Lambda Sigma Chi History: Eta Mu Chapter

The following text was transcribed by Kelly Munson from pages found in a box of old Eta Mu Chapter documents by Gary Munson. The author of the document was not listed, nor at the time of transcription could one be identified. After being recreated electronically, the document was sent to John Beeson for his input. In general, he felt the unknown brother's description was, '...actually, very well done…at least it is well done considering my time there.' I have made updates based on John’s suggestions and noted them as best as possible. Aside from some grammatical changes, it remains as originally transcribed by my daughter. I'm sure there are other founders of our fraternity who may have their own recollections that differ from this version. If anyone feels they have a significant update and/or correction regarding our fraternity history, feel free to contact me to discuss possible updates. Otherwise, enjoy the history of Lambda Sigma Chi, 'Germanitas Et Hones.' In Hoc Signo Vinces, Gary Munson, Zeta Pledge Class

This is the history of Lambda Sigma Chi, specifically the Eta Mu Chapter. It’s more than just a story; it represents the culmination of efforts by a diverse group of men dedicated to founding and building a fraternity. The Fathers of this organization shared varied feelings but held common ideals. Since the founding of the fraternity, there has been an evolutionary process at play. What exists today is merely one stage in that ongoing evolution. Initially, Lambda Sigma Chi was simply a group of men with a vision. The fraternity began as an idea in the minds of several individuals, most notably Brother William L. Miller, Jr. During the Summer Quarter of 1969, Brother Miller was attending Eastern Illinois University with the intent of helping to establish a fraternity that would eventually become a chapter of Sigma Chi International Fraternity. To pursue this goal, he sought the counsel of a Sigma Chi, John R. Beeson, an alumnus of the Kappa Kappa Chapter at the University of Illinois, who had recently returned to Eastern Illinois University to complete his undergraduate studies after military service. With Mr. Beeson's guidance, Brother Miller started corresponding with the National Headquarters of Sigma Chi. By the time they received a response to their initial correspondence, the Summer Quarter had ended, and the Fall Quarter had commenced. Within weeks of the 1969-70 academic year, Brother Miller and others engaged in discussions about the responsibilities involved in founding a fraternity, one that would stand out on Eastern’s campus. To become Sigma Chi, a local fraternity needed to be established and operate independently. Little did these men realize the long and challenging journey that lay ahead. More discussions were held, informal yet conducted in utmost secrecy. After four weeks of intensive meetings, they understood that a selection process was necessary for all those interested in joining this fledgling group. It was decided that the officers, who had been serving temporarily, would act as the selection committee. Each candidate aspiring to be a Founding Father underwent rigorous scrutiny from the Executive Board, answering challenging and thought-provoking questions such as: “What is Brotherhood?” and “What is a Fraternity?” After each candidate had been evaluated by the Executive Board, a vote was taken. The most critical factors considered were character, contributions to the fraternity, and whether they were worthy of being called a “Founding Father.” After tallying the votes, these men were designated as the Founding Fathers of Lambda Sigma Chi: Raymond Amadei Waukegan, Ken Aubens Morton Grove, Mark Beemer Washington, John Beeson Paris, Dick Berry Taylorville, Ron Bimslager Wood River, Doug Caldwell Vandalia, Nick Cooley Mt. Vernon, Doug Dyher Springfield, Randy England Mt. Zion, Don Garmon Hoopeston, Vern Gay East St. Louis, Kevin Green Fithian, Phillip Groebe Lockport, Bob Jones Corssville, Jerry Mascitti Chicago Heights, Chuck Maris Rochelle, Ray Martin Macon, Bill Miller Peoria, Brian Moore Downers Grove, Dennis Roberts Villa Park, Greg Schneider Elgin, Phillip Shelton Mt. Zion, Tom Smith Polo, Lynn Turner Peoria, and Paul Ward Deerfield.

