A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDIANA BETA OF SIGMA PHI EPSILON 1931 to 1999
BY ROBERT D. ARNOLD, B.S. 1954; J.D. 1967
(Brother Arnold pledged Indiana Beta in the fall of 1950 and was initiated in February, 1951. Enrolled in the Business School at IU, he graduated with a B.S. degree in June of 1954. After a tour of duty in the U.S. Army, he worked in the insurance business before deciding in 1962 to pursue a law degree. He began at the IU School of Law in Indianapolis but in 1964 transferred to Bloomington where he received a Bachelor ofLaws degree with the class of1966. He was awarded a Doctor ofJurisprudence degree in 1967.
Beginning in 1959, he served Indiana Beta in many capacities including a long tenure on the Alumni Board. In 1968 he and three other brothers founded the Indiana Beta Educational Foundation which for thirty years has enabled Sig Ep Alums to contribute tax free to support educational opportunities at IU and Sigma Phi Epsilon. In 1993, he was named a Distinguished Alumnus.
After graduation from law school, he began a long association with what is now known as Anthem Insurance Companies, retiring in 1989 as Senior Vice President, General Legal Counsel, and Corporate Secretary. In retirement, Arnold began a second career as a writer and has published two books about Indiana University including a chronology of his four undergraduate years distributed to his classmates at their 40th reunion in June of1994 entitled ' Sentimental Journey that recalls the way we were -September, 1950 to June, 1954." In 1996 the Guild Press ofIndiana Published his ''Hoosier Autumn -The Remarkable Story ofIU's 1945 Championship FootballTeam."A screenplay of the book is being developed and both the Author and Indiana University are optimistic.
The year 1931 will be remembered by Americans as one of the most devastating years of the Twentieth Century. In the wake of the stock market crash in 1929, some two-thousand American banks had failed leaving millions of depositors without funds. One in five Americans could not find work. And the number one song was "Life is just a bowl of cherries." You betcha!
Meanwhile, deep in southeast Indiana, connected to Indianapolis by a state highway with more curves than Sharon Stone, was Indiana University, located in the small farming-limestone community of Bloomington, population 20,000 (including the school). The University had already begun to feel the effects of the nationwide economic slowdown as enrollment dropped and University capital spending dried up as the Indiana Legislature, the main funding arm of the University, saw it's revenue fall precipitously. Given the national economic trauma, it was not a propitious time to organize a fraternity on a college campus. But the national headquarters of Sigma Phi Epsilon saw an opportunity to expand its growing number of local chapters with the demise of Delta Phi Sigma, a local IU fraternity first organized in 1904 to include both men and women. Delta Phi Sigma began operations in 1928 but without national support, they were forced to surrender their charter in 1931.
Sigma Phi Epsilon thus began its first of sixty-one years of service and brotherhood at 700
E. 8th Street in September of 1931. Twenty five brothers constituted the membership including future distinguished alumni such as Brice Smith '33 of Ossian, Indiana and Dr. Walfred Nelson '34 of Gary. Both brothers continued to serve Indiana Beta for many years to come.
In November 1932, the Democratic party swept the fall elections from a Republican party tom apart by blame for the economic disaster. Although the change in leadership seemed to temporarily lift the nation's spirits, the business downcycle continued unabated with two hundred thousand Americans unemployed by the end of 1932. Likewise, Indiana University continued to suffer from lower enrollment and reduced legislative spending.
Despite the reduction in enrollment and competition from eighteen well establishedfraternities, Indiana Bet~ strived to continue its presence at IV.
But by1936, with the depression continuing, only twelve brothers remained active. Regrettably, ip.1937 a noble but untimely effort ended and Sigma Phi Epsilon surrendered its charter to the University.
Fast forward to Decemher 7, 1941 when the United States entered World War II following the Japanese bombing of our naval base at Pearl Harbor. By virtue of our wartime economy, the depression finally ended. As the drafting of young men into the armed forces became a reality, even the most financially secure fraternity had to scramble to keep their doors open between 1942 and the end of the war in August 1945.
