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| Iowa Beta History |
History of Iowa Beta of Sigma Alpha Epsilon
In the Beginning...1905-1920
The influence for good which a national convention has on a fraternity was illustrated by the Memphis convention. When the college days opened for the new year of 1905, the delegates and the visitors to the spirited gathering in the Tennessee city came trooping back to their chapters and filled them with the enthusiasm, with which they themselves had been flooded to the brim. The debuts of the three societies which had been given charters outright were fixed at early dates. Iowa Beta, so named because it was the second chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon to be established in the state, had its birthday set for February 11th.
When the 11th of February came, it was 32 degrees below zero at Iowa City, but the bitter cold had no power to destroy the warmth of SAE spirit. The installation ceremonies of Iowa Beta were held at two o'clock in the afternoon in the Knights of Pythias Hall. The installing officers were Eminent Archon, William C. Levere, ESA; Eminent Deputy Archon, William W. Wright Jr., Illinois Beta; Eminent Recorder, John H. McKnight, Minnesota Alpha; Eminent Warden, Wilber J. Teeters, Ohio Sigma; Eminent Herald, George B. Worthen, Illinois Beta, and Eminent Correspondent, Eric O. Siecke, Nebraska Lambda-Pi.
The initiation of the 27 charter members of Iowa Beta was an impressive and solemn ceremony. The fine, stalwart young Iowans entered into the impressive sentiments of the hour with all their hearts. The high honors of Sigma Alpha Epsilon were bestowed upon Rudolph Anderson, Edward Rule, Carleton Kent, Maurice Kent, William Bell, Charles Schenck, Oscar Okerlin, Ervin Barker, Carl Seashore, Nyle Jones, Henry Walker, Frederick Sturm, William Riley, John Burkheimer, Ira Burkheimer, Fred Moore, Harry Parsons, Calvin McClintock, John McClintock, Clyde Jeffers, Lyle Jeffers, Frederick Bailey, Claude Doyle, Dwight Griffiths, Walter Sieg, Henry Danielson, and Hugh Young.
These men were the foundation stones upon which Iowa Beta had risen as a Chapter. On their first day in the fraternity they established the fact that they were meant for Sigma Alpha Epsilon, for they gave to the ritual the serious, heartfelt deference, which that noble document always receives from thoughtful minds. When the hour arrived in the evening, they gave to it all the gaiety and frolic of spirits due such an occasion, with its bright lights, its cheerful song, and its flow of soul. The city was almost buried beneath the snow; the winds were sweeping the Iowa prairies like the sword of Attila. The mercury with the zero mark many degrees above its thin white level was sinking lower every hour, but in the banquet hall of Burkley Imperial, there was a fire of inextinguishable ardor, kindled by the glow of fraternity and youth and affection, which all the ice of the world could not chill.
Iowa Beta has been a successful chapter from the start. This was not expected. The spell, which the lofty-minded young men who were its charter members worked for, could not wear away in a day. If the chapter continues as it has, there is a promise that this legacy of its early men will last for all the future. Its installation over, the chapter continues as it has, there is a promise that this legacy of its early men will last for all the future. Its installation over, the chapter was not content to rest on the glories of that occasion. Within a few weeks, William Runyon, Frederick Poyneer and Charles Couch, three attractive freshmen, were added to the chapter. The social life of the chapter was launched with a dance on the athletic field while the chapter maintained the reputation it had enjoyed as a local.
There have been few chapters, in few fraternities, in few universities, which have had such a record for athletes as Iowa Beta. Nor was the field the only scene of triumph for Iowa Beta. Charles McClintock, one of the charter members, was elected for high scholarship to both Pi Beta Kappa and Sigma Xi, a double honor conferred on one person only once before in the history of the University.
