Remembers Campus and Fraternity Life in the 1930s
The following is an excerpt of brother Newcomer’s recollections submitted for the Michigan Alpha Heritage Project during May of 2008.
I entered the University of Michigan in 1931…There were no men’s dorms to provide room and board in those days, so joining a fraternity was a comfortable alternative to a rooming house and eatery.
Phi Delt provided excellent dining, with steak served every Wednesday night. Room and board then was $75 a month, and tuition was $125 a semester in the Engine School.
A very strict auto ban was in effect with absolutely no use of a car except to carry out the duties of one’s employment…One lucky Phi Delt was Phil Garvey, a graduate student from Michigan State, who was allowed to drive. Many times his two-door car would disgorge 6 or 7 passengers.
Following my sophomore year, I took two years off due to the Great Depression. I returned in 1935…The house had a housemother, Mrs. Loranger, and then Mrs. Mott, plus the houseman, Oliver, and the cook, Red.
Activities were tuned to sports. Sports figures achieving success were football stars: Tom Harmon, Whitey Wistert, Cece Cantrell and John Smithers. Ed Wilson starred as a wrestler, Al Saunders was captain of the golf team, Paul Keeler was a swimmer and E. Reed Low played hockey.
Reed Low was the instigator of the annual Mud Bowl game with the SAE house. This was a natural for Low, since he had always been a self-starter.
I have many happy memories of the fraternity.
Yours in the Bond,
Martin Newcomer ’38