On November 17, 1969, these 26 men met in the Altgeld Room of the University Union, marking a significant moment in the fraternity history of the Eta Mu Chapter of Lambda Sigma Chi. It was the first closed meeting of Lambda Sigma Chi, where only those who had passed the Executive Board were admitted; they were the Founding Fathers. From this point on, many paths were taken. A constitution, started before the Founding Date, was near completion, and new officers were nominated for election the following week. There were plans made to design a crest, take a pledge class, and above all, choose a name. The Founders knew they had to organize and work hard for all of these goals. A week later, the new officers were elected: Consul: Ray Amadei, Pro Consul: Tom Smith, Quaestor: Paul Ward, Annotator: Chuck Maris. At the same meeting, the completed constitution was presented, revised, and in the ensuing weeks, ratified. It was the work of Brothers Phil Groebe, Doug Caldwell, and Doug Dyher. Lambda Sigma Chi became our name and “Germanitas et Hones” our motto. Meanwhile, Brother Ray Amadei, Bill Miller, and Brian Moore were designing a crest for the Fraternity. Utilizing a volume on heraldic art, the symbols of the Fraternity were incorporated into the crest. The first design was far too complicated, and its meanings made our ideas too obscure. Within a few days, a new design was proposed, and the Fraternity had its crest. The Fall Quarter of 1969 drew rapidly to a close, and the Fathers of Lambda Sigma Chi turned from the building of a Fraternity to the building of grades. Following the Thanksgiving break, much was still ahead of them. Their petition to the EIU Interfraternity Council for colony status outweighed most other problems. Lambda Sigma Chi’s petition was complicated by several conditions of the period. The previous spring, the IFC had accepted an organization as a Greek Colony, but the organization failed to live up to the expectations of IFC. Furthermore, many of the Greek houses were suffering from financial difficulties, leading to doubt among many of them as to whether EIU could support another Greek house. Following many meetings with university officials and IFC and Lambda Sig officers, the Fraternity received its colony status. Thereafter, until the Fraternity’s acceptance as a full member of the IFC in the spring, the Lambda Sigma Chi Fraternity followed a treacherous neutral path in Greek politics at Eastern. For the first time, during the Winter Quarter of 1969-70, Lambda Sigma Chi was to take its first pledge class. This in itself posed a problem for the Fraternity. Each active knew that the pledges were the lifeblood of any Greek house, but none of them had ever organized a smoker before. In addition, the Fraternity did not have its own house in which to hold the smoker. However, true to the Fraternity’s new image, the Lambda Sigs pulled off a first. Under the guidance of student advisor John Beeson, and the chairmanship of Brother Mark Beemer, the Fraternity’s first smoker was held at the Alpha Gamma Delta sorority house. Following the Fraternity’s first smoker came its first hash session, and a week later, its first Formal Pledge Night.

The first pledge class of the Lambda Sigma Chi fraternity, known as the Eta Mu Chapter, was designated as the "Alpha Class." On that first Formal Pledge Night, each Founding Father earned respect and embraced the responsibility of being viewed with trust. Under the guidance of Magister Richard Berry, the Alpha Class included members such as Bruce Bennyhoff from Vandalia, Greg Bennett from Findlay, Tom Cooling from Peoria, Bill Ettinger from Taylorville, James Getz from Findlay, Russell Guimond from Manteno, Ron Hagenow from Manteno, Jim Jefford from Decatur, Cliff Kaltinger from Elmhurst, John Kennedy from Pana, Tom Long from Manteno, Steve Parsons from Gibson City, Jim Stewart from Springfield, and Marc Utterbach from Gibson City. In other aspects of fraternity history, efforts toward Sigma Chi were well underway. Following the Founding Date, much correspondence occurred, and during the Christmas break of 1969, many brothers visited Sigma Chi Headquarters in Evanston, Illinois. The fraternity actively participated in intramural athletics, engaging in volleyball, basketball, riflery, tennis, and track. Participation extended beyond sports, as many brothers contributed their time to dormitory government, the University Council for the United Nations, and the University Radio Station, among other activities. As the Spring Quarter of 1970 began, the fraternity set new goals while reaffirming old ones, focusing on making themselves known. It was during this time that Lambda Sigma Chi, as part of its public service project, took on the Old Fellows Home in Matton, where pledges and brothers washed windows, tidied the grounds, and brought joy to the residents. From a Sigma Chi perspective, the fraternity welcomed its first visit from Mr. Edward King, Praetor of the Illinois Province of Sigma Chi, followed by a visit from Fred Yoder of Sigma Chi’s national headquarters later that quarter. However, the fraternity faced challenges, as it seemed to lack a unique identity within its Greek heritage. The response to this was the Fraternity Initiation, which involved extensive work, revisions, and practice, culminating in the First Initiation. Although the exact date is less important, the significant outcome was the transformation it brought to the Brotherhood, as each man engaged in profound self-examination and embraced his responsibilities. This process fostered a shared identity and newfound strength, propelling the Founding Fathers and the fraternity toward their goals. Shortly after, the Eta Mu Chapter participated in the annual EIU Greek Week activities, achieving a respectable fifth place in the overall competition, with a notable fourth place in the Tug-Of-War. Excitingly, the First Annual Sweetheart Formal took place at the Kaskaskia Country Club, where brothers, pledges, their guests, and the fraternity’s advisors gathered, including Eastern Illinois University President Quincy Doudna and his wife. The highlight of the evening was the announcement and crowning of the first Sweetheart, Miss Pam Vannoy. After a year of hard work, Lambda Sigma Chi had truly arrived. As Spring Quarter 1970 came to a close, the men of Lambda Sigma Chi prepared for their second year of operation, electing new officers who would lead for the 1970-71 year: Consul Jim Stewart, Pro Consul Dick Berry, Quaestor Tom Long, Annotator Russ Guimond, and Magister Jim Getz. During the summer months, the Lambda Sigs remained active, holding monthly meetings to discuss progress toward their goal of becoming a Sigma Chi Chapter, alongside other important business. The local chapter was fortunate to attend Sigma Chi’s Leadership Training Workshop at Ball State University, represented by Tom Long, Jim Getz, Russ Guimond, and Jim Stewart. As the second year of Lambda Sigma Chi began, the brothers faced the new challenge of moving into a fraternity house. After ten days of hard work, they transformed a basic house into a home for the brotherhood, instilling pride and accomplishment in every member. During this time, Alice Lockwood became a significant figure in the history of Lambda Sigma Chi as the housemother. Her presence brought warmth and home-cooked meals, creating a friendly atmosphere for the brothers. Having a house solidified Lambda Sigma Chi's position in the Greek community at EIU. The fraternity's first weeks in their new home were marked by playful water fights and T.P. raids, as the sororities discovered the lively environment of Lambda Sigma Chi.

