Alumni Campaign Slowed Down By the Word War

At Homecoming in 1941, a group of alumni got together and streamlined the alumni organization of Theta Chapter of Beta Theta Pi, and made plans for a house modernization fund campaign to raise $10,000.

The old alumni association and the Theta chapter house company were combined into one unit under a single Board of Trustees. The new group was to stimulate alumni interest in the affairs of Theta Chapter, to work out a plan to give the chapter help in rushing, and to retire the present most  gage un the Beta House and make any repairs that were needed.

The retirement of the mortgage and re pairs on the house were to be accomplished through the money raised in the moderniza don campaign. Among the repairs planned were the rewiring of the house, installation of new plumbing, a new roof, and there placement of worn-out furniture on the second and third floors as well as on the first.

The meeting, held at the chapter house in November, 1941, was attended by over 50 alumni. After the constitution of the Alumni Association was drawn up, the new officers were elected. George B. Harris, ’00, of Cleveland was made president and Chairman of the Board of Trustees.

Fred O Burkhalter ’32 secretary, and Robert E Watson ’11, Delaware was made Treasurer.

The Board of Trustees consisted of George Harris, ’00, Maynard Craig, ’16, Sam Robinson, 10, Robert Watson, ’11, Fred Burkhalter, ’32.

The financial campaign got under way about August, 1942, and is still going, al, though, it has bogged down considerably due to war conditions. The campaign was under the direction of George Harris, ’00, and from his office were sent lists to cer¬tain alumni who represented the various age groups. They in turn were to write letters to those on their lists informing them of the campaign.

The gual of We campaign was $10,000. Each alumni was asked to give a sun) which he felt he could afford. The idea of the campaign was to get large contributions, and wipe out all debt and establish a fund which the active chapter could perpetuate which would take care of all future repairs and improvements. This would eliminate the need for financial campaigns every few years.

Treasurer Robert Watson reports that $1,320 has been received todate. The reasons for the small amount collected is attributed to the increased cost of living, many of the alumni being called into the armed forces, and in part to the lack of coopera-tion shown by some of those asked to help run the campaign. However, the cooperation could not have been better in most instances. according to President George Harris.

The results of the campaign are already visible around the house. In the East Par¬lor arc two new davenports and chairs, a library table, coffee table, occasional chairs, and several new lamps. On the second floor, there is new carpet in the hallway, and new furniture in the president’s room. This new furniture has improved the looks of the house, and had a great dea: to do with obtaining the excellent pledge classes this year. It has improved the morale of the actives, too. Not quite so tangible as the new furniture are the repairs made on the roof to stop the leaks which were made this spring. They were temporary until a new roof can he put on this summer.

The alumni association also aided a great deal in rushing in the past two years by the chapter tips and recommendations about boys coming to Wesleyan from their vicin-itl. Much credit is due to John H. Sum- mers, ’08, of Columbus, for his untiring interest and efforts in the field of rushing.

It is hoped by the Board of Trustees that the campaign can be reawakened when the war is over, if not sooner, so that the $3,200 mortgage can be retired and the needed repairs on plumbing and wiring can be made.