The year 1909 was a good one in the history of Iowa Beta. It became the owner of the chapter house at 400 North Clinton Street. This was the only hope the chapter had known. It had moved into it in its days as a local, and the memories and traditions of one college generation were already entwined about it when it became the property of the chapter. The chapter owes some measure of its success to the steadfast friendship of Dean Wilber Teeters, of Ohio Sigma and Michigan Iowa-Beta, and now of Iowa Beta, for at the insistence of the chapter he has identified himself with it. The firm affections in which this SAE is held by the long line of younger brothers, who have passed through the chapter, must be some recompense for his unselfish and valuable services.
1920-1930
As would continue for much of Iowa Beta’s history, the chapter was strong in academics and athletics. Membership numbers were high, relative to other chapters on campus prior to the great depressions.
The strength of the chapter could largely be credited to the chapter adviser, Wilber J. Teeters, Dean of Iowa’s School of Pharmacy. It was Dean Teeters who personally selected the 303 North Riverside (now currently 302 Ridgeland Avenue) site for the chapter house. At that time, no other fraternity existed on the hill, but the Dean recognized the beauty of the site – one of the highest on campus. “The greatest fraternity in the land should have the greatest chapter house on campus,” the Dean was known to say. It was in the structure, completed in 1929 for $75,000, the Iowa Beta of SAE would enjoy enormous success until its sale in 1972.
The stock market crash did have a negative impact on the chapter. Many brothers were forced to live out of the chapter house and a few brothers hast to leave school.
The major forces holding the chapter together were the advising help of Dean Wilber Teeters, as well as the housemother, Mrs. Lacy, the aunt of Brother John Bennison. Mrs. Lacy required the brothers to wear a coat & tie at dinner and tempered horse-play in the chapter house.
1940
During the war years, Iowa Beta’s membership dropped significantly. The United States Government took over 303 North Riverside Drive (now currently 302 Ridgeland Avenue) to use for housing for the Army Services Training Program. About ten Brothers lived together in an apartment above Bremer’s Clothing Store on 120 East Washington Street. When use of the house was returned, chapter membership totaled ten to 15 Brothers.
The fraternity, which had languished during the war years, was rapidly and successfully rebuilt. The house received much needed remodeling to repair the “adult vandalism” caused by its use as Army and Navy housing during the war. Following WWII, SAE benefited from the maturity of the brothers attending Iowa in the G.I. Bill. They were serious about their education and a positive influence on the younger brothers initiated at a traditional age.
During the 1948-49 school year, under EA Joe Poulter, the chapter was tremendously active in campus activities and organizations, intramural and varsity sports. The year 1948 saw Jack Whitesell write and direct the musical “Kampus Kapers,” a resounding success which kept the brothers busy and out of mischief! That same year also marked the return of Wally Ris from the London Olympics with two gold medals – 100 meter freestyle and 800 meter relay team. He was undefeated in four years of swimming at Iowa.
1950
In 1950, Bob McKenzie and Jack Dittmer finished their careers as ends on the Iowa football team. Under Eddie Anderson and Leonard Raffensperger football was only mildly successful.
During the ‘50’s, intense feelings of camaraderie, good fellowship and fraternity spirit existed. A considerable amount of credit for this “good life” must be give to the housemother Mrs. Scholes.
The 1954-55 school year began with the Brothers winning the all-campus intramural participation trophy. The chapter was well represented in varsity sports having Brothers involved in football, wrestling, baseball, fencing, swimming and golf. Bill Steele managed the varsity football team.
Several Brothers received honors during the year, including Bob Doerr who was chosen Most Elgible Bachelor on campus and Homecoming Parade Chairman. In addition, Clyde Kitchedn was chosen as a member of Omicron Delta Kappa while Bill Brauer, Tom Davis and Don Van Hulzen were chosen as members of Phi Eta Sigma.
During the 1955-56 school year, the chapter demonstrated an excellent blend of athletes and scholars. The chapter won the intramural trophy and finished third in fraternity scholarship. The school year also marked the NCAA Wrestling Championship of Brother Ken Leuer.
