Odds and Ends

Mrs. Shelton Beatty commented during her 1997 Alumni Brunch acceptance speech that Beaver Dam Wisconsin “was the best town in the country by a dam site!”

Today Nu Alpha Phi proudly presents Caroline Beatty as an Honorary Member of the Fraternity. What a career she has had and what an interesting life she has led.

To give you a few highlights which will amply prove she well deserves the honor as she exemplified the qualities that the Nappies would like to hold.

Brought up in the small town of Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, she graduated from Carleton College Phi Beta Kappa in 1933 as a political science major and received her master's degree in Political Science from American University in Washington, D.C. in 1935. She then taught that subject at Grinnell College. She met and married Shelton Beatty, had a short stay at Stanford University before they moved to Claremont where her husband became Dean of Men at Pomona College. He became the faculty Nappie advisor and Caroline supported his devotion to the fraternity for many years.

Caroline has been active at many levels and in many organizations especially the League of Women Voters at local and state levels. She has constantly prodded for Los Angeles City and county reforms and has become what one friend said is, "Claremont's civic conscience."

Her devotion to Claremont and to Pomona College has been boundless! She has been the founder of the oral history program at the Graduate school and the research historian for all the publications at Pomona College where she wrote the column "Over the Years" in the Pomona College Magazine. It was during these years that Walt Zabriskie '32 #109 says she sent everything she found about Nu Alpha Phi so the Oak Leaf had access to every piece of fraternity history.

She has done far more than all this organization work--having raised a daughter who is a professor at Wellesley and a son who is a major set designer on Broadway. Caroline--as Walt Zabriskie said in his recent letter to you--"The privilege and the honor are all ours!" So welcome, Caroline, to honorary membership in Nu Alpha Phi for all your support over the years.

Join me in applauding Maggot #298!

Nancy Ringle '41 #237

Through grave misfortune and grievous oversight, your editors, Chris Hall and I, somehow managed to lose a letter forwarded to us by Zibby from Nancy Ringle '41 #237. It was last year, Alumni Weekend 1996, that she, along with Lee Harlan '55 #147, was inducted into Nu Alpha Phi as an honorary member. Not only did her letter of thanks go missing, but somehow we managed to bungle (ok, we confess, as if you didn't already know, we managed to completely omit all mention of this act) announcing this honor that had been bestowed upon her.

Further, in my ignorance, I indicated in the 1996 Honor Roll that Nancy was a Nu Alpha Phi spouse (by marking an "S" in the maggot number column).

Nancy, please accept our apologies for the original omission, for the "spouse" indication, and because we still have been unable to locate your letter. --Paul and Chris.

Bob Dozier '23 #3
Ken Smith '33 #138
Burdette Boileau '34 #125
Al Hastings '47 #295

Don Smith '53 #384 writes that John L. "Pete" Fish '53 #373 is not inclined to blow his own horn, but that he has supported the Pacific Coast Trail (PCT) with such enthusiasm and vigor that his efforts might inspire other Nappies.

Enclosed with Don's note were a few pages from a PCT newsletter which reports that "Pickaxe" Pete has hiked every inch of the PCT and is on pace to maintain every inch as well. Pete has stepped down as vice president for memberships of the PCT Association to assume the responsibility of Regional Coordinator for Southern California.

Pete received the 1997 Alice Krueper Award, given annually to the association's top volunteer. Way to go, Pete!

You can reach the PCT Association at:

5325 Elkhorn Boulevard, #256
Sacramento, CA 95842

And Pete, who has solicited support from us before, can be reached at: email_deleted

Originally reported in the Pacific Coast Trail Communicator, March 1997. Don Smith '53 #384 sent in the article.

Harvey Mudd College president, Henry Riggs, resigned in 1996 to become the self-described point man for the W. M. Keck Foundation's establishment of the Keck Graduate Institute of Applied Life Sciences which has received praise from both President Clinton and Governor Wilson.

The Foundation started the process with a $50 million grant toward the $100 million plus project at a ceremony in the Founders Room of Honnold Library.

Classes are expected to begin at the 125 student, 15 faculty institution in mid-1999...probably in rental facilities...with the development of 4 1/2 acres in Bernard Field Station beginning at the same time.

Originally reported September 12, 1997 in the Claremont Courier.

Diane Decker `91 #1019

It rained. I wouldn't say it was a total "wash out" but I'd like to think the 47 people who were planning on attending decided to stay home because of the drizzle. We ended up drinking beers and eating snacks at my house. Nappies attending were Kelly McDonald '89 #1001 email_deleted (with husband, Todd, and daughter, Sierra), Vance, Zach, and myself. A few "townies" showed up for good measure and we actually had a very nice time. I've got a picture to send in to document the occasion, even. Kelly made a nice Wash banner that we hung from the porch. My dog gave Sierra lots of kisses and then we all got naked and danced in the rain. O.K., maybe we didn't, but we could have if we wanted to.