But by Fall 3 enrollment in 1945, the vets, financed by the "G.I. Bill" began to flock back to IU and by 1947 enrollment had doubled to ten-thousand!
While that descended on Bloomington in 1947, dedicated Sig Eps from the 1930's, among them Dr. Maurice Felger of Ft. Wayne (Faculty Advisor in the 1930's , IU '28), Brice Smith and Dr. Nelson along with interested undergraduates commenced the process of returning Indiana Beta to campus after a sixteen year absence. It seemed an opportune time. Enrollment was obviously increasing and campus housing was in demand; and Sig Ep offered fraternity living without a residue of undergraduates and 4-Fs to harass the veterans.
Fall -1947:_ The Sig Eps are back at IV with the largest pledge class on campus, forty three in all, and with a total membership of sixty six good men! And as for their chapter house, they chose an older home at 714 East 8th Street, not far from the earlier chapter house. Brother Dick Garrett had the honor of being our first post-war President and once again, the Golden Heart Ball graced Alumni Hall that autumn of 1947. For the remainder of the decade, the men of Indiana Beta maintained their well earned recognition on campus by participating in all campus activities despite the inadequacy of the chapter house. Consider this -our house could uncomfortably house only thirty-five men. There were only three bathrooms in the entire complex and only one could accommodate more than two at a time. One contained a tub but woe to the man who attempted a bath. The shower facilities were in the basement furnace room and access to the basement meant risking exposure to guests in the living room. The dormitory? Upstairs in the attic with a sloped roof. But it was home, at least for the time being. Already, plans were underway for a new house.
Eventually, with crowded conditions in the chapter house, the brothers had only one option -lease another house to use as an annex. In fact, we leased two, one north on Park Street; the other further west on 8th Street. But regrettably, during this time that we were divided physically, brotherhood suffered. Nevertheless, the name Sig Ep became known on campus helped in no small part by our entry of a goat, "Nan Epso" in the Homecoming Queen contest one year. And there was our omnipresent campus dog appropriately named "Hey You."
In June of 1950 we lost a significant number of brothers by graduation, some of whom graduated into the Korean War. However, in the fall of 1950 membership continued to require two annexes. But significant socio-economic changes were occurring. The birth rate during the Depression had dropped dramatically thereby reducing the number of college age students in 1950. Secondly, many of the vets were gone leading to an easing of the housing shortage but at the same time increasing our old nemesis, competition from the older, more established houses. And finally our rush efforts began to lag hampered no doubt by our aging chapter house. The pledge class that fall amounted to only eighteen, and only four were freshmen. But could the brothers sing!
During the next four years, the house won two first place trophies, should have won a third, and in 1954, garnered an honorable mention. How many brothers from that era remember the multi-talented genius of Kent Newbury who did all our arrangements. Nonetheless, manpower was decreasing, and by 1953 all the brother and pledges fit into the old house. It was clearly a time for action or our return to campus would be short lived! Fortunately for Indiana Beta, our undergraduates and alumni came to the rescue through the sale of the old house and a successful bond drive orchestrated by the financial wizardry of Brother Fred Vorsanger, '51, later the Treasurer of the University of Arkansas. Our new home was to be on an extension of Jordan, north of Tenth Street.
By the fall of 1955 our brothers and pledges were housed at the old Sigma Nu house on Kirkwood while construction on the new chapter house continued on north Jordan.
On a bright but sultry Autumn day in October of 1956, the men of Indiana Beta proudly displayed their new home at a campus wide Open House which included many dignitaries, including IV President Wells. Eight Fifteen North Jordan became the new home of Indiana Beta and would continue to be so for the next forty-three years (and counting). Those who occupied the house found a large living room on the first floor along with a number of study rooms and an all purpose bathroom. The lower level featured a dining room and kitchen opening out on to a large patio for dancing. The second floor contained more study rooms with the top level serving as the dormitory. Total cost -onehundred and thirty thousand dollars. (A princely sum for 1956.) Capacity stood at fifty men. Welcome home brothers!
