Acacia Triagram - June 1940

THE

TRIAGRAM

A Message of Friendship, Fellowship and Service Extended in the Interests of Fraternity as Perpetuated in the Ideals of Acacia.

JUNE

1940

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A Group of Boys The American college fraternity has brought to the campus a shrine. It has provided homes for literally hundreds of thousands of boys away from home. It is a highly significant thing to have boys in college bowing at the altar of their fraternity. The fundamental idealism about which these groups pivot is common to all of us.

One of the finest things that comes into the life of an undergraduate is that experience when, with his fellows, friends of his own choice and their choice, he kneels before that altar, and gives not only an intellectual assent but pours out his very heart around an ideal that has developed in the experience of the race, and has been so beautifully expressed that it has not only personal significance but the utmost social significance.

After all, a fraternity, first, last and always, is a group of boys somewhere, perhaps around a hearth, or around their shrine in the fraternity home-a group of boys who like to be together and who are enjoying each other's fellowship, and who, more by the example of the older men than by the preception laid down by the fraternity, are coming into an increasing appreciation of each other and, through that, appreciation of people outside of the fraternity.

That is the fraternity-all the time remembering that a fraternity is a group of boys; and as long as that little group exists and flourishes, unselfish helpfulness, devotion, loyalty, good will, education and morale will be advanced, and a significant contribution to our American life will be made.

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For what men love in youth is promise and expectation of what is to be fulfilled.

DR. HENRY NOBLE MAcCRACKEN

THE ACACIA FRATERNITY Presenting a summary of the standards and privileges in the Acacia fraternity to the prospective college man who may be interested in the opportunity projected in this fraternity's objectives, with a view to better acquaint him with their certain desirable features, and intended to meet also the need of friendly help in the event of looking forward to a most pleasant, useful and outstanding choice.

The Name "Acacia" The Acacia fraternity is not a socalled "Greek-letter" fraternity. The word "Acacia" was adopted in preference to the characteristic Greek letters which are so often confusing and rather meaningless besides being now so common that no particular distinction is attached to their use. Many business and non-university organizations now use certain combinations of Greek letters to name their organizations. But Acacia is a name that is easily remembered, is euphonious, and its sets this fraternity apart from the numerous "Greek-letter" organizations.

There is an occasional necessity to explain to outsiders that Acacia is a college fraternity. The word Acacia is used to denote other things than the fraternity. Botanically, there are more than four hundred and fifty varieties of Acacia. The Acacia plant will grow and flourish where other plants die off for lack of water and nourishment.

This is the symbol in which, as members of Acacia, individually and collectively, is reflected the purpose of our fraternity's existence. Our lives and work should help to create a pleasant oasis in the desert of selfishness and materialism.

Masonically, Acacia has a significance of immortality. There is nothing in such interpretations which would not seem entirely proper for our fraternity. It is possible that in certain quarters the claim is still being advanced that Acacia is Masonic, that its members are not a congenial group for young initiates, that we no longer have the right to use the name Acacia, since

we are no longer a group of Masons.

False arguments or unfair tactics can be used under any name.

The Masonic background of Acacia is one of its strongest assets. Until 1931 the membership was restricted to Masons. Since then, the membership requirements have been altered to admit Masons, sons of Masons, and any person recommended by two Masons.

Thus Acacia is, in college and fraternity circles, known as a general college fraternity whose membership is limited to those of the Protestant religious faith.

The traditions of a fraternity are an integral and substantial part of it.

The present fraternity (Acacia) is a legitimate and worthy successor (even if not entirely the same) of the Acacia fraternity founded in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1904. It is tied in with Masonry, and the average Protestant home, whether Masonic or not, has a great respect for Masonic institutions and ideals. It upheld Masonic principles before student bodies and by quiet example accomplished a great deal toward removing prejudices against the fraternity system. It assumed a moral leadership and has raised fraternity standards all over the nation.

We should not want the Masonic ideals and traditions to disappear entirely from the campuses of our universities.

There is a strong sentimental attachment to our name. Rather wide observation leads to the belief that our alumni have a much greater interest in their fraternity than have the alumni of many Greek-letter fraternities. Our leadership is experienced, conservative and sound. We have built up a very

substantial national prestige under the name Acacia. Our name is distinctive.

Spirit o J Fraternity Since we were first founded, or at this time in our evolution, we have gained and achieved a secure place among the best social fraternities of this country. Yet, to build higher upon that foundation that we have laid, which constitutes the very reason for our being, and to utilize in a greater way the position that we have gained, we shall not rest content even in the face of this much progress merely to justify the continuance of our fraternity. But we will continue to emphasize certain important ideals.

Through all the different changes that have made us what we are today, the thing is to still emphasize more frequently, more inspirationally, those things for which the charter members first founded Acacia-fellowship and comradeship among university-men.

That fellowship, that comradeship and that friendship that is formed in the chapter-house and among Acacia men from year to year is, after all, the essential part of this fraternity. Members are immeasurably enriched by giving much time to the ideals and concepts of Acacia. With our new membership of young men, each year, we shall always find inspiration in this exalted background.

Social-Educational 0 pportunity People of any age develop best in a congenial, stimulating atmosphere, and this is especially true of young men in their late 'teens and early twenties.

The Acacia chapter, with its 20 or 25 to perhaps as many as 45 or 50 care-

So lofty is our idea of the mind of our fellowman that we cannot bear his disdain, nor e.xist without his esteem. In such esteem consists the whole felicity of mankind. For whatever good things he may call his own, whatever sufficiency of health and gear may be his, he remains dissatisfied if he lack the esteem of his fellows.

