LEGACIES AND THE FRATERNITY

Excerpts from a speech by George Banta Jr., Wabash ’14 , The Scroll, January 1963, pages 183–84

(Brother Banta’s father was George Banta Sr., Franklin ’76, first President of the General Council, 1880–82; his son, George Banta III, Lawrence ’45.)

In considering this subject the question as to what a college fraternity is or was intended to be is important. As I have said many times, it is not a public service institution. It is a close brotherhood of kindred spirits based upon the family tradition. Other organizations such as service clubs, benevolent societies and goodwill corps are different, and they were intended to be. A college fraternity is an instrument of sentiment. Some people shy away from this word; they think of it as something sticky or syrupy. It is my opinion that it is needed in our lives, that it is associated with some of the finer things in our lives, and that it is akin to love and affection. A fraternity is a vehicle for the sentimental strain if it is honest and sincere. To me that is one of its strongest assets, and it could be and should be to others.

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