Respectfully submitted and sincerely dedicated to Charter Members Clive Johnson ‘21 and Walt Smith ‘21 and their stories about the Vernon Country Club in South Los Angeles in their time.

In the beginning, sometime during the mid-50s, in a quarry north of Pitzer, a small conclave of students would surreptitiously gather at the end of a week of classes, labs, and dissertations to assuage a week’s thirst and to release the accumulated pressures of academia with a barrel of beer.

In a secluded bower screened by rocks, boulders, and sagebrush, these votaries to Gambrinus, the ancient god of academic acolytes, poured libation as care, concern, and qualm vanished in effervescent suds and fellowship. Silenus, the indulgent preceptor to Bacchus, would have been proud.

This weekly Friday ritual became known as The North Pitzer Wildlife Society. It provided a safety valve for student exuberance, enthusiasm, and inclination to inanity. It gave opportunity for that happy, informal social intercourse so essential to a person’s mental health. There was conversations, laughter, song, jest and felicitous fellowship. It was Pomona’s answer to Heidelberg’s Zum Roten Ochsen......and John Keats’ Mermaid Tavern.

The time came when college restrictions relaxed in keeping with the decade which followed. Clandestine consumption in furtive fellowship was no longer necessary. So interest in the quarry sessions diminished. But the need for an easy, informal, happy association for the students of the five colleges still existed. Nu Alpha Phi to the rescue! Steve Smith ‘76 #778, in a separate story in this issue of the Oak Leaf provides a few particulars on the establishment of The Wash as the successor to the North Pitzer Wildlife Society. The illustrations he drew are his best approximations to those he drew on the original publicity posters.

Alumni must know that this social service to the five colleges carries with it heavy responsibilities for the Actives of Nu Alpha Phi.

Participation must be restricted to scholars of the colleges and faculty members. "Townies" must be kept out. Supplies must be maintained and financial records kept in good shape. Although exuberance reigns, rowdiness is not tolerated. Consideration for others is practiced in what one does, says, and thinks. This social discipline for the outside world which follows!

Here, the shy student makes friends. Here, the awkward boy meets girl. Here, the mentally depressed find fellowship which ameliorates. Here, the old Pomona "Hello" spirit pervades and one senses the marrow of what makes Pomona the great small liberal arts college it is.

Much of this popularity is due to the 25th Anniversary Wash, which took place on April 18, 1979. Kegmeisters Mike Glass and Jon Kott provided two bands and 20 kegs (hauled in by Rob Stellar’s "Beast") for the dancing masses.

By sunset, Mike and Jon were picking up most of the 600 cups sold that day, now scattered over the surrounding hillside. Everyone left with sore feet, full stomachs, and smiles on their faces.

Dedication to Wash-going has become so strong that the masses turn out even in driving rain. On February 15, at the height of Southern California’s recent rain disaster, a hearty band of approximately 80 loyals braved the weather to gather round the precious cask and wash away the week’s worries.

Yes, the Wash changes with time, like any other college-related function, but one thing can always be counted on. If it’s Friday, there is never any need to ask if there’s going to be a Wash.

In commemoration and thanks to those who participated in the grand history of The North Pitzer Wildelife Society, Friday, April 18th, has been declared Alumni Day at the Wash (!!!). It will be a great opportunity to meet nearly all of the Actives and Brothers from many years back. Bring stories and historical data with you so we can fill in the gaps in this brief account. We’ll supply the barley-pop. See you then.

Signed,

Co-Kegmeisters Jon Kott ‘80 #814 and Mart Pearson ‘80 #829



P.S. We, the above Kegmeisters Jon Kott and Mart Pearson are planning a trip to the Far East (Phillipines, Thailand, China) to do research on life. We hope to gain from this experience a new perspective on the Wash and Nu Alpha Phi which we could then share with the Brothers. Before we go, however, it is necessary that we indulge in a little money-earning, and so we are desparately looking for post-graduation work to finance our travels. If anyone is interested in helping out two dedicated Nu Alphas with job offers or advice, please contact us soon. Thanks. Jon and Mart.


Other contributors:

Jeff Backstrand '74 #752
Paul T. Hunt, Jr. '75 #770
Steve Smith '76 #778