From Indiana Epsilon Alumni, Jim Domina (Evansville ’68) & Rick Shipley (Evansville ’79)
Around four decades ago, in the fall of 1964, Indiana Epsilon, located then at Evansville College, participated in the traditional Fraternity Rush followed by Bid Night.
That Bid Night was full of enthusiasm and was electric with the hopes of eager rushes looking for a bid from one of the five national fraternities.
The Sigma Alpha Epsilon chapter house, “Temple 1,” stood strong, overlooking the frenzy on the College Circle.
That night, Indiana Epsilon took 17 quality new members.
Due to housing space needs, “Temple II” (the house next door) was purchased not long after.
Then disaster struck when fires damaged the two houses and much of their contents.
The 1964 class paddle, approximately 60″ long and 8″ wide, listing the names of the 1964 new members, was among those valuable, historical, and irreplaceable items lost.
A new chapter house was built in 1972, “Temple III”. The class paddles were hung without a fall 1964 class paddle.
In 1999, “Temple III” was replaced with “Temple IV”. Again, all the class paddles were hung without a fall 64 class paddle.
Now, nearly 40 years later, alumni Jim Domina and Don Crane (Evansville ’69), have taken action to replace/recreate the Fall ’64 class paddle.
It has been placed in its rightful place (in order) on the Chapter house walls.
It took four decades to recreate the fall 1964 Indiana Epsilon class paddle.
Today, as you can see, once again, the mystical power of the Phoenix lives.
