Traditions
There are several traditions specific to our chapter. Not all are recorded here to leave some mystery to joining the ranks of Epsilon Gamma.
Pledge Plaque
All pledge classes are encouraged to produce a pledge plaque before the last member of the pledge class graduates. A tradition also seems to follow that the last active pledge mate in his final semester ends up making said pledge plaque.
Mascot
The chapter mascot is a giant polar bear named Polaris that made it into the office long ago. No one really knows where it came from or why it was there in the first place, but he's always there for us.
Can of Corn
A can of corn was passed from one pledge class to another when the newest pledge class was brothered. The can was signed on behalf of the pledge class. The last can of corn could be traced back to 1996, but has since been misplaced.
| I don't remember the corn. But who does? It just shows up sometimes.
-Micah Galland, Pledged Spring 1995 |
Brotherhood Auctions
At one time the chapter held brotherhood auctions. This has since gone to the wayside. Sorry. But some traditions stemming from the brotherhood auctions have stuck...
Like getting Laid. A brother could get Laid, or get Lucky, for 50 cents or cheaper at brotherhood auctions. Now a brother gets Laid for a semester. Laid, a plastic glow-in-the-dark skeleton, is passed from brother to brother. (Lucky is no longer with us.)
| You aren't actually supposed to get lucky with Lucky. He was very fragile. I think that tradition was started by Melanie Abell or Angelic Hoover. They were roommates who both wore leather, latex, and metal studs although as little of each as they could get away with. Melanie had a hedgehog and a lot of things shaped like penises. Angel was the only woman I know who could drive a stick in 6 inch heels. They could both quote Rocky Horror beginning to end. They were also my bigs. I'll never forget the first time I met them and they asked me how many bodies would fit into the trunk of a Ford Tempo. Surprisingly enough, they gave us Lucky.
-Micah Galland, Pledged Spring 1995 |
Spam
The chapter once had a can of Spam. No currently active brother knows why we had a can of Spam, nor do we know what has become of it. Maybe a long lost alum will fill in the mystery someday.
| I remember the SPAM but damned if I can remember where it came from. I think Jen Monoson had it when it disappeared, but I'm not sure. Its hard to keep track of food on a college campus because there are so many people willing to eat a years old can of sweet meat.
-Micah Galland, Pledged Spring 1995 |
Mustard
We believe the best condiment to serve mankind with is mustard.
| Elizabeth Humphries began the mustard thing. She interviewed countless brothers and non-brothers alike as to what they believed the best condiment would be for people. I voted mustard because I assumed that human flesh was sweet because we eat so much sugar and mustard would go well with sweet meat. Apparently others thought so too.
-Micah Galland, Pledged Spring 1995 |
Chapter Stud
Chapter Stud: The title of "Chapter Stud" began with the nickname "D. Studboy." A nice explanation follows:
The Crown Passes Once Again... -Jen Torns Found in May of 2005 while cleaning out the ΑΦΩ office |
| Top 10 Responsibilities of the New Studboy 10) Must always enter any room declaring "It is me...D. Studboy!" 9) Never leave a party alone (and his sister doesn't count) 8) Always refill the beers for ex-studboys at any party 7) Goes to APO formal with 2 dates, neither knowing about the other 6) Poses for composite picture in the nude 5) Must wear crown in the shower 4) Use brotherhood pin as a nose ring 3) Must shovel snow off the stairs at 31 West University daily 2) Strict jello shot diet and the #1 responsibility of the new Studboy... 1) Bleach his beard -Found in the APO EG Alumni Newsletter of Spring 1993 |
Top Ten Lists
| As for the can of Spam, I don't remember quite so well, but I could tell you where the top ten originally came from. Many, many moons ago, Tim Bassette (another of my pledge brothers) was the Sargeant-at-Arms, and his job was not so interesting, so he came up with the SAWA award - the Sargeant-at-Arms Weekly Award, and it marked some madness that went on the week before. That eventually evolved into the top ten lists, which were often a way to tell about a service project, conference, or some other craziness that we wanted to share with the brotherhood.
-Robyn Flesher, Pledged in Spring 1989 |