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Brothers,
In February 1961, a small group of men led by Auburn English professor
Dr. William R. Hauser began a series of meetings that would lead to
the organization of a new fraternity on campus. There were already many
fraternities at Auburn, and there were already many chapters of Hauser's
fraternity, Phi Gamma Delta, around the country. But Hauser's vision,
adopted enthusiastically by the men he recruited, was a fraternity that
shattered all the stereotypes and established a new benchmark for a
college fraternity.
Of course you know how this story ends because you were a part of the
first decade of the Alpha Upsilon chapter of Phi Gamma Delta. If you
have any connection to college life today, at Auburn or anywhere else,
you know that Alpha Upsilon as envisioned by Bill Hauser is the model
for what colleges today want fraternities to be.
That dream was realized on October 27, 1962, with the chartering of
Alpha Upsilon, in spite of the skepticism of many in the Greek community
and a potentially debilitating fire that destroyed the chapter house
just seven months before Delta Colony was to present its case to the
Ekklesia. Phi Gamma Delta has today attained a preeminent position among
fraternities at Auburn, but as we approach the 50th anniversary of the
chartering of Alpha Upsilon it is important to stop, remember, and recapture
the unique spirit of those early years. That is why a group of brothers
is planning the "Fiji Old-Timers" Reunion on the weekend of
October 19-21, 2012, to celebrate this milestone. And we want you to
be a part of it!
If you participated in the 40th Reunion in 2002 you know how special
a weekend such as this can be. It truly embodied the concept of "Not
for College Days Alone." This reunion is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
to renew old friendships and connect with brothers you have wanted to
see for a long time.
The Steering Committee has planned a weekend full of opportunities for
formal and informal interaction, including an informal Friday night
reception, a Saturday morning "Chapter meeting" at the house,
a football watching party on Saturday afternoon, and a Saturday evening
banquet. There will be a Hospitality Room filled with Auburn Fiji memorabilia,
an informal golf tournament, and informal brunches on Saturday and Sunday
at the Chapter House.
Most events will be at the Auburn Hotel and Conference Center, next
door to the Chapter House. Let's all go and make the 50th Anniversary
"Fiji Old Timers Reunion" a weekend to remember. Wives are
encouraged to attend.
My decision to accept the opportunity to join Delta Colony was very
difficult for several reasons. It was also one of the most important
and rewarding decisions in my life. My Fiji experience transformed me
into a better person and led to my meeting my wife Merrill. My family
at our wedding in Savannah in 1963 was 27 Fiji brothers and pledges
plus our DEAR Mom Karick. Most of the dearest friends in my life are
also my Fiji brothers. Hope to see you all in October.
Fraternally,
Gary Guttry '63
First President, Alpha Upsilon of Phi Gamma Delta
Perge!
This
page was last updated on
August 25, 2012
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