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fully chosen men, supplies this environment. It has been our experience that the man who has had the opportunity to consider his fraternity preference before the activities of rush week actually began, usually makes a better choice.

Acacia is a training school in the finest citizenship. As a part of its work it is the training school in manners, in urbanity-the dramatization of good will. Acacia is a non-profit-bearing organization. It was created for, and continues to function completely for the benefit of its membership. The problems of each Acacia chapter are the problems of every chapter, for Acacia is a true brotherhood that recognizes no state boundary.

Our fraternity does not depend upon sentiment alone to hold its members ; their loyalty is also based upon honorable pride, an urge to stand higher in scholarship, conduct, proper management, and in social and moral relations, in order that the group may be held in highest esteem by the college authorities.

To graduate men with scholarly habits and gentlemenly instincts is the common aim of both college and Acacia fraternity. The standard of the college is a certain proof of intellectual accomplishment, and the standard of Acacia is a certain proof of good breeding.

Our national officers recognize the fact that good scholarship indicates a sound chapter, in all other respects in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred.

Scholastic achievement makes for the development of a more solid group.

Scholarship has always been stressed in Acacia. Almost without exception since the Fraternity was founded Acacia has had the highest scholastic standing of any national

social fraternity. Surveys by the Fraternity show that Acacia graduates more men in proportion to its membership than does any other social fraternity.

No pledge may be initiated unless he attains better than average grades.

In addition, most chapters provide tutors, usually members of Acacia who are graduate students and who live in the chapter house, whose duty it is to aid those who are not attaining suitable grades.

Acacians are proud of good scholastic records, by which they best prove themselves worthy to wear the rightangled triangle. It is the goal of every Acacia chapter to win first place each year. One of our chapters has the wonderful record of having done that twenty consecutive times, and the records of many other chapters are almost as good.

Those who in high or preparatory school have excelled in athletics, debate, journalism, music or drama, generally need no urging to participate in these activities in college; others are likely to be diffident because of their lack of experience and skill. They are afraid of failure. Acacia chapters encourage their members to enter such activities. Even a man who has entered a competition and lost has the satisfaction of knowing that his chapter appreciates the effort he made.

Chapter teams of all kinds, particularly in large universities, are the mainstay of intramural programs. Intramural athletics find an ideal setup among the fraternities. Acacia desires that members exercise some control in these intramural activities.

Educational programs grow and develop out of human aspirations and social needs. We often forget that education is a continuing process which extends far beyond college halls. Students often fail to take advantage of the varied opportunities that are available to them while in college.

You should develop in college those social ilistincts that will enable you to find satisfaction in the companionship of others. This is the enrichment of life through social intercourse. There is no place in the world where you will find such large opportunity to develop unselfish interest in others as in college, and you should take advantage of it.

It is the tendency of most men who have won success or fame to discredit the importance of outside influences upon their lives.

It would be a wonderful thing if youth could think of life in terms of the after years-those years that lie ten, twenty and thirty years beyond today-for what we do with our lives

in the earlier years will largely determine the measure of success, enjoyment and satisfaction that we shall reap in the future.

Member•hip BenefiU Acacia is a leader in all branches of fraternity activity as has been recognized by many leaders in the college fraternity world.

Being a university fraternity is a distinction which Acacia alone can claim. All of the chapters are located at the larger and better universities and schools. The distribution of the chapters is national rather than sectional. It has always been a desideratum in Acacia to quality rather than quantity in chapters.

More faculty members than any other fraternity is the record of Acacia on all campuses where the Fraternity has chapters. This is one of the reasons why Acacia is able to maintain the highest scholastic standing of all unlimited social fraternities. Members are able to secure the best counsel and advice from men of experience who are sympathetic and who have a personal interest in the members of their own Fraternity.

Personal problems in college are numerous. Acacia chapters close the gap caused by the breaking of family ties and supplement the advice in letters from home by first-hand contact and help. In each chapter, upperclassmen have solved most of the problems facing freshmen. They are available for help with difficult studies, with friendly suggestions or advice.

The big brother pattern is one of very greatest importance in the personal relationships of Acacians. The "big brother" is one to whom the maturing youth can go with his confidences and his problems without fearing the scolding of the father or teacher, or the scorn or ridicule of the stranger. And he is one who does not look down with impatience or derision from his position of scant seniority.

He is close enough in age to remember and understand, near enough in bonds or blood to feel a responsible interest, and great enough of heart to want to share whatever he has that will be useful. It is one of the finest relationships in all nature.

All Acacians are vitally interested in the welfare of their fraternity. All have the same desire to preserve its high ideals. In order to function as a living force for good, Acacia is quite aware that it has a real responsibility to its members, and therefore it spares no effort toward developing its principles and ideals within the chapters and memberships. The Acacian finds

within the selective circle of the fraternity, a band of brothers united to uplift one another. Personal appearance, social etiquette, unselfish helpfulness, congenial companionship and the joys of physical, mental and m~ral education inspire the Acacian to aim for the highest ideals in education in service, and in the pursuit of happiness.

Campus Homes The chapter houses of Acacia in . to the number of chapters ' proportion are exceeded in value by few fraterni~ ties. Most of the chapters own their houses and it is a source of satisfaction to the members of the chapter to know that they and their predecessors have been foresighted and thrifty enough to purchase and own the home of the chapter. As a result many young men get splendid training, under the supervision of the Acacia alumni and chapter advisor, in the matter of budget and finance.

The Acacia fraternity house should be the one place on the c~mpus where every Acacian may feel himself nearest to the realization of the fine hopes with which all of us approach life.

While you are in college the fraternity house is your home.