[Alfie Shird '91 #1013, phantom planner of this event, apparently didn't attend. Tsk. Tsk. --Eds.]

I'm sure the Second Annual, Denver Alumni Wash will be even grander.

email: email_deleted

History Page

The newest section of the Nu Alpha Phi webpage is dedicated to the history of the fraternity. At present, the History of the Wash is the inaugural feature. There are two parts to the History of the Wash: The stories, reprinted elsewhere in this issue of the Oak Leaf, of the founding of the Wash as a Nu Alpha Phi event is one exhibit. The second exhibit is a graphical record of the 1996 renovation of the Wash.

This is not, by any means, the entire history of the Wash as it relates to Nu Alpha Phi. To complete it, you will have to participate by submitting your own stories or photographs.

We are planning several additional exhibits for the NAF History Page. For example, we intend to publish lists of fraternity presidents and kegmeisters, Oak Leaf editors and publishers, photographs of physical NAF materials (beer steins, pins, and paddles, for example).

Your editors can only contribute so much to properly build this oral and photographic record. First person accounts will convey the most meaning and depth. Your initiative and participation are absolutely required for the success of this endeavor. Please consider writing down your stories and donating or loaning photographs and memorabilia to the Oak Leaf. We promise to return any loaned material promptly. Without your contributions, we will lose many of the memories of significant events in the history of Nu Alpha Phi!

You can send letters and stories to the regular address for sending news, however, memorabilia and photographs should be sent directly to Paul. His address is:

Paul Nagai
909 Marina Village Parkway, #231
Alameda, CA 94501

This address is also printed on the dues page.

David Leighton ‘54 #401 straps on the magno-glasses and casts his fatherly gaze upon a bowlful of abalone fry.

David Leighton '54 #401 and his business partner, John Davis, raise abalone off the coast of Carlsbad using, in part, a $22,000 grant from the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County. While abalone are struggling in the wild, hatchery abalone are doing very well. Their success allows the commercial hatcheries to focus some of their efforts on boosting dwindling populations in the wild.

Postlarval abalone, having just developed shells, are encouraged to root themselves on rocky, algae covered substrates. These portable habitats are deposited in specially selected sites just off of the Carlsbad coast.

In the wild, something approximating one in every 1000 abalone survive (abalone spawn twice a year producing several million eggs each time). Through Leighton's culturing method, about one in 10 will reach the shallow, relatively predator-free home and, hopefully, contribute to the abalone's recovery.

Originally reported in the San Diego Union Tribune, September 18, 1996. Dick Strong '54 #413 sent this article to Doug Buckmaster '54 #388 who sent it to the Oak Leaf.

Pomona College gave Claremont a park adjacent to the old Claremont Inn. The part is named Shelton Park after Leonard Agee Shelton '32 #103. Mrs. Shelton, son Robert C. Shelton '75, Ted Gibbens (VP for development, emeritus, Pomona College), Peter Stanley (Pomona College president), and Suzan Smith (Mayor of Claremont) participated in the dedication.

Originally reported in the Claremont Courier.

[The Oak Leaf received the following from Agee's son, Robert C. Shelton '75 (KD) and found it worthwhile reading. It is his acceptance speech at the dedication of the park.]

Pomona College and the City of Claremont honored, Agee Shelton ‘32 #103, in 1997 by dedicating a park in his name.

My father spent almost his entire life living in the valleys at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains. This was a wonderful thing because he grew up in area characterized by a Mediterranean climate and mile after mile of citrus groves and eucalyptus hedgerows.

Interspersed among the groves were small communities such as Glendora, where my father spent his childhood, and Claremont.

Today these valleys are much different, having become home to people rather than groves, but it remains a wonderful place to live. And regardless of the changes, there are places like downtown Claremont that, for some of us, maintain an important connection to those earlier times.

Downtown Claremont and the adjacent college campuses are a unique, beautiful part of this rapidly changing area, very much an oasis amidst the change. That makes the decisions pertaining to the uses of land here especially important.

Any communities' public spaces are truly places to be treasured. They are the places where we come to gather. All are welcome to enter and enjoy.

Few communities, large or small, would allow their cherished public spaces to be taken away for other uses. As a result parks last for a very long time.

My father, as those of you who knew him know, had a passion for birds. In fact it was more than a passion as the freezer full of frozen species we had when I was growing up can attest. He was also proud of his involvement with organizations such as the National Audubon Society, Nature Conservancy, and the International Crane Foundation.

His efforts resulted in the preservation of literally thousands of acres of wild habitat. The setting aside of open space in urban areas such as downtown Claremont is, for different reasons, no less important.

Nu Alpha Phi wise man, Agee Shelton ‘32 #103, was honored by the city and college he served faithfully for so many years when the corner lot of Harvard and Bonita was formally designated as “Shelton Park.”

But I would like to suggest that if this park provides safe haven for even one bird, then the mission is accomplished.

Therefore, on behalf of not only my family but those who knew and worked with my father, I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to the mayor, the city council, and, of course, Pomona College for honoring my father with this park.

