and submitted it requesting re chartering in February 1982, sixty-nine years after the initial chartering. Twenty-nine members were initiated on re chartering. Roland Spickermann, Nu '82, was elected H. S. P. of the Chapter; Troy Trenchard, Nu '82, served as H.J.P., and Tom Toller, Nu '82, as Province President. Jerry Naegele, Nu '82, was master of ceremonies at the chartering banquet. Bob Kutz, Nu '67, was appointed Grand Historian of Alpha Sigma Phi in 1982.
In 1983-84 the chapter instituted a newsletter, "The Notissima," edited by J. Michael Marriner. "The Notissima" won the fraternity's national Newsletter Award. Nineteen members were initiated during the year. Roger Hurwitz, Nu '82, served as H. S. P.; Timothy Howe, Nu '82, as H. J. P.; and Howard Solovei, Nu '82, as H. E. The Durant and Bowditch house was too small almost from the outset, and the landlord had intentions of utilizing the facility itself. The undergraduates and alumni corporation therefore engaged in a spirited search for a permanent home. A property on Haste Street was evaluated, but its capacity was too small to make purchase feasible. Shortly thereafter the possibility of purchase of the house at 2398 Piedmont came to light. The building was built between 1895 and 1899, and had been a sorority house in the 1920's. It was an apartment house with eleven units in 1983. A purchase for $348,000 was arranged for the eleven-unit apartment building. Cary Petzel, Nu '82, managed the facility during the Spring of 1984. During the Spring of 1984, initial remodeling, costing $75,000, was completed. The kitchen and dining area were ready and in use by September 1, 1984. Substantial funds for the renovation were arranged through Alpha Sigma Phi and through the generosity of Warren Hanna, Rho '18. In 1983-84, alumni in Southern California, led by Donald Durward, AZ '61, James Cordi, AZ '62, and Bob Kutz, Nu '67, obtained university and fraternity authorization to re-colonize Alpha Zeta Chapter. The effort was successful, and Alpha Zeta Chapter of Alpha Sigma Phi initiated many of the best men on the Westwood Campus in the following eight years. In 1984, Bob Kutz, Nu '67, was appointed Grand Province Chief for the Pacific Coast region chapters at Washington, Cal, Oregon State, and U.C.L.A.
In 1984-85, the chapter moved into the house purchased by the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association at Piedmont and Dwight Avenues, Berkeley. The house was converted from apartments by adding a kitchen, living room, and dining room on the ground floor. The chapter house accommodated up to forty-one undergraduates. Fourteen members were initiated during the year. Ken Dieker, Nu '83, served as H. S. P.; Richard Register as H. J. P. Significant fund raising to pay off a second mortgage, due February 1, 1985, was accomplished at the 1984 Founders' Day Banquet, Maitland McKenzie and Robert Kutz offered to match other contributions and $7,500.00 was pledged at the banquet. Corporation officers of California Alpha Sigma Phi Association at this time were President Milton Morrison, Nu '36; Vice President Garrett Riegg, Nu '66; Treasurer Cary Petzel, Nu '82; Secretary Mike McKinley, Nu '65; and board members John Rosenberg; Earle Brown, and Kevin Reidy.
In 1985-86 fourteen members were initiated. A deck, designed by Michael Marriner, Nu '82, and financed by alumni of the late 1950's and early 1960's was built on the front of the chapter house. Financial contributors to the deck project are commemorated in a plaque mounted on the South side of the deck. Richard Register, Nu '84, served as H. S. P., and Drew Gantt, Nu '85, as H. J. P.
In 1986-87 seven members were initiated. Drew Gantt, Nu '85, and Mike McClure, Nu '85, served as H. S. P.
In 1987-1988 Mike Mc Clure, Nu '85, was H.S.P. from through Spring 1988. Jeff Brehmer, Nu '85, served as cook, house manager, and H.E. Six brothers were initiated in the Fall of 1987, and six other men were pledged in the Fall term.
Chapter operations during the 1988-89 and 1989-90 school years were limited by low membership, at times inconsistent leadership, and not always successful efforts of the alumni and national fraternity to promote leadership development. Many elements of chapter operation ceased due to the limited number of members and the limited experience of members. A few students devoted substantial effort at times to prevent total eclipse of the chapter. Shahed Amanullah, Nu '87, served as A.S.U.C. Senator. Garrett Riegg, Nu '66 provided consistent effort, time, and resources to maintain the Corporation in a viable condition.
During the 1990-1991 year as few a four members of the chapter lived in the chapter house. In the Winter 1991 meeting, the Grand Council of Alpha Sigma Phi commenced proceedings to revoke the charter of the chapter. The chapter completed the year with improved leadership and evolving an improved sense of mission. The chapter also finished the year with a deficit of over $10,000.00 to the Corporation. Joseph Scampini, Nu '85, and Gary Heller, Nu '88, served as H.S.P. during the year. Kevin Mszanowski, Upsilon '79 (Penn State University), was appointed Grand Chapter Advisor.