SAE was well represented on the University of Iowa’s only Rose Bowl Championship team as Frank Bloomquist, Kevin Furlong, Bill Happel, Tony Hatch and Jerry Jenkinson were members of the team, while Bill Krause served as the senior football manager.
1960
The ‘60s were a memorable era for Iowa Beta. During this time, 60 Brothers lived in the chapter house.
Fall pledge classes averaged 20-24 members from diverse backgrounds. Scholarship was emphasized for pledges with required study periods every day but Saturday. Activities during the fall semester revolved around football season and intramurals. Homecoming with the creation of the Homecoming float was also a highlight.
Iowa Beta continued its representation among student athletes. Iowa football of the early ‘60s included brothers Sherman, Fletcher, Reilly, and Niedbala. The brothers received an unwanted day off when the Iowa vs. Notre Dame game was cancelled the day following President Kennedy’s assassination.
Football was not the only sport which included members of SAE. The basketball team included Brother Bill Skea and many Brothers also participated in baseball and varsity swimming.
Music was also important to Iowa Beta in the ere. Brothers with musical talent would play at parties and exchanges under the leadership of Howard Kennedy, music director. Regular serenading of sorority women provided the Brothers with plenty of singing rehearsal. Bob McCauley led the Brothers and guests in informal singing.
1970
The 1970s began with the Brothers at 303 North Riverside (now currently 302 Ridgeland Avenue) enjoying the remodeling that had been done just a dew years before. Unfortunately, this was a time when the Vietnam War was having a profound effect throughout the nation. This effect was very apparent on the campus at Iowa City and included anti-establishment sentiments, riots, and in some cases a decline in the undergraduates’ perception of the role and importance of fraternities. As a result, some of our chapter’s leadership focused on other concerns rather than building leaders for the future. While the chapter pledges some 15 men in the fall rush of 1970, the fall rush of 1972 was almost fruitless.
That fall, as chapter expenses increased, the number of undergraduates living in the chapter house decreased to a number of insufficient to satisfy the budget. The sitting Housing Corporation made a quick and fateful decision to sell 303 North Riverside. All undergraduates were told to move out by the end of 1972.
The specific details of the sail are unclear, but one thing is certain – the majority of Iowa Beta alumni were unaware the sale was taking place. When word got around, Iowa Betas of all eras expressed their regret that they had not known of the chapter’s financial condition and that many would have been willing to help.
The chapter all but disappeared for the next couple of years with an active membership of less than 10 men. Alumni involvement and communication became virtually non-existent. Without a chapter house to return to, or for undergraduates to live in, the ties that bound our chapter together loosened.
However, a small group of undergraduates continued to meet and live together. In 1974, a second house was opened by the Housing Corporation at 115 East Fairchild, not far from the east dorms. The men lived there and purchased board contracts at Burge Hall for their food. While this group was electric, three of its members were very successful participants in the UI football program. Two earned All-American honors as linemen – Joe Devlin and Rod Waters – and the other, Jim Jensen, turned out to be a very durable running back. All three had successful NFL careers.
In 1975, nine men lived in this house and, still eating their meals at Burge Hall, they developed a camaraderie with another group of residents there. As a result, when the fall of 1976 came around, 17 men were or became active members of Iowa Beta of SAE. A three-story brick house at 932 East College street was purchased by the Housing Corporation.
The move to this house where the chapter would stay for several years was accomplished in the summer of ’76 with all members helping, including several who were also going though two-a-day practices for the football team.
The chapter grew steadily with nearly all members living in. A cook was hired, intramural participation included two basketball teams, and participation in the Homecoming parade was a highlight. It was the time of the renewal of the Iowa-Iowa State football games, and a time of significant involvement by our members in the Intrafraternity Judicial Process.
At this time, a third of the chapter’s members were involved with the Iowa football team. This turned out to be unfortunate in 1978, as the new coach, Hayden Fry, mandates that all the team members would live together in the dorms. Once again, the chapter fell on difficult financial times making it hard to focus on the goals and rewards of fraternity.
