book of records - Kansas State University

Book of Records 7.23
8. THE WORLD WAR II YEARS AND REBUILDING
(1940-1947)
As with many ΑΤΩ chapters during World War II, Delta Theta experienced some dark years. But there was
that old Tau spark among several ΑΤΩs left in Manhattan that kept the chapter going.
During the early years of the war, the chapter didn=t suffer too much. They had some of these better years.
They were still holding up good scholastically and had men in many of the honoraries on campus. ΑΤΩs were in other
campus activities including some of K-State=s better athletes. Francis Gwin, Wallace Swanson and Don Munzer are
examples, as they were some of the Wildcat=s best football players with Gwin serving as captain of the 1942 team.
Another outstanding athlete was Glenn Duncan, a top wrestler. The chapter was also maintaining its winning tradition in
intramurals. They got off to a good start winning the volleyball title in 1941 and even as late as the spring of 1943, the
chapter was near the top in the overall rankings.
All this just wasn=t to last as the United States kept increasing its mobilization. Men were leaving for the war
during the early years, but it wasn=t until the spring of 1943 that most of the members finally had departed for the war.
This started the darkest years.
By the spring of 1944, Delta Theta had only one pledge representing it on campus. At this critical time,
alumnus Steve Delladio came to the aid of the chapter and initiated the pledge, Charles Ottman, in November of 1944.
The drive to rebuild had begun.
The chapter suffered one setback during the rebuilding drive. In 1944, the alumni had to sell the house. The
active membership had been depleted and, trying to hang on to the property, it was rented to the College in school year
1943-44 for Army men. Finally, it became too much of a financial burden and so, to salvage some of the equity, it was
sold.
All the while, however, the rebuilding drive was under way and four men were pledged and initiated in the
spring of 1945. Eleven former actives returned to the chapter during the fall and spring semesters of 1945-46. Seven
men were initiated during the school year, bringing the active numbers to 18. One former pledge returned and 13 men
were pledged during the school year.
Chapter meetings were held during the 1945-46 school year at the home of Steve Delladio. Francis Gwin was
elected Worthy Master and the chapter began planning a drive for a new Chapter House. The Alumni Association
started a fund raising campaign and Brother Delladio contributed a good sum to it.
Francis Gwin and Don Munzer went to the AHomecoming Congress@ in Chicago to reestablish relations with
the National Fraternity, as they had been severed by the war. This Congress was referred to as AOperation
Homecoming@, as it brought the chapters together again after the war and welcomed home all the returning brother
veterans.
In the fall of 1946, things began to look good for ΑΤΩ. Wilber Engelland was elected Worthy Master for that
year. It started exceptionally well as Delta Theta took 25 pledges, bringing the total membership up to 45. The Country
Club was rented one night a month to enable the chapter to stay active socially.
It was also during this school year that the chapter found a temporary place to live together until a house could
be found. It was the half completed dormitory in West Stadium of Memorial Stadium. Despite the noise and confusion,
the chapter ranked fifth in scholarship among 19 fraternities. To help encourage and promote good grades among the
new members, a fine tradition was started. Starting in 1947, the honor initiate of each pledge class received a jeweled
pin. This tradition was taken one step further in 1955. Starting that year, the honor initiate=s name was engraved on an
honor initiate paddle to be displayed in the Chapter House. Both these traditions continue to this day.