In most of our Acacia chapter houses the manner of living is probably as close to an ideal home atmosphere as one might wish under the usual circumstances connected with attendance at college; and every Acacian should feel willing to abide by the rules which apply to these living arrangements during the time he resides in his fraternity home. As he enjoys these wonderful privileges his appreciation will show itself by the interest he takes in the home's upkeep, and he will render wholehearted support to all those things which will make it a real college home.

Acacia is rendering a valuable service to the undergraduate and to the college by furnishing living quarters where the discipline and tradition of the group take the place of the former parental restrictions. To maintain the reputation and standing of the chapter on its campus by insistence on gentlemanly behavior is a matter of pride and a guarantee of self-preservation.

Both the pride 'in its good name and the selfish interest of the fraternity leads it to do its best to keep members in college and in good standing.

Strength in National Scope A national fraternity, such as Acacia, stands for and means friendship.

The fraternity is the first lesson that you get in altruistic friendship; in doing something for each other, in doing something without any thought of

return. There is nothing in life whether you become a banker or ~ broker or a butcher, that will be more valuable to you, that will bring vou ~ore lasting satisfaction. Friendship IS one of the few things in life that lasts. Those of you who have been old enough to see what happened during the depression don't need to be told that the things you can grasp with your hands are here today and gone tomorrow. But, friendship is the thing that stays, in some intangible way.

The national fraternity system of the country, !n which Acacia is well represented, IS the finest experiment in friendship that we know of in this country.

A national fraternity (and Acacia is a national fraternity) gives you other material advantages. It gives you supervision. It re-enforces the help that alumni give. It gives guidance. It gives encouragement. It gives you the benefit of the experience of a great many chapters. Many a chapter has been saved becaus~ a new point of view was brought to it.

When a chapter experiences difficulties the national comes to it rescue.

You have not only the force of your own organization, not only the alumni of your own chapter, you have the force of a national organisation, scattered from one end of the country to the other, with alumni of other chapters who are interested, interested enough to supply the money and the means to help you to go on, because they are unwilling that one of their chapters should die.

Don't imagine for a moment that your national fraternity affiliation is limited to men of your own chapter, or even to the men of Acacia.

One of the dangers in life is to become so absorbed in one's own local organization, fraternity or business that one becomes provincial. Association with men from other colleges and other chapters bringing, as it usually does, the discovery that things are often being done as well in other places as by one's own organization, is an education in itself.

Many men speak of a college in terms of its fraternities. If they don't know where a college is or what it is, their first question will be: What fraternities are there? You mention Acacia and several other strong national fraternities, the reply comes back to you every time: It must be a pretty good institution, or it couldn't attract those national fraternities. They must have a pretty good type of men, or those fraternities wouldn't be there.

That is superficial, of course, but it means that national fraternities, in the

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= Social d evel op ment comes from securing results through the coop erat ion of ot h er s w ith a m inimum of fr iction. Co-operation was the first social lesson. As members of a community coming into contact with other human beings we have to have social development. Development of good citizenship is the major objective in creating social mindedness within the frat ernity.

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eye of the college world, have over a century stood for something that is definitely attractive to men, that appeals to their judgment, and that the ability to share in that is a good thing for the undergraduate.

You will find after you are graduated that every time you meet a college man, your first words will be: What fraternity did you belong to? If he names a fraternity that was represented on your campus, you at once warm up; you are interested in him not because he belonged to your fra~ ternity, but because he belonged to a fraternity. The extension of that idea simply means this: It gives you an easier contact with a million men all over the country, and it will be the source of some of your most delightful acquaintances and friendships through your entire life.

Another remarkable testimonial of the national fraternity is the number of institutions which speak -of their national fraternities with pride and as if it were a certificate of respectability. One of them says: "If we can get one or two more strong national fraternities on our campus, we shall feel that we have a happy solution of our social problem."

Most college officials feel that many national fraternities (including Acacia) are making a definite contribution to American college life. From the standpoint of the college, Acacia and several national fraternities are doing a great deal to make college life more wholesome and satisfactory. The scope of such national organizations extends in those directions by which social advance develops. And finall y, Acacia's strength, or any national fraternity's

Ma;n lives with his feUows. They shape his destiny almost as much as does the earth itself, though in a differenl way. He accomplishes little without their frie'tldl1/ aid. He cannot think through ma;ny problems without their hints.

He grows strong on the meat of the experience of his elders. Hence he must understand human nature and aU the arts of managing it."

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Walter B. Pitkin

strength, is based in fact on the widest influence possible in promoting, nationally, its principles and obligations to society; at the same time co-operating with colleges and universities, while their faculties and sponsors concede that it has a social value and a salutary effect on the lives of the members.

Acacia alumni interest is as keen, if not more so, than that of any other social fraternity. Every chapter has an alumni chapter, the members of which have the right to vote on matters passed upon by the Conclave. There are alumni associations in all of the principal cities where Acacia men meet, usually every week at luncheons, and at least once each month at evening meetings. These organizations serve to strengthen the bonds of fellowship and are. particularly helpful to Acacians who have occasion to travel about or who move into strange and new localities. Such men are always assured of a hearty welcome in a new community.

Management and Promotion The government of Acacia is vested in the National Conclave and the N ationa! Council. The National Conclave is composed of the National Officers and two delegates from each chapter, one of whom shall be the chapter advisor and the other the venerable dean. The National Conclave is the supreme legislative body of the fraternity, subject only to the referendum vote of the chapters upon constitutional questions. Each delegate is entitled to one vote. The chapter advisor is elected at a joint meeting of the active chapter and the alumni and his election is subject to the approval of the National Council. It is his duty to supervise the activities of the chapter and he is the direct representative of the National Council. The Conclaves convene biennially, usually early in September, at points designated by the National Council. The National Officers, i. e., president, counsellor, secretary, treasurer, and editor comprise the National Council, which is the supreme executive and judicial body of the fraternity.