The chapter returned for 1991-1992 with eight members under the leadership of H.S.P. Jess Silva. Daniel Sakai served as H. E. Seven men were pledged during fall rush, and one at mid term. The low number of men living in the chapter house continued to leave the chapter drained by rent expense. Joe Hunt, Nu '90, led a strong alumni relations program, and the pre-game party before the Cal vs. U.S.C. game was the largest in over twenty years. The Corporation at mid semester estimated a need for $12,000.00 over projected income to meet fixed expenses to year-end. The corporation also faced a large debt payment due in February, and an operation that could not, on a profit and loss statement, show itself credit worthy to potential lenders. Two men pledged in Spring 1992, and chapter operations improved as more experience was retained. Legal liabilities of the chapter were discharged, and some delinquencies in corporation operations reports brought current. Kevin Mszanowski, U '79, served as Grand Chapter Advisor.
The chapter officers for 1992-93 were H.S.P. Neal Colwell; H.J.P. Arvin Ascuncion; H.E. Daniel Sakai; H.S. Ali Mashrafi; H.C.S. Oren Levy; H.M. Jess Silva; H.S.C. Edward Perez; H.C. Rendell Torres; H.A.E. Arvin Ascuncion. Pledges during that term were Jaime Villasenor, Sean Kim, Russ Gonci, Analolio Ubalde, Esteban Silva, Chris Nguyen, Archie Hernandez, and Arthur Del Mundo. Chapter membership was between tewlve and twenty during the year. John Moisan succeeded Dan Sakai as H. E., and Steve Silva served as Rush Chairman. Five men were initiated at the end of the Fall Pledge term. The Greek system at Cal suffered several losses as both fraternity and sorority membership declined; the number of active sororities on campus reached a post World War I low of 13.
In Fall 1993, just over a dozen members returned to campus, and five men were pledged in the fall. Oren Levy served as H. S. P. in the Fall, and Chris Nguyen as H.S.P. in the Spring of 1994. I.F.C. Fall Rush drew only two hundred prospective pledges, and the chapter did not participate in an early Spring Semester Rush. Chapter operations continued to be limited by small membership and rent on an underfilled chapter house. Robert Riegg, Nu '58, was appointed Grand Chapter Advisor.
In Fall 1994, sixteen brothers returned to campus and pledged five men. I. F. C. Formal Rush again drew a small number of prospective pledges, and all of the Alpha Sigma Phi pledges were obtained through personal contacts outside of I.F.C. rush. Daniel Sakei served as H. S. P.
From 1995 through 1999, the chapter continued to survive with low membership, limited experience of those elected to leadership, and good fortune to seem to have just enough dedication from key members to keep the chapter from complete extinction. During one semester no undergraduate members lived in the chapter house. After suffering losses of $15,000 in rent revenues in two of three years, the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association engaged Bob Riegg, Nu '58, as executive officer. The former arrangement of the house corporation renting to the chapter, and the chapter renting rooms to members or non-member tenants was replaced by a direct landlord tenant relationship between the Corporation and each member or tenant. An outside financial management company was engaged to bill and collect rents and dues. Effects of these changes brought about some physical improvement in the condition of the house, a more reliable rent stream, and ability of the corporation to make needed repairs and improvements. Throughout the period, Oren Levy, Jm Yu, and Dan Sakai advised the chapter, the former two received the Delta Beta Xi, and all have also served on the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association board of directors. Garrett Riegg, Bob Kutz, and Mike McClure led the California Alpha Sigma Phi Association, with executive services from Robert Riegg.
However, undergraduate membership in the chapter remained at or below a dozen men, and the string of good fortune of having a few key men to keep the undergraduate organization running with was in danger of lapsing. A Fall H.S.P. with little knowledge or desire was succeeded by a brother who had left for study in Australia immediately after initiation. The sentiment in the house came to a point where it was viewed that the fraternal organization was a valueless obligation that had to be carried on to ensure that the alumni corporation would not sell out.
In what might otherwise have been a final spark of life, the chapter offered control of the chapter to a group of students at Bowles Hall who were unsure whether they would be able to continue to reside in University housing. While over thirty were initially interested, this group of about a score of men brought new life and leadership into the chapter. Membership grew to over twenty men for the first time in eight years. At present the membership is re-discovering and defining their programs and policies as a fraternity chapter.
R. W. Kutz, Nu '67, Grand Historian
Delta Beta Xi '81.
October 4, 1994, revised 2002.