Howard Alter Jr. President's Message - The Rattle, Spring 1965
As appeared in The Rattle - Vol. 53 No. 3 - Spring 1965
The time has come to congratulate another graduating class. At the risk of repeating, I would like to make the same request that I made in the RATTLE two years ago: that as you leave the ranks of the active chapter you join the ranks of “active” alumni. Those of you going to graduate school on another campus I urge you, if Theta Chi is present there, to be active in the Fraternity's behalf. If you are leaving academic pursuits and entering the business and professional community — I urge you to be active in local alumni activity, both for your own chapter and those near you. It can be most rewarding to you and to the chapters involved.
Howard R. Alter Jr.
Above all remember that the oaths you took upon your initiation were not just for your undergraduate years, but were for life. Never say, “I was a Theta Chi ;” but do your part in making it possible for each of us to say proudly, “I am a Theta Chi."
In these times, I am reminded of a statement made by the President of the United States to the Cabinet: “The Federal service must never be either the active or passive ally of any who flout the Constitution. Regional custom, local traditions, personal prejudice or predilection are no excuses, no justification, no defense in this regard."
While this quotation is taken from context, it says in essence what I would say to all Theta Chis: The ideals and traditions of the Fraternity are eternal, they will adapt themselves to the time, but they will not change in concept and none of us who have sworn to uphold them have the right to flout them within or without the walls of Theta Chi.
I am amazed, yes shocked, at the upheaval on certain campuses today, at the disorderliness and poor taste, at the contempt for law, order, and tradition. If this is the face of education in our land, then we have failed miserably. But I cannot believe that it is, and I remind each of us that we are a part of the traditional system of American education in which we believe that it is "Alma Mater first, and Theta Chi for Alma Mater."
I am confident that in this tradition the values we hold dear will survive. May each of us have his share in their ultimate triumph.
Fraternally yours,
Howard R. Alter Jr.
National President
Above all remember that the oaths you took upon your initiation were not just for your undergraduate years, but were for life. Never say, “I was a Theta Chi ;” but do your part in making it possible for each of us to say proudly, “I am a Theta Chi."
In these times, I am reminded of a statement made by the President of the United States to the Cabinet: “The Federal service must never be either the active or passive ally of any who flout the Constitution. Regional custom, local traditions, personal prejudice or predilection are no excuses, no justification, no defense in this regard."
While this quotation is taken from context, it says in essence what I would say to all Theta Chis: The ideals and traditions of the Fraternity are eternal, they will adapt themselves to the time, but they will not change in concept and none of us who have sworn to uphold them have the right to flout them within or without the walls of Theta Chi.
I am amazed, yes shocked, at the upheaval on certain campuses today, at the disorderliness and poor taste, at the contempt for law, order, and tradition. If this is the face of education in our land, then we have failed miserably. But I cannot believe that it is, and I remind each of us that we are a part of the traditional system of American education in which we believe that it is "Alma Mater first, and Theta Chi for Alma Mater."
I am confident that in this tradition the values we hold dear will survive. May each of us have his share in their ultimate triumph.
Fraternally yours,
Howard R. Alter Jr.
National President