Acacia's local chapter government is vested in the members of the active chapter. Each chapter has the aid and

advice of an alumnus who is a member of Acacia, usually a member of the faculty or a local business man, the chapter advisor. The advisor usually meets with the chapter each week and discusses plans and policies with the members. Although they have no specific authority and act in purely an advisory capacity, they are able to guide the chapters on a wise course over routes which have been laid out beforehand.

House management and ownership is usually vested in a group of alumni who are members of the board of directors of a house corporation which holds title to the real estate. Funds are collected from the alumni for the payment of any indebtedness or for the accumulation of funds for repairs, purchase of furniture and equipment, etc.

The active chapter pays rent to the corporation which in turn applies the proceeds of that income to the payment of taxes, interest and other expenses.

Acacia is a charter member of the Interfraternity Conference which is an organization comprised of most of the conference and meets annually to discuss the problems and promote the welfare of all fraternities.

The official publication of the Acacia Fraternity, issued four times during the school year and once during the summer months, is the TRIAD. It is devoted to the dissemination of general news of the Fraternity and its members and to upholding of the high ideals and purposes of the organization. The subscription price is $1 per year or $15 for a life or endowment subscription.

Freedom With Responsibility Democracy of its members toward outsiders is one of Acacia's finest traditions. The time and effort spent on the publications of the Fraternity and in the training of pledges has proven justifiable.

Acacia teaches a member his obligations as a social being to his fellows, for "no man liveth unto himself."

True loyalty to Acacia will cost the follower a great deal. It will cost him tolerance that he may appreciate the good that is in others and forbearance in obvious flaws that need to be rem-

edied. It will cost him exertion in order to achieve his very best, for it takes each one's best to advance properly the welfare of the group.

There are imperfections in all fraternity chapters. One of the first things a pledge learns about a college fraternity is that in the true sense of the word it is an ideal and not a fact.

Fraternity men, being human, are subject to all the errors of ordinary mortals, and fraternity chapters are not blissful examples of human brotherhood, nor are fraternity members exact counterparts of the perfect fraternities of history and legend.

A fraternity cannot be created; it must grow. The fraternity's growth is fostered, as is all growth, by striving, and struggling, and reaching; by doing and not by formal learning. The fraternity is not an academic concept, the child of man's brain; it is a living force, the offspring of man's spirit.

There is no substitute for the college fraternity as a character-building agency that at the same time will build friendships which endure throughout life. There is no agency that can as effectually give a young man the social training that is as essential for his success as his classroom activity. There is left in campus life no spiritual agency that comes as close to youth.

Acacia, like all college social fraternities, purposes to give its members that intimate, beneficent fellowship with good men, so necessary to their full development, and to supplement their cultural and professional education and training in those qualifications for citizenship and leadership which are not definitely or directly part of the university function.

The first few months on the college campus, inside as well as outside the classrooms, are probably the most important in your whole college life. In that time the new man not only establishes, to a large extent, his relations with classmates and others, but also unconsciously lays out the course of action he will follow all the way.

Every new association requires some modification and adjustments.

The newcomer is trying to become established; and perhaps destined to travel in the glorious path of that worthy example and great seeker of

Most of man's achievements have been made because he realizes he is mortal. He knows he is here for only a short time and must make the most of it. It leads him to explore, fight for success, compete with his fellows and build something -1,f only a home or a good name among his neighbors-so that he shall be remembe1¡ed with approval after he is dead.

Albert Edward Wiggam

truth, Pythagoras-the "student from Samos," is likely to be somewhat "at sea" during the early days of pledgeship. He may be a little confused as to his status. Before initiation Pythagoras is not in a position to fully appreciate the significance or the importance of Acacia ideals. Some candidates may know instinctively what the relations and obligations are that they owe the fraternity and the fraternity owes them, but others know only little of the common obligations.

Pythagoras is entitled to certain specific rights. He has a right to expect a wholesome atmosphere in the chapter house. It is his right and privilege to make known his wants and desires, and to offer constructive suggestions and recommendations. Pythagoras has a right to expect a brotherly attitude and brotherly treatment from his associates.

Pledge chores have been a long-established custom in well-regulated fraternities. Such tasks, carried out in the form of discipline, are not only to impress Pythagoras with the principle of sacrificing for the group, but to thoroughly inculcate the co-operative spirit Acacia so determinedly wishes to promote. No matter how he was pampered at home, once he has accepted the opportunity for "human service" he owes something to his brethren. The code of the chapter attempts to provide for and correct any mistaken notions novitiates are apt to have concerning chapter, social and college relationships.

When Pythagoras accepts the offer of membership he obligates himself to regard Acacia with a spirit of sincerity and respect, and to give its teachings his honest consideration. Pythagoras agrees at all times to support the interests of Acacia, and is pledged to stand by Acacia on general principles. Among other obligations that are assumed when accepting membership is the responsibility of acting for the best interests and traditions of the college or university along with cultivating good will on the campus. At college Pythagoras will prove himself more worthy of wearing the "rightangled triangle" by making excellent records in scholarship.

The rewards Pythagoras may ex-

pect from his college and fraternity life will be in direct proportion to the amount of effort expended and the manner in which he directs those efforts. It is evident that these remarks point only a little way toward the course that lies ahead. It is for Pythagoras to make use of his courage to explore that mysterious world.