During these years, an alumni directory was commissioned by the undergraduate chapter and paid for by the generous donations of those who purchased them. There were also Homecoming celebrations at the house on East College Street that saw several alumni returning to Iowa City to share their good memories and good wishes with the undergraduate chapter. The first formal rush since 1971 was conducted in the fall of 1978. Active membership reached 27 in 1977 before men involved in the football program were required to live elsewhere.
1980
On campuses across the country the Greek system was experiencing resurgence. Sigma Alpha Epsilon at Iowa, however, faced difficult times. With a decline in membership, shrinking financial resources and little alumni advising, the chapter was near closure on several occasions. In 1981 the University of Iowa withdrew its recognition of Iowa Beta as a student organization and shortly thereafter the fraternity headquarters places it charter in the hands of an alumni commission. For the first time in more than 75 years, Iowa Beta did not have a home in Iowa City.
Hope appeared in the summer of 1982. Scott Elliot, a local businessman and SAE from Westminster College in Missouri, met Dave Wulf and Brad Cronk who had been initiated by Iowa Beta shortly before its charter had been removed. They set out to replant the flag of SAE at Iowa. Holding rush functions at their apartments and in the Student Union, the trio recruited Marc Rosenow of Rockford, Illinois, as the fledgling groups’ first pledge. Rosenow would play a crucial role in the recruitment of the majority of the chapter’s pledges, the acquisition of housing, and capped off his fraternity involvement by serving as Eminent Archon of the Chapter. Elliot enlisted the help of then Iowa Governor, Robert Ray, and SAE from Drake, to attend one of the rush functions. The group began to grow.
The chapter’s rapid growth caused the Supreme Council to return the charter to Iowa Beta at a tremendous Providence-wide event, which featured Iowa Beta alumnus, Congressman David Bonior of Michigan, as its keynote speaker.
The group continued to grow and, in the spring of 1983, took its 23-member pledge class to the Levere Memorial Temple to be initiated by the Supreme Council. By the beginning of the 1983-84 school year, the chapter had taken up residence in the newly constructed building at 603 South Dubuque Street, which was to serve as temporary housing until a suitable structure could be purchased. The original lions were returned to the chapter form the SAEs at Simpson College, in another symbolic marking of Iowa Beta’s rebirth.
Charlie Souhrada served as the first Eminent Archon during the first semester in the new SAE house. A visit from distinguished alumnus and former chapter Eminent Archon George Gallup, founder of the Gallup Poll, highlighted the semester.
By the middle of the 1980s chapter membership grew to more than a hundred. The group still resided in the Dubuque Street house affectionately known as “The Lodge.” However, meetings and social functions were difficult due to the size limitation of the building.
Scott Elliot continued his efforts to secure a permanent structure and to form a Housing Corporation. Alumni such as Bill Happel, Dr. Don Soll and Bill Krause were pivotal in the formation of the group. During this time, plans were considered to build a house near the Taft Speedway area north of campus. However, due to the location’s distance from campus and other Greek housing, enthusiasm for the plan never developed.
1990
As Iowa Beta celebrated its 85th anniversary, its prospects for growth were as strong as ever. The chapter had attracted two successful pledge classes in the fall of 1989 and in the spring of 1990. Despite successful rush activity, housing limitations were becoming more and more apparent. Eight years following the chapter’s rising from the ashes, Iowa Beta had reestablished its presence on Iowa’s campus. Building on the success of the ‘80s, SAE at Iowa had clearly become a campus leader. It was apparent to all that our housing at 603 South Dubuque Street did not accurately reflect our standing among other fraternities.
Recognizing that obtaining suitable housing was a long-term goal, the chapter didn’t lose sight of other aspects of fraternity such as brotherhood activities, campus involvement, and social events. The chapter represented itself well in the philanthropic activities of fellow Greek organizations. Winning Homecoming volleyball competitions, the year-long intramural championship, Greek Week competitions and Sigma Chi Derby Days was commonplace.