For the next five years, Sig Ep welcomed new neighbors on North Jordan as the extension became the home of numerous other fraternities and sororities. In the early years of the 1960's, the campus itself moved northeast and Jordan Street north of Tenth became THE place to live!
It was during this time period that a young Sig Ep from Drury University began a long career at IU. His name was Edson Sample and the Sample Gates on the west side of campus were donated by Ed in honor of his mother and father. During his tenure at Bloomington, Ed Sample did everything humanly possible to enhance the brotherhood of Indiana Beta. His many contributions during the 1964-65 renovation were invaluable. He was recently honored as a Distinguished Alum, the first ever not to have earned his undergraduate degree at IU.
By 1964, a gradual but meaningful change began to affect the campus culture. Protests against the US involvement in Vietnam occurred with more frequency with Dunn Meadow as the gathering point. The Beatles were the number one vocal group in the country. And Peter, Paul and Mary sang "Where have all the young men gone (gone to graveyards everywhere)." The rights of blacks and women became the focus of protesters anxious to right the indignities of yesterday. Men's hair got longer and folk music was everywhere. And so were students. The Baby Boom which began with the end of World War II was now reaching out to college campuses as those born in 1946 reached college age. With this increased enrollment, an opportunity arose for Indiana Beta to assure its continued role as a top fraternity on campus. An addition to our chapter house would soon become a reality!
The impetus for renovation came from a dedicated Alumni Board. Those that participated during this time included B.R. Davidson Jr. of Kokomo, IV class of 1942, lawyer, judge and professor at IV-Kokomo, initiated while in Law School following the war; Dr. Felger; Richard P. Mory '53, a campus leader and board member; and George Grigsby '50, educator, Board President, and life long friend of Indiana Beta. Not surprisingly, all were ultimately named Distinguished Alumni.
When the addition was completed (finally!) in October of 1965 Indiana Beta had a facility second to none even if the brothers and pledges had to live with the construction crew for six weeks. An addition on the first floor included an -immense formal living room supplemented by a TV room, a presidents room (with bath), a housemother's live in facility, and a library overlooking the campus to the west. More study rooms and baths encompassed the third level. Total capacity increased to eighty and the Sig Eps tradition for excellence continued. All of this for another one-hundred and fifty thousand dollars!
While the house reestablished itself from a manpower standpoint, a member of the pledge class of 1964 began a long and illustrious career with IV athletics. Initiated in 1964, Brother Doug Crusan started for Coach John Pont's football Hoosiers that fall and continued to star for IU until graduation in 1968. A mainstay of the IU forward wall, Doug earned All-American honors at tackle and played in the January 1, 1968 Rose Bowl. Later, he starred for the Miami Dolphins of the National Professional Football League which in 1972, became Super Bowl Champions and the NFL's last unbeaten team. He is a member of the ill Sports Hall of Fame, and currently resides in Indianapolis. Without question, Brother Crusan is Indiana Beta's greatest athlete.
Following a confrontation in 1968 between the Peace Activists and the Chicago Police at the Democratic convention, the opposition to the Vietnam War accelerated and the youth of America began a countercultural revolution against conformity and sacred traditions of yesteryear. College fraternities suffered from loss of manpower and loss of order and stability. Consequently, some of the long held attributes of fraternal living were lost. An excerpt from the 1971 ARBUTUS attempts to explain this phenomenon: "I am involved in mankind. I am mankind. Mankind is me. We are nothing more and nothing less that the sum of everything that has ever been and of everything that shall be."