Acacia's primary duty is the support of the University in its effort to give the membership the education and training they desire for the work which they have chosen as theirs. Membership in Acacia will not impose any demands or restrictions that retard or prevent the full achievement of this goal. A chapter of Acacia shall be a positive, active support to the university. Only by the fullest realization of this duty can Acacia-or any other fraternity-justify its existence, its presence in any college community, or the time, thought, money and effort expended upon it.

Acacia, like all modern American college fraternities, is one expression of age-old ideals and human tendencies. It makes its demands as student societies have ever done, but it allows also for the rights of the individual.

On assuming the character of "Pythagoras" (an ancient Greek student, renowned for his persistent search for knowledge), a man surrenders none of his legal or social rights, none of his family or personal ties, none of his moral or religious ideals and standards. His status as a free individual changes only in that he has voluntarily taken on a new responsibility, which means, or should mean, commensurate inspiration and opportunity.

Ritual and Symbolism If ever there was a time when human group life was without symbolism and ritual that time is not known to historians, ethnologists and sociologists. It may be that in the childhood of the race and among primitive peoples ritual was more powerful than it is today among civilized folk, but it is doubtful if symbolism ever played as large a part in human life as now. Ritual and symbolism have affected human motivation since "the time when the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." Symbolism and ritual have

been so universally potent in controlling the activities of men in groups that any serious study of group processes must attempt to set forth their significance and their application to modern group work. To eliminate all ceremony from life would be to take from life much of its color and drama, and even to eliminate etiquette and manners.

Throughout the ages ritual has been a potent force for uniting individuals with the group, for securing from the individuals action which is approved by the group mores. The whole process of modern life involves the expansion of symbolism. Ritual and symbolism are inextricably intertwined.

Friendship means admission to a sphere of privacy in each other's lives from which the rest of the world is excluded. The secret forms of Acacia, by enlarging the content of this sphere of mutually shared privacy, thus symbolizes a deepening of the bonds of friendship among the group embraced within it.

The values of privacy, and of the intimacies of friendship which privacy alone enables, cannot be realized except in a limited circle, invested with some sphere of secrecy. Thi~ sphere cannot be secret if it is already known to outsiders. The formal secrecy merely expresses, and thereby emphasizes and gives a more tangible substance, to a reality that invests the relations of friendship wherever it exists.

Enduring vows and ritualistic ceremonies brought to actual fulfillment cannot help but intensify the most hoped-for ideal of human relationship.

Whatever the form of expression, let it ever be remembered that its beauty, its conviction, the depths of its significance, are not to be found alone in its form, but in the living truths which they symbolize. To the candidate it symbolizes that he is earning something for which he has been willing to undergo hardship, and that gives it a finer and fuller value in his eyes.

The ritual is one of the features of Acacia which makes this fraternity more than a glorified rooming-house.

It depicts its historical background, delineates its program of brotherly love and friendship, scholastic excellence and quality of character and

morals. No normal man can fail to derive benefits from its ideals.

Interfraternity Progress In earlier years the sharp rivalry among fraternity chapters fostered clannishness and led to much bitterness of feeling. Thirty years ago representatives of the outstanding national fraternities of that day met in an atmosphere of distrust, suspicion, and antagonism to discuss a question involving their organizations. Now delegates of practically every national fraternity in this country meet in an atmosphere of friendliness and enthusiastic co-operation to consider problems that they all recognize are common to social fraternities.

Also attending these annual sessions of the National Interfraternity Conference are many delegates to the National Undergraduate Interfraternity Council, members of more than 45 of the 60 conference fraternities and representing 70 colleges and universities throughout the United States.

It has secured acquaintanceship and cemented friendships among leaders of the co-operating societies, improved relationships among fraternities, and secured common action in needed advances. This interfraternity movement has practically wiped out opposition to the fraternities, the sincerity of purpose of the leaders having made strong appeal to college administrators, as the common interest of college and fraternity has been emphasized in friendly conference and co-operation.

All this is evidence that in three decades fraternities have not only become unified in their objectives, but have come to the realization that through co-operation the interests of all are advanced. The presence of approximately fifty presidents of educational institutions and deans of men indicated that the spirit of co-operation extended to college administrators as well.

They agreed that fraternities see the opportunity of developing socialmindedness and are taking advantage of their opportunity, improving their relationships with the civic community, with the college community, and within their own membership.

Tradition Combining Modern The surest sign of growth in any organization is to be found in its abil-

ity to adapt itself to new conditions; the surest sign of its disintegration and probable early demise is its insistence on maintaining its original form in a changing world. If Acacia were content to live only on past achievements and to hold to regulations that have outlived their usefulness, we should long ago have lost interest in it and sought new associations. Fortunately, however, it has proved itself not only a living organism but a constantly developing force within its sphere of usefulness.

Acacia persists in its ideals; they remain regardless of the age of its members, their previous affiliations, their parentage, or their blood relationships. Those ideals were built on a strong foundation; their derivation from Masonic ideals is but incidental.

They might have been derived quite as well from some other institution, for the world has seen high-minded men with enviable ideals in other fields.

Those of us whose lot has been happily cast among young men, whose work has been with them, have learned that young men still aspire to high callings, that they still cherish fine sentiments, that they still struggle manfully toward the truth so that they may "give light to those with whom they may be associated as they traverse life's pathways." They make mistakes as we who have preceded them have made mistakes, but they still covet fair dealings, they still honor achievement, they still demand honesty and integrity.

We know that so long as the choice young manhood of America fills the halls of learning in our colleges and universities, you who are chosen to become members of Acacia will advance these ideals.