Individually, the brothers were involved across campus and in the community. The chapter had brothers serving as athletic trainer for the varsity basketball team, Interfraternity Council President, Homecoming King, Greek Man of the Year, and holding numerous positions on the student elections board and judicial court. The campus involvement of the chapter and individual brothers underscored the quality of Iowa Beta’s membership.
Rush was becoming increasingly competitive in this decade. In 1991, the chapter’s lease was up for renewal and the landlord demanded a two-year lease. Locking in to two more years at 603 South Dubuque Street could have placed Iowa Beta at a significant disadvantage. It was clear that Iowa Beta had to move to continue to attract quality men. The chapter put off signing the lease while suitable housing options were pursued.
One option considered was to construct a new chapter house on the southwest corner of North Dubuque and Church Street where a block-long apartment building now sits. The cost of the project estimated at nearly $1 million, would have placed a significant burden on the chapter’s membership. The plan was not pursued.
In the spring of 1992, Sigma Pi Fraternity closed its doors after years of struggling to remain on campus. The Sigma Pi National office chose to sell the property at 707 North Dubuque Street, located between Phi Delta Theta (currently Alpha Chi Omega) and Sigma Chi.
The Housing Corporation Board, Flip Klinger, Ray Stefani, and Joe Souhrada, entered into a lease-to-purchase agreement with Sigma Pi. The Housing Corporation had $500 in its checking account. To put down the $10,000 deposit, the Housing Corporation turned to Brothers Robert R. Aurner II, Pete Pohlmann, and Don Bently. Their generous support made the move possible.
Iowa Beta thrived in their new structure. The chapter enjoyed additional common areas, space for social functions, and the breathtaking views of the Iowa River. With the help of Jeff Braverman, President of Hawkeye Foods, an SAE from Arizona, the chapter outfitted a full kitchen by the fall of 1973. A cook was hired and for the first time in two decades, brothers of Iowa Beta enjoyed the traditional fraternity experience of regular meals together.
By the mid-‘90s, rumors were circulating that Tau Kappa Epsilon was on the verge of closing its doors. While a few university administrators assisted TKE, it was clear that their chapter did not have the leadership to survive. Recognizing the impending closure of TKE, Brothers Erik Daley and Steve Cary approached the last remaining TKE house corporation member. Brothers Daley and Cary informed him of Iowa Beta’s inherent interest in the structure, effectively resulting in a purchase between SAE and TKE. The chapter was unable to act immediately, however, because Iowa Beta was already carrying a mortgage on 707 North Riverside Drive.
Housing Corporation Board member and Iowa City banker, Jerry, Brossart, identified a financing plan for the Housing Corporation Board to purchase 303 North Riverside Drive, while attempting to sell the then current structure. However, the chapter would need the funds to maintain the note on 303 North Riverside Drive for one year, prior to loan approval.
With time literally running out, Brother Steve Cary ’91 stepped forward and lent the Housing Corporation Board over $34,000 to secure the loan for the coming school year, making possible the purchase of 303 North Riverside Drive and preventing its sale to another fraternity or real estate developer.
The undergraduate chapter recognized that the chapter house on 707 North Dubuque Street was in better condition than 303 North Riverside Drive. Despite the disparity, they appreciated the history of the structure across the river and were eager to be the first class of brothers to return to Iowa Beta’s best known address and reclaim what had once thought to be irrevocable.
Iowa Beta haw come full circle from the unfortunate sale of the chapter house in the early ‘70s. It is not an accident that the increased alumni involvement over the last two decades had a significant impact on the Iowa Beta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. Indeed, thanks to the dedication, generosity and love of their fraternity, alumni involvement has Reclaimed Our Heritage while taking Iowa Beta From Strength to Strength. |
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