There was no time for rest as the brothers of Lambda Sigma Chi continued their work towards establishing the Eta Mu Chapter of Sigma Chi. Plans were made to visit each of the Sigma Chi chapters in Illinois, and area Sigma Chi alums were notified of Lambda Sigma Chi's intentions. The big push had begun. Plans for the first annual Derby Days were made, with the week of October 24th through 31st designated as "Derby Days." The six sororities on Eastern’s campus participated with great spirit and enthusiasm. The week was filled with excitement; the sight of derbies (of course) and the sounds of sororities—each one trying to outdo the other for spirit. To say the least, Derby Days was a tremendous success, marking a crucial step for Lambda Sigma Chi in their fraternity history. As the Fall Quarter drew to a close, it was evident that it had been a pivotal quarter for the young fraternity. Lambda Sigma Chi was growing stronger in spirit every day, with a focus on maintaining the ideals of the fraternity being more important now than ever. As the fraternity entered the Winter Quarter of 1970-71, they faced the challenge of a new rush program on Eastern’s campus, moving away from the old, formal system in favor of the open rush system. This allowed for continuous recruitment throughout the year, and Lambda Sigma Chi welcomed 11 responsible pledges. The Winter Quarter proved to be busy for Lambda Sigma Chi, as the brothers achieved high scholastic standing by finishing first in grades among fraternities for the second consecutive quarter. Lambda Sigma Chi also exceeded the all men’s average, continuing a streak since their founding. In February, the brothers hosted their first annual “Dads’ Day,” allowing them to showcase what the fraternity was truly about. With the arrival of Spring Quarter, activities multiplied, including the second annual Sweetheart Formal held at the Holiday Inn in Effingham, where Miss Donna Verkler was crowned the new Sweetheart. Additionally, Lambda Sigma Chi participated in Greek Games for the first time, earning two scholarship trophies: one for Brother Russ Guimond for the highest grade point over the past three quarters and another for first place among all fraternities on campus. Later that evening, on April 25, 1971, Mr. Fred Yoder brought news that the Executive Committee of Sigma Chi had voted to permit Lambda Sigma Chi to petition for membership. After favorable evaluations, elections were held, resulting in: Consul: Tom Long, Pro Consul: Jim Getz, Quaestor: Russ Guimond, Annotator: Ron Hagenow, and Magister: Jim Stewart. Throughout the summer, Lambda Sigma Chi continued to pursue Sigma Chi, preparing a petitioning booklet sent to all active and alumni chapters of Sigma Chi International Fraternity. The goal the founders set just over a year ago was becoming a reality. They were invited to Sigma Chi’s Leadership Training Workshop in DeKalb, Illinois at N.I.U., represented by Tom Long, Jim Getz, Russ Guimond, Ron Hagenow, and Ken Aubens. The Fall Quarter was destined to be eventful for the brothers, who fully participated in all intramurals, placing third in the fraternity division by the end of the quarter. Fall Quarter also featured the second annual Derby Days held in late September, where, despite bad weather, Lambda Sigma Chi successfully hosted another enjoyable week. The greatest news for Lambda Sigma Chi arrived on October 31, 1971, when active and alumni chapters of Sigma Chi voted nearly unanimously to allow Lambda Sigma Chi to become the 157th active undergraduate chapter of Sigma Chi. The brothers celebrated this momentous occasion. On November 3, 1971, the men of Lambda Sigma Chi officially became pledge brothers of Sigma Chi. During this period, the pledge brothers diligently studied the necessary material to pass the Sigma Chi test for eligibility in the fraternity. The week of December 4th to 11th was designated as “Indoctrination Week,” where each brother grew together through shared experiences and discussions leading up to Initiation. December 11, 1971, is a night that every member of Lambda Sigma Chi will remember, as they received Eta Mu’s charter to officially become Sigma Chi’s 157th active undergraduate chapter and the fifth member of the Illinois Province. What began as a dream for 26 men transformed into a reality for the 58 charter members. This is not the end; it is merely the beginning of the rich history of the Eta Mu Chapter.