By holding fast to the tenets which prompted the founding of Acacia, a firm and enduring foundation has been built. Acacia has progressed through thirty-five years under the name "Acacia Fraternity." It has attained an enviable place on the well-known campuses of the country. Acacia commands the respect and admiration of the alumni, faculty and students of every university where chapters are located.

Acacia membership does not cease with graduation or with leaving the university. The vows and obligations of the pledge and active man are for

Training in the social graces is far more important than many people realize, but the first object of education should be to make each individual able to stand on his own feet and take part in community responsibilities.

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Principles unite men. It is the duty of the Fraternity to impress upon its members the principles of personal righteousness, to inspire them with that feeling of well-wishing toward all mankind which will move them to translate principle into action. llltllltlllllllllllllltlllltlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllltllllllllfllllllltllll

all time. The premises made at the shrine and altar of Acacia are sacred for life. It is fully possible for you who shall become affiliated with Acacia to receive the same joy and satisfaction that many others have gained.

THE CHALLENGE A boy leaving home recently for his last year in college remarked to his mother that he was blue about his future. "What sort of a world am I going to graduate into?" he asked. "There is the war. We don't think we'll get in, but we might. The country isn't over the depression. By the time I'm out of school, how do I know what the situation will be? Will there be any chance for me to get a job?" Undoubtedly young people in every part of the country are thinking along these lines.

There is another and brighter side. It is based not on wishful thinking but on the teachings of history. We are not here referring to the possibility that the gloomy forebodings about the destructive results of the European war may not come true. But history shows that eras of security carry their own evils of lethargy and stagnation.

In the course of history progress has come in time of ferment. After operating for centuries as a republic Rome evolved into an empire. The last century of the republic was a time of terrible disorders and civil wars. Under the empire founded by Augustus came 250 years of the famous Paa: Romana, the Roman peace.

It is a curious thing that the century of disorder and uncertainty was a period of immense activity and progress with the flowering of a flock of unusual personalities. Repeatedly the same phenomena have recurred.

The age of the Renaissance was an age of turmoil and uncertainty which seemed to compel men to use their talents. The years of the American Revolution were certainly years of the greatest uncertainty. But they produced a group of the ablest men in American history. "These are times that try men's souls," wrote Tom Paine

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No needs are more general than the restoration of human faith, of confidence of men in themselves and their fellow men, in their sincerity, their honesty, their altruism; and the promotion of the brotherhood of all mankind.

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"the man who knows the President " ' and so on; for the man who is everybody's friend has an abundance of those riches that can never be lost.

Life is never empty for the genuine server. The world is what we make it; not what other people make it; what you and I and all our friends and families make it. It is a better place than it was a hundred years ago. This is true in spite of wars still going on in some parts of the world. Much of the improvement is due to scientific discovery; even more is due to the fact that we have begun to recognize our responsibilities to the whole human race. This is becoming the age of service. Each can do much to form our time. Our motto is: "Human Service."

houses, where every room is so fully occupied, and is not only a benefaction to the members of the Fraternity, but a source of comfort to parents whose sons are going through college and living in fraternity houses.

AN EXAMPLE A fraternity cannot be created; it must grow. The fraternity's growth is fostered, as is all growth, by striving, and struggling, and reaching; by doing and not by formal learning. The fraternity is not an academic concept, the child of man's brain; it is a living force, the offspring of man's spirit.

They tell us that modern youth is hard-boiled and lacks altruism. When talking about fraternities and ideals, one should remember that a fraternity chapter is a group of youths.

Alumni of different fraternities recently called on the undergraduate heads of half a dozen chapters at an institution which is not considered a good field for fraternities. The alumni did little of the talking; they had come to listen and to learn. And as the undergraduates reported, one after the other, what they had been reaching for and how they had gone about achieving it, one could not help being impressed with their earnestness, their simplicity of technique and directness of approach, and above all, with their realism.

The leaders were dissatisfied with what they were getting out of their fraternity association; they wanted it to mean something in their college life.

And so they looked about for the ways and means. And one of their number, with unerring instinct, went right to the heart of the whole problem.

They began by having Sunday buffet suppers at the chapter house, getting the crowd together, learning to know each other, singing together, and just having a good time, together -a realistic approach to friendship.

Their next step was based on the realization that the success of a college career is measured for the individual in terms of his personal growth. Each man analyzed and rated his classmates as to essentia'I qualities-frankly, dispassionately, anonymously. Each man received then the appraisal that had been made of him by his fellows. Consultation with friends followed, and an effort to help themselves, and to help each other. The perfect circle.

in the dark days of the Revolution. It was the trying of souls that gave America Washington and Franklin and J efferson and Hamilton and a host of others.

Most of us get things out of perspecAN INNOVATION tive because we ignore the long experience of the race. We think of our probAn event which was not only unique, lems as new when they have been met but revolutionary in college fraternity over and over again, and mankind being life was the• dedication and consecratough and resilient, has survived. tion of the first college fraternity These results came because men re- chapel in America on Sunday, April fused to allow themselves to be blocked 19, 1931, at the Chapter House of by the obstacles that seemed to bar the Acacia Fraternity, University of Pennway. The uncertainties of the present sylvania, a gift of Dr. and Mrs. Joseph time are not so great as those that often R. Wilson. Dr. Wilson, a former nahave confronted men and women in the tional president of Acacia has, for a past. There are difficulties to be met, long time, sponsored the idea of a problems to be solved. Perhaps there chapel in every Acacia chapter house. is a new world order finally to be con- This was the first fraternity to recogstructed. The boys and girls of today nize the plea for "A Chapel in Every who are to be the men and women of Home" and the necessity of a place for the next generation will have plenty of spiritual meditation in its everyday opportunities if they are ready to meet activities. The Chapel is for meditathe difficulties and attack the problems. tion only and not for set services. , The little Meditation Chapel was The mopers and timid souls will get nowhere. But those who face front adopted by the Chapter of the Acacia with courage and energy will have the Fraternity not only as an influence on chance to work out satisfactory lives the young college men who live within and to make their contribution toward its doors, but to every student on the campus of the University of Pennsyla finer nation and a better world. vania.