It was during these years of unrest and uncivility that Brother Clark Byrum '57 of Anderson stepped forward and assumed the mantle of President of the Alumni Board. Over an extended period of years, Brother Byrum brought order and responsibility back to 815 North Jordan and pity the poor undergrad officer who failed to have his report ready when the Alumni Board met. Needless to say Byrum, a highly respected and prominent insurance executive in Indianapolis, was later named a Distinguished Alumnus.
As for the brothers, they did their job beginning with winning the 1970 Little 500 championship. In 1981, Sig Ep finished first in campus scholarship and won the university manpower award. In 1981, 1983, and 1985, they were awarded the National Chapter symbol of outstanding achievement, the Buchanan Cup, consistent rush programs, academic standards, manpower and leadership.
Throughout this decade, the brothers repeatedly finished in the top five in grades. Socially, they were one of the top frats, if not the best, thanks in part to their annual "kidnapping" of sorority presidents and later, housemothers, all in the name of charity! One of the brothers from this era, Phil Cox '84, has consistently, since graduation, been in the forefront of Sig Ep activities, including several terms as District Governor, participation on the Alumni Board, Foundation Board, and lastly, as Chapter counselor. His many contributions will be recognized in 1999 with his designation as a Distinguished Alumnus of Indiana Beta!
The beginning of the last decade of this century witnessed a drop in manpower at 815 North Jordan. Nothing serious, but troublesome none the less. Another extension of Jordan had opened up north of 17th Street and new houses were being build to the extent that 815 wasn't quite new enough to compete. The main problenl was our 35 year old house. Study rooms had not been maintained; our kitchen was out dated; and our amenities had not kept up with new houses (Read: Air Conditioning). For the third time since 1947, the men of Indiana Beta faced a monumental challenge. An addition must be planned and financed.
After an abortive attenlpt to finance remodeling through Alumni contributions, the Alunmi Board and interested alumni opted to mortgage the property in order to raise the necessary funds (estimated at $1.2 million!). In 1993, aided by alumni contributions, construction started on a massive remodeling of our chapter house to contain additional study rooms; renovation of the old ones; a computer room; a newly renovated kitchen; enlarged dormitory; and last but not least, air conditioning! None of this would have been doable without the insight and leadership of Brother Jerry Collins '79. As President of the Alumni Board at the time, he assumed control over the project and despite recalcitrant financial leaders and a biased member of the university staff who refused to permit the university to guaranty our first mortgage thereby costing the fraternity thousands of dollars in interest costs, Brother Collins and a dedicated group of alums and undergrads persevered.
Saturday, October 22, 1994. A glorious fall day as the IU campus prepared for Homecoming. The IU Fighting Hoosiers were scheduled to face off with the Northwestern Wildcats at Memorial Stadium later in the afternoon. But first there was another celebration taking place at 815 North Jordan. Under a tent of red and white on the chapter front yard, the Sig Eps prepared to welcome alums, undergraduates and campus dignitaries to the opening of their new chapter house, extensively remodeled at a cost of $1.3 million! 
Tours were ongoing after a ceremony under the tent in which Alumni Board President Collins presided and welcomed all in attendance; Brother Robert (Rob) Hanrahan, '76, a dedicated participant in the restoration effort was named a Distinguished Alumnus; as was Brother Dick Klass, '66 a successful real estate broker in South Florida. At approximately 11:40 a.m., the red ribbon adorning our front door was ceremoniously cut by Brother Collins.
When the sun set that bright October day, and all the guests had departed, the men of Sigma Phi Epsilon could proudly point to a major accomplishment in their over half a century of residence and brotherhood and Indiana University.
As the millennium nears and the 20th Century becomes part of our history, the brothers of the Golden Heart and red door look forward to even greater achievements in the 21st Century. In every aspect of fraternity life, they excel, be it scholarship, manpower, brotherhood or campus activities, Indiana Beta of Sigma Phi Epsilon stands at the threshold of continued success for many years ahead.
Robert D. Arnold St. Pete Beach, FL January 18, 1999