1964–65 Volume 89 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

AN INTERVIEW WITH DR. BROWNPhi Delta Theta's Beloved Centenarian AnswersSome Questions About His FraternityON May 30, 1964, Dr. John Edwin Brown(Ohio Wesleyan '84), President of * A 9'sGeneral Council for the biennium 1902-1904,observed his 100th birthday anniversary (seeSeptember SCROLL).Because of his many experiences in * A 9during his eighty years of membership and activeparticipation in its affairs, because of thecurrent mental agility of this Phi Centenarian,and because it was felt that all Phis should havethe pleasure and inspiration of learning ofDr. Brown's thinking on certain fraternitymatters, the Alumni Secretary prepared a seriesof questioiis for which Dr. Brown graciouslyagreed to prepare written answers.Brother Brown's answers to these questionsare reproduced with a minimum of editingand without editorial comment.Question: Brother Brown, you were initiatedinto the *Ae Fraternity in 1880, eighty-fiveyears ago. As you think back over life's experiencesand situations, what do you think werethe most significant contributions the Fraternitymade to your life?Answer: Phi Delta Theta broadened my conceptof college life by giving me contacts beyondthe limits of my own college, and put mein contact with interests far beyond my owncollege and my home, a small town. As SCROLLreporter for my chapter, a correspondence beganwith Walter B. Palmer (* A 9's fourthpresident and revered historian) that lastedthrough his lifetime.Question: If you were enrolling in collegetoday and had the opportunity, would you acceptmembership in one of our strong fraternities?Answer: Unless from college authorities onelearned of opposition that kept the better classof students out of fraternities, I would if thoseinviting me seemed a congenial group, withgood standing and relationship to college authorities.Question: How would you characterize thechief differences between undergraduate Phisin the "eighties" and those of today (a) as collegestudents? (b) as fraternity members?Answer: (a) I would say they seem to havemore interests beyond the classroom walls, mostof which are beneficial and help to round outa young man's experiences and better prepare[240]him for post-college days and his chosen work.(b) Fraternity membership doesn't meanmuch to a young man unless he finds broadeningactivity of some kind in his group—asa fraternity office which he can make of importanceto the chapter and himself—or, byaid of chapter influences, qualify for some collegeactivity that gives him worthwhile training.Question: As you have observed, heard, orread, about fraternity members during the pastdecade or so, what do you think is the mostsevere weakness in the American college fraternitytoday?Answer: The modern chapter house hasbrought many diversions that can weaken ayoung man's zeal in the main interests of college'life—thesocial vs. scholastic conflict.Question: How can we eliminate or at leastlessen the destructive effect of this weakness?Answer: A chapter house is a college dormitory,usually without a mature headship whichit needs. There should be a fixed maximum tothe activities or social life which inevitablycuts into the time devoted to scholastic interests.The fraternity group as a whole shouldwelcome collegiate oversight.Question: Dr. Brown, you were editor ofTHE SCROLL for a period of seven years, endingin 1896. In an editorial in the October, 1891,issue you wrote: "The evolution of the fraternitymagazine has been a progressive one." Inwhat ways do you think THE SCROLL has "progressed"during the approximately 70 yearssince your editorship?Answer: In many ways! It has benefited bythe Banta connection—not only mechanically—but in newsworthiness. I've never been entirelysold on the emphasis on athletics butthat may be a matter of age. I've been amazedthat financially it has been able to maintainthe circulation to our alumni.Question: You were elected to the editorshipof THE SCROLL by the Convention. Now, asyou know, the Editor is appointed by the GeneralCouncil. Do you think there are advantagesin either the elective or appointivemethods?Answer: Appointment by the General Councilis probably the better way.Question: As a former editor—what, in youropinion, should be the role of the Editor of