It proclaimed that the Acacia FraSUCCESS ternity recognized the necessity of a What do we generally mean by a place for spiritual meditation in its "successful man"? Success has been everyday life. It furthermore was a considered chiefly in its worldly sense. tribute to the Great Master Builder, Real success is not a victory for our- whose work is humanity, and its chilselves alone; it is a victory for princi- dren His care. ple. A victory that helps other people Meditation Chapel in the Acacia as well as ourselves. More and more House imparts an atmosphere unobthoughtful men and women are realiz- tainable from any other source. It is ing their duty-a positive, inescapable the most valuable asset of the fraterduty, towards their neighbors. The nity; a necessity inseparable from the growth of Rotary Clubs, Social Serv- highest standards of correct living.

This "secret closet for prayer" proice Societies, these and a hundred other activities are attracting men and vides a place for spiritual communion women who feel that they owe some- so difficult to find in college fraternity thing to the community. To this principle we have given the name service.

With the best will in the world, what In the philosophy of Pythagoras two aspects are dominant-the religious can we do? Well, we can be friendly. or moral and the formal or mathematical-insistence upon the superiority of man's intellectual nature over his sensual nature, and in the supposition that To be known as everybody's friend is the best life was one devoted to mental discipline. a very high honor-far higher than to be known as the richest man in the city,

E:r:cerpt from an I ntMfratemity Broadoaaf over NBC from New York City by Dr. Harry W. Chase, Chancellor of New York Un.wer&ity.

Youth,s Problems the Fraternity,s Interests The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in a recent survey of college education uses this striking phrase. It says: "Each student's self-education should constitute the controlling object of any educational agency that deals with him. In order to endure, education must be selfachieved." All that we can do, all that any educational institution can do is to build up a climate which is favorable to education and then the individual himself must determine whether or not he can live happily and profitably in that particular climate. We make a great mistake from such a viewpoint if we overlook the importance of activities which go on outside the formal classroom work and which help to mould and shape the individual.

With the enormous increase in college graduates today we may well expect that the outlooks of the college student of today will be in large measure the outlooks of the America of tomorrow. The college student of today is not the carefree "rah! rah !" boy that some people still picture him to be. The world is not something that goes on apart from themselves. It impinges on their daily experiences.

Many of them have a keen sense of the fact that competition in any of the professions is going to be a keener thing than it has ever been before in our lifetime as a nation. They know the prevalence of unemployment among young people.

One of the saddest things in the world is an institution or an organization that just sits still and lets life go by it until by and by it becomes just an empty form. This thing has happened again and again in the history of human affairs. I personally have too much sympathy with the fraternities to want to see them listed a generation from now among such types of institutions.

So far as I am concerned it seems to me that the great challenge of the college fraternity of today is to par-

ticipate more actively in the central purpose of the college itself, that is, in its educational purpose. It must realize the shift of interest in college students themselves and it must actively foster and encourage that interest. I do not mean to overlook the other valuable contributions that the fraternity makes, its training in leadership, its training in cooperative living, its social atmosphere. Of course a fraternity house has a certain advantage because it is, as a rule, a comfortable place to live and it is a congenial place to live. But it would be a very unfortunate circum~tance if an

CRITERIA We consider the fraternity responsible for a positive contribution to the primary functions of the colleges and universities, and there¡ lore under an obligation to encourage the most complete personal development of its members, intellectual, physical, and social. Therefore we declare : That the objectives and activities of the fraternity should be in entire accord with the aims and purposes of the institutions at which it has its chapters.

That the primary loyalty and responsibility of a student in his relations with his institution are ¡to the institution, and that the association of any group of students as a chapter of a fraternity involves the definite responsibility of the group for the conduct of the individual. That the fraternity should promote conduct consistent with good morals and good taste. That the fraternity should create an atmosphere which will stimulate substantial intellectual progress and superior intellectual achievement. That the fraternity should maintain sanitary, safe, ~nd wholesome physical conditions m the chapter house. That the fraternity should inculcate principles of sound business practice both in chapter finances and in the business relations of its members.

Adopted by the National lnttrlraternity Conference

agency as potentially valuable as the fraternity should be a social club and nothing else.

There is in America a great social urge for higher education which is, I think, a deep expression of the underlying American tradition which wants enlarged opportunity for each generation as it comes to the front.

The college fraternity, if it is to survive as an important agency of the sort of education I have been stressing, must recognize this state of affairs.

Fraternities have outgrown the period within which many people regarded them as harmful. There used to be, as many of you know, a great deal of feeling that our fraternities were undemocratic, that they were morally injurious, and that they ought, perhaps, to be abolished. They have been strong enough and vital enough to live through such discussion. That means that they have had a value or they would have succumbed. But they have survived. The fraternity can be a valuable, and an extremely valuable agency of self-education. In the chapter house of a good fraternity where there live men of similar tastes and aims an enormous amount of valuable informal education can go on.

They must, if they are to grow, if they are to be significant experiences in the lives of young people, study and realize the problems of the young people of today. They must know what they are thinking about, they must realize that youth is living in a changed world and that the fraternity must strive to help it to live in that world.