Robert C. Shelton '75

Pomona College Magazine reports that Lee Harlan '55 #147 has announced his intention to retire next year as director of alumni relations.

The Campaign for Pomona College has begun. The Nappies listed below make up a large part of the Campaign Committee reported in the Summer 1997 issue of Pomona College Magazine:

Gurnee F. Hart '51 #333 (Co-chair and member of Steering Committee!)
John P. Shelton '41 #220
Francis Wheat '42 #234
Dorothy Decker (Bob Decker's '49 #313 widow)
Donald Hastings '51 #334
Robert A. Hatch '51 #335
E. T. McFadden '51 #340
John Pendleton '51 #342
Phil V. Swan '51 #345
John M. Thornton '53 #385
Lewis H. Silverberg '55 #448
Paul Muchnic '62 #562

Robert Shaw '38 #170 conducted a performance of Brahms' "German Requiem" at Carnegie Hall on April 3 1997, the 100th anniversary of the composer's death. A New York Times critic lauded the concert in an April 5 article, stating that "there are nights when it is quite simply a privilege to be in a concert hall." The performance, said the writer, "layered depth upon searching depth" and provided a "stunningly eloquent overall effect." At the event, Shaw conducted the Orchestra of St. Luke's, as well as his own Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus.

Originally reported in Pomona College Magazine.

Robert Tilling '58 #499 was interviewed in a February 11 1997 Los Angeles Times article on the disaster movie "Dante's Peak." Chief scientist for the United States Geological Survey's national volcanic hazards team, Tilling was questioned about the authenticity of the film, which dealt with the eruption of a [fictitious] volcano in the Cascade Range. While the movie was "pretty decent, wholesome entertainment," a good deal of the volcanic activity was either exaggerated or implausible within the film's time span, Tilling said.

Below are listed work projects for the Cabin:

1. Fix the trail. Build retaining walls and other improvements of a permanent nature.

2. Repair the porch. Consisting of cement and rock work on the wall and installation of new pillars around the porch.

3. Provide iron bars for all the windows as an improved means of locking the cabin.

4. Paint living-room and kitchen.

5. Overhaul toilets and showers. Put them in first class condition.

6. Repair all locks on doors. Also repair the stove.

7. Repair and put the screen porch in good shape.

8. Re-outfit the kitchen. Utensils, cups, glasses, and other needed kitchen articles.

9. Remove, clean, and repair roof.

10. Overhaul the electrical system. Establish new trail lights, posts, etc.

11. Work over the alumni cabin. Put in respectable shape, cleaning, painting, etc.

12. Install satisfactory sleeping accommodations.

Here's the cabin maintenance list, roughly in order of importance.

1. Repair the roof.

2. Repair the trail, a continuous project.

3. Add a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, and replace furniture throughout the cabin (the mice have had their day) including the back porch which would be a nice place to sleep.

4. Repair walls (mortar and replace stones).

5. Rescreen porch.

6. Repair the back door (which has been broken into).

7. Install a light and motion detector on the trail.

The point of printing these letters is this: The cabin takes great care in order to preserve it and keep it clean, pleasant, and, above all, safe. This should not be news to anyone, least of all alums. The first letter was written by Chuck Shelton '35 #144 and published in the August 1946, Oak Leaf. The second was written by Matt "Cruiser" Cohen '98 #1139 in a July 7, 1997 letter to Zibby seeking assistance with the monumental task of cabin maintenance.

Older alums will recall the Cabin Pledges, something I've only recently discovered through reading back issues of the Oak Leaf. I am not completely clear on how they worked, when they began, when they stopped, or why. Regardless, the cabin pledge clearly demanded a financial commitment over and above dues on the part of active fraternity members to keep the cabin in shape. Of course, there can be no comparison to the commitment and drive shown by those brothers who built the cabin. While today's Actives do not pledge specifically to support the cabin, they do work hard to make what repairs they can, clean what they can, and maintain the trail as well as they can. In the long run, this will not be enough.

In earlier years, there was a much closer, deeper, and broader bond between recently graduated Alumni and Actives. Today, the responsibility for this tenuous connection rests solely on the wide, sure shoulders of Walter "Zibby" Zabriskie '33 #109. While the rest of us have certainly failed to support this connection by our inaction, perhaps Zibby failed by being too damned good for too damned long!

We often hear, sometimes directly, sometimes indirectly about an Alumni's dissatisfaction with some action or inaction on the part of the Actives. Aside from Zibby, which of us was there to provide guidance? Which of us was there to pass on the traditions?

While the relationship is strained, it is not broken. The golden thread weaves its way, even today through the most recent graduates.

Which us will step forward to shoulder our share of the load and ensure that the thread does not break?

I'd like to complete the roster of Kegmeisters. If you served as a Wash or Kegmeister and remember (is that mutually exclusive?) the time you served, let us know and we'll start completing the table.

Dan Wright '87 #967, where are you?