That there are increasing signs of such recognition is to me a happy augury of the future of the fraternity itself.

One of the heartening things to me in all this area is what has seemed to me these last few years a growing interest on the part of the fraternities themselves in just this fact. This is a tendency to which I bid Godspeed.

In it lies the real salvation of the fraternity idea.

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"I visualize the fraternity of the future as the greatest school for democracy on the campus where each man's struggles are the struggles of every other member, and each man's strength is the strength of all combined.''

Dr. Alvin E. Duerr

ALUMNI ASSOCIATIONS AKRON President: Vernon F. Goodall, 739 Carpenter St. AUSTIN President: Evan B. Mathis.

BUFFALO President: C. N. Kenworthy, 342 Villa Ave.

OMAHA President: George C. Pardee, 330 Bankers Res. Life Bldg.

INDIANA Robert B. Straesser, 952 E . Boone St., Frankfort, Ind.

PEORIA President: Lloyd Gould, Erie Mining Co.

IOWA STATE Clair Claxton, 3319 Washington Blvd., Chicago, Ill.

PHILADELPHIA Chairman : Wilbert C. Cornell, 125 Long Lane, Upper Darby, Pa.

CEDAR RAPIDS President : Robert 0. Bickel, 806 S. 2nd St.

SAN FRANCISCO President: L. H. Williams, 140 New Mont· gomery St.

CHICAGO President: Fred L . Gage, 105 W. Adams.

ST. LOUIS President : A. D. Flagman

CLEVELAND President: Frank G. Steinbach, The Foundry, Penton Bldg.

SEATTLE President: Andrew A. Jordan, 721 2nd Ave.

CINCINNATI President: George J. Brunner, 2358 Robs St.

TOPEKA President : George Faust, Masonic Bldg.

DENVER President : Fred H. Young, 1255 Steele St.

WICHITA President: Robert Blase, Bitting Bldg.

DES MOINES President: L. R. French, 640 44th St.

WASHINGTON, D. C. President: George Spangler, 1801 16th St. N. W.

FORT WAYNE President: W. H. Bach, 435 E. Wayne St. HOUSTON President: T. H. Sanders, Citizens State Bank Bldg.

INDIANAPOLIS President: A. G. Emhardt, Jr., 302 Kresge Bldg.

KANSAS CITY, MO .

President: Thomas Fisher, 710 Rialto Bldg.

LINCOLN President: Wendell Groth, 221 Sharp Bldg.

LOS ANGELES President: William J . Stone, Altadena, Calif.

MILWAUKEE President: Hugo Kuechenmeister, 3835 Frederickson Ave. Whitaker, 4201

Names and Summer Addresses of Rush Captains CALIFORNIA Glen W . Cox, 1306 Mt. Vernon, San Bernardino, Calif.

CINCINNATI Don Schmalz!, 3645 Brooks Ave., Cincinnati, Ohio.

LAWRENCE President : George Ansdell.

MINNEAPOLIS President: V. D. Parkway.

Temple

N.

Webber

NEW YORK President: John M. Robeson, 410 Riverside Drive.

OKLAHOMA CITY President: Carlton Wright, 2406 N. W. 21st St.

COLORADO Ralph W. Cooke, 1029 So. Columbine St., Denver, Colo.

CORNELL Burtt D. Dutcher, Mascoma, New Hampshire.

FRANKLIN Wm. P . McFarland, 737 Sharon Ave., Collingdale, Pa. GEORGE WASHINGTON Monroe Williamson, 1757 N St. N. W., Washington, D. C. ILLINOIS Stanton R. Pemberton, 501 E. Daniel St., Champaign, Ill.

KANSAS James Cooper, 211 East 11th Ave., Winfield, Kan.; Fred Stubeck, 2245 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, l{an, KANSAS STATE Darrell Bozarth, 324 West 3rci St., Liberal, Kan. MICHIGAN John F. Durr, 1923 Geddes Ave., Ann Arbor, Mich.

MINNESOTA Charleu Simpson, 1206 5th St., S. E., Minneapolis, Minn.

MISSOURI Don Lowrey, 3407 Benton Blvd., Kansas City, Mo. NEBRASKA William Hastings, Newman Grove, Nebr.

NORTHWESTERN Robert Kittredge, 616 Central St., Evanston, Ill.; Carl Simonson, 233 E. Walton Place, Chicago, Ill. OHIO STATE Rowland Hosmer, Middlefield, Ohio.

OKLAHOMA Howard Ivy, Waurika, Okla.

OKLAHOMA STATE Victor Nelson, 1904 South Gary St., Tulsa, Okla.

PENN STATE John Gillespie, Acacia Fraternity, State College, Pa. PURDUE A. E . Snyder, 1042 Portage St., South Bend, Ind. SYRACUSE Arthur 0. Gutman, 133 W. 47th St., New York City WASHINGTON Robert Nelson, 5004 17th Ave., N. E., Seattle, Wash.

WASHINGTON STATE James N. Shepard, Davenport, Wash.

WISCONSIN Hugo Kuechenmeister, Jr., 209 Bernard Ct. , Madison, Wis.

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The man who is going to be useful to society needs a constructive program and philosophy. There is no difference in industry between these two groups, which we may term the fraternity and nonfraternity types, though the fraternity type tends to be practically the more effective.

A.• A.cacian. we endeavor: To •trengthen the tie• of friend•hip, one with the other, to prepare ounelve• a• educated men to take a more active part and have a greater influence in the affair• of the community in which we may re•ide, and above all, to •eek the truth and knowing it, to give light to tho•e with whom we may be a••ociated a. we travel along life'• pathway.

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